pmorin Loc: Huntington Beach, Palm Springs

In the minds eye we see what documentaries and nature programs on TV provide for us as reference before we get to Antarctica. When you actually get there the reality sets in and you are hit with the majesty of all that surrounds you. The sound and smells of penguins and the seals, the massive vistas, all of the creatures you come upon and the glacial ice that is everywhere. It isn’t what you thought it would be, its better. When my lady first broached the subject of the trip, I was balking at the price tag for this adventure. She convinced me to spend the extra by assuring me we would get a good deal of time on the land as well as just floating offshore. I am glad that I listened to her, she wasn’t wrong. The zodiac rides could take you places that were otherwise inaccessible and walking among the seals and penguins was unlike anything else I’ve eve done. Plus the big bonus of getting to photograph it all! As I process the files I get taken back to that day and time and tend to get lost in my reverie. I think of New Years in Buenos Aries and visiting a ranchero to have authentic Argentine food and wine with a Gaucho show afterwards. I remember the sunset on our first day aboard ship and how calm the Passage was. The first sightings of icebergs and my first glimpse of the Continent. The Wandering Albatross as we crossed over at the convergence and how difficult it was to get a clear shot with the right angle to show the length of it's wings. And of course the glaciers and wildlife we saw along the way.
More to come later. Thanks for looking.
Pete

Sunset in the Drake Passage

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Wandering Albatross - The wingspan can get up to 11 ft with a body length of 53 inches

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Some of the first icebergs we saw

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The rain and fog lift and there’s the Antarctic Peninsula

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Previously posted, but I just think it fits in now

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Glaciers appear everywhere you look

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As we made way among the icebergs into the bay we got a brief view of a Penguin Highway

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Navigating the ice in the Danco Island bay

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We encountered some Orcas in Errera Channel. Like this female and 3 calves

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Taken from a Zodiac ride back aboard. I liked how the light struck the ship

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Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

You had me at majesty and reverie. Truly amazing light and scenes in yet another WOW thread, Pete.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

flyguy Loc: Las Cruces, New Mexico

Great shots! Thanks so much for sharing.

ELNikkor

Great photos and narrative, look forward to more!

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Wonderful tour!

pmorin Loc: Huntington Beach, Palm Springs

Thanks Linda. Yes some days the light just dazzles you and others it’s a rainy grey and dreary. But no matter what, the landscape holds something to WOW you. I’m understanding more and more that it’s the photographers job to bring out the spectacular in the capture. I am getting a little better in my post work and the things I’ve learned here help immensely. And yes there are more to come, I just need to find the time to get to it. Golfing and socializing is taking up a lot of my spare time.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Triple WOW.

William Loc: Mississippi

good time to survive@@
long enough to be there)
Bill@@@@@@@@@@@
I find the accomplishment
was awesome memory@
Bill@@@@@@@@@@@
the last three caught my
eye@@@@@@@@@@@

first frame is post card
from a well done life@

when you are there once
it takes focus like this@

the whale frame is super
cool to get close viewed

Wallen Loc: Middle Earth

Nice adventure. Congratulations.

William Loc: Mississippi

the ice burg frame defines the moment

J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

A nice set!

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Nice set of photos.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

An awesome set!