Returning home from the icy south, especially at the tail end of an Antarctic summer, is a play of the imagination. I have an image of the ocean already settling with the winter freeze, the penguin rookeries now empty, whales heading north to temperate latitudes, and summer’s window, which tolerates visitors of the human kind, sliding firmly closed.
Every part of Antarctica’s summer offers unexpected rewards. The key is to drag on the insulating layers and get out in it, regardless of the weather. I took the images below during March and April 2019 voyages to the Antarctic Peninsula and South Georgia. It is always tempting to single out photos from ‘best weather’ days, but I’ve resisted. The times when we venture out in wind and snow, when the cold bites and the warmth of the ship feels like heaven to return to, are when I feel most alive.
Tabular bergs break from ice shelves far down in the Weddell Sea and travel north with currents to round the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. ©Robyn Mundy
This katabatic wind sprang to life unannounced in Royal Bay, South Georgia. ©Robyn Mundy
On this same day, the trip from shore back to the ship earned a nod to the skill and fortitude of my expedition team mates. ©Robyn Mundy
I’m a sucker for a spectacular sky. These lenticular clouds at Jason Harbour, South Georgia, demanded a stop in the Zodiac to bring out the camera. ©Robyn Mundy
Salisbury Plain, South Georgia. This colony of king penguins with their brown fluffy chicks is a sight to behold. ©Robyn Mundy
This young humpback shared itself around our Zodiacs and kayaks for over an hour, spyhopping, rolling, diving beneath each boat and extending a flipper. He/she was so attentive to each of us that my colleague Roger later said, ‘It felt rude to leave.’ Cuverville Island, Antarctic Peninsula. ©Robyn Mundy
This season we shared a voyage with dear friends from Perth, WA, who embraced Antarctica and got to experience every kind of weather. Good on you, Katherine & Kev! ©Katherine J.
writing the wild
Stunning photos Robyn! Brings back wonderful memories of our trip to Antartica with you and Gary as team leaders. What an adventure! Plus the bonus of a ‘White Christmas’ in the middle of summer.
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Stunning photos, Robyn! Brings back wonderful memories of our trip to Antarctica with you and Gary as tour leaders. What an adventure! Plus the bonus of a ‘White Christmas’ in the middle of summer!
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Thanks Lynne. Christmas in Antarctica is special and it was great to share it with you!
Rx
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You had my jaw scraping the floor at the photo of those katabatic winds… And then that penguin colony and whale came around! I’m utterly enthralled by the polar regions and photos like these are like catnip to me. Time to dig out Shackleton’s book again!
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thank you, Awtytravels — I agree that the polar regions are addictive! You have some beautiful photos from your own travels!
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Lovely to see your amazing photos Robyn – so spectacular! Hope you get time to return to your writing – The Nature of Ice is still one of my favourite books!
Warm regards,
Caroline Horobin
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Thanks for your nice words, Caroline.. I’m chipping away at a new novel. Hope all is well with you.
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Glorious photos, Robyn! x
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😊🐧
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Thanks for the memory joggers Robyn.. beautiful evocative images. I feel so fortunate to have been able to experience this majestic wonderland. Love, Marg x
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I agree Marg, such a special experience 😊👌
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Amazing photos Robyn. The visit by the humpback would have been awesome. Scary but awesome!
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Thanks Sue. The humpback wasn’t at all scary. Over the years with encounters, and with this one, we constantly remark on how gentle the whales are around our small boats, and how aware they are of their size and position. Given the human history with whaling, and whatever cellular memory the whales still carry from those days, it makes me love them even more. It feels like a privilege to receive a visit from any cetacean. 😊
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Hi Robyn
How wonderful that you have experienced so many wonderful moments in the Polar regions. The photos are wonderful. I love the non-blue days because of the atmosphere they provide – in my travels this past year they were a bit light on! That’s life 🙂
Warm wishes
Vix
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Hi Robyn
Must be hard to say goodbye to Polar Pioneer! The photos are great, and I love the atmosphere that non-blue days offer. Thanks for the recap.
Special wishes
Vi
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Last arctic season on Polar Pioneer this year. What a fantastic era it has been for all of us!
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Robyn, spectacular. Thanks Ed and Judy
On Sat, Apr 27, 2019 at 3:01 AM writing the wild wrote:
> Robyn M posted: “Returning home from the icy south, especially at the tail > end of an Antarctic summer, is a play of the imagination. I have an image > of the ocean already settling with the winter freeze, the penguin rookeries > now empty, whales heading north to temperate la” >
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Greetings, Ed and Judy. Hope all is well in your part of the world. 😊
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These photos are amazing! What a wonderful way to recap your trip. 🙂
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Thank you, Louise!
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Wonderful photos! Great to read of your journey.
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thank you!
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Dear Robyn,
Thanks for the memories. Polar pioneer was a cosy ship with just the right number of fellow expeditioners.
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We are lucky to have been part of its era 🙂
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Wonderful pictures Robyn. What a terrific adventure.
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Wonderful pictures Robyn. What an adventure.
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Thanks, Dale. You know what it’s all about! Rx
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