A Photographic Journal

December 3, 2010 - South Georgia Island to the South Orkneys

The storm peaked at 10-11 meter waves, with Force 9 winds; call it 65 mph winds. The seas are churned pretty badly, basically there is avery strong swell out of the west northwest. The wind is out of the west presently, but was earlier out of the northwest. The ship is running west southwest so we are striking the big swells at an angle, and when at the top of the swells the wind really pushes the ship around. Awkward, compound motions by the ship, which have folks falling down, dishes flying about and even charts flying off counters on the bridge.

As a result, there is almost nothing to do. The gym is closed for safety, outside decks are closed for safety; the upper decks, of course, move far more than our Deck 3. No photography, either. The windows are all covered with spray.

Despite the weather, got the balance of the photos labeled and keywords in place. And saw two lifers from the stateroom window, which had its covers removed as soon as the wind shifted away from the north: Antarctic Petrel and Southern Fullmar. No photos, of course. Incredible numbers of Cape Petrels.

Landing at Elephant Island tomorrow looks problematic, absent a major change in the weather.

The weather didn't change, do neither will the photos...

Ten Meter Seas

Storm Shutters Up

Eleven Meter Seas

Birds:
Wandering Albatross
Pale-mantled Sooty Albatross
Southern Giant Petrel
Southern Fullmar
Cape Petrel
Antarctic Petrel
Antarctic Prion