I am sad... but happy at the same time. We have our cams back (thank you!), but our chicks are experiencing their first molt. The famous white stripe that sits atop the Gentoo head is emerging and the little ones are finally growing into those long flippers. The adults are also experiencing molt, although some are not, as yet, and they still return to the sea to feed themselves and their chicks. Twice this week, I've seen adults using their threat stance towards their chicks. It is a sure sign of weening them from dependence on their parents.
Just as spring approaches the northern hemisphere, in the southern, autumn returns with the fast ice. This means that these birds must molt and be ready to go out into the Southern Ocean before ice is so thick that they can't. And it will come. Surprisingly, there have been few storms, but then there have been fogs so thick you'd swear it had legs. :) The temps have been a few degrees above freezing, but for Antarctica, that's a heat wave. More and more bergs are breaking and there is less ice on land.
Darkness comes now and longer each day by leaps and bounds. Only a few days ago, the sun would set at 8pm (CST), but now by 7, there is little light. The sun rises for South Georgia, as well as the Antarctic Peninsula around 2am (CST). As the sun descends, the chicks and adults return to the original nesting site to feed, but when the sun rises and those adults who can still swim, head for the water with the chicks right behind them. Each morning, there is a huge gathering at the edge of the ice. The chicks must want to go, also, but they dare not.
Pictures this week are a mixed bag of events, but here they are--those beautiful birds:
Some chicks can really sleep. Notice George here with his feet in the air, while another adult looks at the rocks.
George and Gracie are waiting for RM and JC to return from the sea.
That is an adult molting and they appear to do it very fast.
Gracie is getting a chewing out from a parent. Again, this is a sure sign of removing dependence on the parent.
Looks like a small get-together of adults. As the chicks are no longer in need of protection, the adults can, once more, enjoy the community of others.
More looking at rocks and a chick that is molting.
Not a great shot, but one where that shows that chicks sleep in a different position than adults.
Not a great shot, but still, a closeup of Gracie.
George sits and appears rather content.
Even as the adults tolerate each other again, they still do not condone other birds in the rookery.
And again, there is more rock gazing in the back of the photo.
One of the few times I caught everyone all together.
And although, he was not seen much, the Chinstrap Penguin is still here and still in molt.
There is nothing more beautiful than a penguin chick.
George and Gracie and they've obviously learned from their parents how to groom themselves.
Another gorgeous sunset.
The ice is solidifying and moving as pack ice.
And lastly, the lovely view across to the mountain. Until next time, Ahay from Antarctica,
wiinterrr :P
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