We finally arrived at the continent of snow and ice on Saturday. We have been blessed with exceptional weather; sun, low wind and mild temperatures in the 20s and low 30s. Approaching the continent, icebergs were continually around us. Some were larger than our 600' ship (remember that only 1/10th of an iceberg appears above the ocean's surface.)
Our stop for the day was at Melchior Island off the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. The Viking Octantus positioned itself in a small bay. About 9 AM groups of 10 boarded rubber Zodiacs to explore the shoreline. Visitors are restricted from stepping onshore here since it is an active research area. Our task for the day was to observe wildlife.
On the shoreline we found Melchior Research Station. At the moment, it is unoccupied, so seals have taken advantage of the area.
This time of year (fall), the juvenile male seals practice sparring preparing for manhood and the privilege of having their own harem.
These adolescent seals are not yet fully grown, but are still several hundred pounds. Penguins, the darlings of the Antarctic, are not present on this island. We will see them tomorrow on Petermann Island.
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