Page 41 - ELITE PLUS MAGAZINE VOL2

Wandering albatross, a vulnerable species.and funny look of a long black line crossing its chin resembling the chinstrap of a hat, was in between with a height of 72-78 cm and a weight of 3.9-5.4 kg. The International Union on the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified the Adelie and gentoo penguins as near-threatened species, while the chinstrap penguin has a relatively safer status.At every penguin rookery, besides the penguins I found four other species of bird – the southern giant petrel, kelp gull, snowy sheathbill and south polar skua – “the bad birds of Antarctica” as we called them, mingling among the penguins. Their intention was to seek every opportunity to snatch away the eggs that the penguins were incubating, or to prey on the newborn chicks. Once in a while, we saw penguin parents join forces in driving the egg snatchers away, but the bad birds never gave up. They would go away for a while and return with the same ill intentions.I also found other Antarctic birds – the Antarctic cormorant and Antarctic tern – which left the penguins alone and fed on fish and squid.Southern giant petrel and Cape petrel.Antarctic cormorant.The only mammals I found in Antarctica were two species of seal – the Weddell seal and elephant seal – which lived in harmony with the penguins and other avian residents of the White Continent.I said at the beginning that there were no permanent human settlements here. However, there are some exceptions. Several countries have established permanent research stations on the environment and climate of Antarctica – altogether about 60 stations located at different sites on the continent. The passengers of the Ushuaia had the opportunityto visit the Argentine research station Esperanza and learn about its research activities and the way of life of the scientists who take turns being stationed there year round.On the return trip to Ushuaia, the ship again spent two days crossing Drake Passage, but this time the crossing was smooth, allowing the keen photographers to spend more time at the rear of the ship photographing the seabirds that followed. Finally we arrived back at Ushuaia, ending our memorable adventure to Antarctica, the White Continent.Elite+ 39