O'Brien Bay - 28 Feb 2006
Part of my job as one of the boating team is to accompany science out in the field and help out with their boating activities. Today saw Tricky and I accompany Saz and Andrew to O’Brien Bay while they collected soil, sediment and algae samples.
The day was overcast and cold, but it was nice to be out on the water again. It has been a while since I was out in the boats and I had actually forgotten how peaceful and calming it is out on the water. Conditions were perfect and the water was like a glass lake. As we motored out into the Harbor we passed a lovely Berg. The gray of the day bought out the blue of the ice and it was so nice to see it so close.
As we rounded the point of Shirley Island Tricky spotted something in the water and we went to investigate. It was a penguin caucus which had recently been the food source for a Wilson’s Storm Petrel.
Further along we noticed a commotion and again went to investigate. What we found was a Leopard Seal who had just caught a penguin and was ferociously tossing it around in an eating frenzy. All around Wilson’s Storm Petrels were hovering for scraps.
Once we reached O’Brien Bay all was calm and while Andrew and Saz busied themselves collecting their samples tricky and I explored a little. We found some amazing Jellyfish. They were bright purple with lines of pulsating, moving lights along their lengths. Just beautiful. This is the third species of jellyfish I have been lucky enough to see while out in the boats. I love jellyfish, I think they are beautiful.
Then Tricky dropped me onto the Ice shelf so I could go and say hello to some grumpy, molting penguins.
Once back on the water it was time for some ice photos. O’Brien Bay is a beautiful spot. I always enjoy being there. In fact, we have many lovely spots to visit only a short distance from station. This really is a fabulous place to live and work.
But today was one of those amazing days when just being out in it was enough to rejuvenate you make you feel alive. Once again, I had a great day.
The day was overcast and cold, but it was nice to be out on the water again. It has been a while since I was out in the boats and I had actually forgotten how peaceful and calming it is out on the water. Conditions were perfect and the water was like a glass lake. As we motored out into the Harbor we passed a lovely Berg. The gray of the day bought out the blue of the ice and it was so nice to see it so close.
As we rounded the point of Shirley Island Tricky spotted something in the water and we went to investigate. It was a penguin caucus which had recently been the food source for a Wilson’s Storm Petrel.
Further along we noticed a commotion and again went to investigate. What we found was a Leopard Seal who had just caught a penguin and was ferociously tossing it around in an eating frenzy. All around Wilson’s Storm Petrels were hovering for scraps.
Once we reached O’Brien Bay all was calm and while Andrew and Saz busied themselves collecting their samples tricky and I explored a little. We found some amazing Jellyfish. They were bright purple with lines of pulsating, moving lights along their lengths. Just beautiful. This is the third species of jellyfish I have been lucky enough to see while out in the boats. I love jellyfish, I think they are beautiful.
Then Tricky dropped me onto the Ice shelf so I could go and say hello to some grumpy, molting penguins.
Once back on the water it was time for some ice photos. O’Brien Bay is a beautiful spot. I always enjoy being there. In fact, we have many lovely spots to visit only a short distance from station. This really is a fabulous place to live and work.
But today was one of those amazing days when just being out in it was enough to rejuvenate you make you feel alive. Once again, I had a great day.
posted by Tracey in Casey - Antarctica at 8:42 pm
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