Antarctic Fox

The log of Rachel and Kevin Fox's trip to the Antarctic Peninsula in the Summer of 2008-9

Day 10: Elephant Island Part 1: The Birds

January 4 - Elephant Island, the Antarctic Peninsula

After our amazing experience with the whales we zipped over to Elephant Island, which had been our destination when we had been getting dressed just 40 minutes ago. Elephant Island hadn't been on our original agenda, in fact as a northern island it was a little out of our way, but our weather had been so incredible that Tim and Rob and Captain Martin had been able to show us more than most visitors got to see in the time we were spending there, so the night before when they asked what we still wanted to see, I (Rachel) said "Elephant seals!", and so we diverted a bit and now here we were on Elephant Island. However Elephant has more than just Elephant seals. We got to see three species of penguin all nesting together, including one species we hadn't yet seen. And we got to see the amazing Giant Petrels!!

Elephant Island, part of the South Shetland Islands, is more north than the Antarctic peninsula. It has more rocky land with less snow and ice cover, and generally has (comparatively) milder climates, and so plays host to a greater variety of wildlife. One thing you don't normally think about, but in several of the pictures you'll notice red or green lichen and mosses in small patches on the rocks. Further south there's no moss and very, very little lichen (it can take a century to grow an inch), so even going north this small distance, you can see the effects it has on the local ecology.

We got so many good shots on this excursion that we've split it in to two parts. The first one details the various penguins and chicks, and the second is all about the Elephant seals, so check it out, and stay tuned!

The Welcoming Committee - Arriving on Elephant Island, we were quickly greeted by this cadre of Gentoo penguins fresh from fishing. They followed us over the rocks to rejoin their nesting mates and chicks. - Photo by Kevin Fox



I'm Taller! - A Gentoo chick near fledging has almost reached their full size. They won't be able to swim and fend for themselves though until they shed their fuzz and grow a smooth coat of feathers to keep out the water. - Photo by Kevin Fox



Here We Come - This penguin parent is leading it's chicks on a feeding chase. When the chicks get to be this size both parents have to go to sea to get enough food to feed them. The chicks huddle up on the shore and wait for their parents to come home with food. In order to know which chicks belong to it, the parent will call out and the chicks will similarly call back when they recognize the parents call. That however is not enough, the parent also leads it's chicks on a bit of a chase to make sure that these chicks are commited to it. Now, if you want to believe that everything is always good for natures' babies, stop reading right here. The second reason for the chase is because two adult penguins are really only capable of rearing one chick to full maturity, but generally have two chicks to hedge their bets. Often one chick will fall to some preditor, but the chase also insure that the stronger faster chick (the one most likely to survive the harsh whether they live in), is always fed first. - Photo by Rachel Lea Fox



The Race - Gentoo parents call to their two chicks and run away, forcing the chicks to race after them. Since the parents only have the resources to feed one of the chicks to maturity, they test them with these races and only the winner gets food. As cute as this image is, this is a race for life, a literal survival of the fittest. - Photo by Kevin Fox



Fuzzy Little Rocks - Baby Giant Petrels in their rock nest. Somehow saying "Baby Giant Petrels" sounds weird! - Photo by Rachel Lea Fox



Petrel Take Off - A Giant Petrel taking off from its nest up on the rocks. - Photo by Rachel Lea Fox



The Watchers - Giant Petrels on their nests peering down at us. - Photo by Rachel Lea Fox



What A Bill - Giant Petrel - Photo by Rachel Lea Fox



Stretch Kiss - An adolescent chick lets their parent know they're still peckish. - Photo by Kevin Fox



Mutual Ecstacy - A pair of Chinstraps express their joy at seeing each other by raising their heads to the sky, flapping their wings in an ecstatic display, and honking as loudly as they can. The closer one just got back from fishing and will care for their chicks, while the farther (dirtier) one will finally get to head to the water and grab some lunch. - Photo by Kevin Fox



Our For A Stroll - Gentoo penguin chick out for a stroll. Parents are away, so baby may play! - Photo by Rachel Lea Fox



Chin Up - A chinstrap penguin on its nest with two chicks. The strap makes them look so regal and proper. - Photo by Rachel Lea Fox



Grounded. - It's easy to imagine that Mom and Dad aren't all too happy with their chick. - Photo by Kevin Fox



Larry, Curely & Fuzzbucket - But you know, his friends call him Moe! Baby Gentoo Penguins. - Photo by Rachel Lea Fox



Are you sure we're in the right place? - Two Macaroni penguins nest among the Chinstraps. Though rare this far south, it's not uncommon for a few Macaroni to raise their chicks with the Chinstraps, though even here they stick together. - Photo by Kevin Fox



Macaroni know they're cool - These two Macaroni menguins, raising their chicks amidst the Chinstrap colony, really stand out. - Photo by Kevin Fox



They call me Chinstrap - In this close-up you can get a better idea of how the thin, dense feathers make up the distinctive black line that gives the Chinstraps their name. - Photo by Kevin Fox



Now Don't Be Obvious, But There Is This Odd Thing Behind You... I SAID DON'T LOOK!! - Two adolecent penguin chicks hanging out on Elephant Island. - Photo by Rachel Lea Fox



Yum Yum - A good view of the slightly digested krill that the adult penguin is feeding to its chick. - Photo by Rachel Lea Fox



Yum Yum Yum - Close up of the krill feeding. - Photo by Rachel Lea Fox



Turkey Kisses - Really the chick wants to be fed, but it looks super sweet to think of it that way. Plus I swear that chick looks like a Thanksgiving Turkey the way it's standing. - Photo by Rachel Lea Fox



Two cute - even as baby chicks, those beaks look like they've got some serious history. Also: AWWW. - Photo by Kevin Fox



Mixed Species - In this colony several different specials of Penguin co-exist and raise theour chicks together. Gentoo, Chinstraps, Macaroni and... Tim? - Photo by Kevin Fox



I Want My Momma - Baby penguin chick calling out for its parents which are likely out at sea fishing. - Photo by Rachel Lea Fox



Molting's not much fun. - Right in the middle between a chick and a fledged Penguin, this adolescent is slowly losing their fuzz to reveal their new feathers underneath. The head is the last to molt, leaving the penguin with a frohawk, but that's still a few days away. - Photo by Kevin Fox



Me first! Me first! - Two chicks (nearly) tie in the race for food. See how eager the right chick is? Just look at his happy feet. - Photo by Kevin Fox



The Emissary - Welcome martian, I bring greetings from my people! One gentoo penguin bravely approaching me to figure out what I am. - Photo by Rachel Lea Fox



Rookery With A View - View atop a hill of Elephant Island in the South Shetlands. - Photo by Rachel Lea Fox



Castle In The Clouds - Gentoo and chinstrap penguins raising their chicks on a hill on Elephant Island. - Photo by Rachel Lea Fox



Traffic - "Don't Stare Gert." "But their plumage is all Red! How do they hide from the seals?" "All I know is they are using our road, and I don't like it." Gentoo penguins heading for the ocean. - Photo by Rachel Lea Fox

