The day promises to bring another blue ski, clear, and cold view of this pre-historic like terrain.
Following a brief breakfast, approximately 20 kayakers enjoyed bobbing among the floating ice and weaving their way around as each channel open and closed during their paddle. We start the day onboard a zodiac cruising around the bay enjoying the sea ice and wild life along the edges. The 43 mile tongue is a mere shadow of its former 100+ miles.
The afternoon was a mixture of zodiac and land walk. By this time the sky was cobalt blue with no clouds. Walking along the rocky shore is reminiscent of a movie set of a land thousands of years ago. Nothing seems to speak of humanity except us. We are the strangers in a strange land. Adelies greet us on the rocks while the Waddell seals merely move an inch or two every half hour.
We witness the attack of a seal by skuas. Whether the seal was alive or not remains unknown. Three skuas were aggressively picking at the large solitary seal.
Leaving the land, we board the zodiac for a close-up of the ice tongue. The light played on the side of the ice creating a magical landscape mesmerizing us. Atop the 20-30 foot shelf, an Adelie scoops us out and attempts to find a way to easily jump into the water for closer inspection of us. Although there was skepticism as to whether he/she would make the leap, eventually a big belly flop surprised the viewers and away he swam.
As Raymond Priestley reminds us “…a hell one day is liable to make a heaven the next.” Today was the latter.
Rizbee On The Road 