Antarctica Wildlife

In the last post, I shared my favorite landscape captures from my Antarctica trip. This week, I’m sharing my favorite wildlife photos. 

Spring in Antarctica is an incredible time. Not only is everything still pristine from the winter snow and ice, but it’s when the whole food web springs to life. As the ice recedes, light can reach the plankton. As the plankton grows, it supports the many animals reliant on it for food, including krill. The large quantity of krill is what supports much sea life, including whales*. The increased food supply is what also supports the extra food needs for nesting and young offspring.

We were fortunate to have seen many species of penguins, seals, and birds, plus a few whales. We saw penguins on two different shore landings and saw seals while cruising around in the zodiac boats. Birds were everywhere, from the Drake Passage to the harbours we sailed into.

Here are just a fraction of the photos that I took :).

* This is why whales often arrive later in the summer season, once their enough food to support them. We did see some whales, though it was too early in the season to see them in great numbers.

All photos from November 2023. Locations include Portal Point, Freud Passage, Danco Island, Neko Harbour, Orne Harbour, and the Southern Ocean.

Antarctica Landscapes

My interest in photography started with landscapes and, while I’ve branched out into other areas (e.g., wildlife, travel), at my core, I still love landscapes the best. 

I’m particularly drawn to wide-open, seemingly barren, landscapes. Some of my favorite trips, and photos, are from places like Iceland, Norway, and the Faroe Islands. 

So, when Antarctica became a potential trip it was the idea of this snow and ice-covered landscape that excited me most. The penguins were pretty cool, too (see the forthcoming Part 2 where I’ll cover wildlife) and it’s fun to say I’ve checked off another continent, but these vistas with this light was sublime. 

All photos from November 2023. Locations include Deception Island (old whaling station), Portal Point, Freud Passage, Danco Island, Neko Harbour, Orne Harbour, and the Southern Ocean.