travelswithkathleen

I am a native in this world And think in it as a native thinks

Friday, February 7, 2025

Have a seal break

 


Between class prep, physical therapy, and a dead battery in my car, I haven't had any free time this week. But here are some seals in South Georgia to make you smile. Anyway, they worked for me.

Monday, February 3, 2025

One more abstract




A glacier on the mountains overlooking Gold Harbour in South Georgia.

Abstract ice


Closeups of some of the beautiful patterns made by glacier ice, rock, and snow in Antarctica. Water and pressure and erosion can create such beauty.

As long as it's outside our bodies, that is. I injured my knee during the cruise—I'm not sure, but I think it was when I was getting into bed one night and the ship's motion made me land awkwardly. I really twisted it, and I remember yelping. But although it ached a little, it didn't cause me any real issues until I came home, and the small ache just got progressively worse. By the time I finally got in to see a doctor last week I could no longer walk down stairs or get up from a sitting position without pushing or pulling with my arms. Anti-inflammatories and a cortisone shot have helped a lot, and today was my first session of what will be at least six weeks of physical therapy.

Something a little more abstract


The kelp that lined some of the beaches in South Georgia made beautiful abstract patterns.

I learned on this trip that kelp is not actually a plant, it is algae. I don't think this knowledge will ever be relevant to my life, but that's okay. I like knowing things.

Sunday, February 2, 2025

Sunday bird blogging




A chinstrap penguin in Elsehul Bay in South Georgia.

We also saw a lot of chinstraps in Cierva Cove in Antarctica, but this was the only one I got a decent picture of.

Saturday, February 1, 2025

Saturday reflections




The Magellanic cormorant nests in the Beagle Channel at Puerto Williams.

Friday, January 31, 2025

Penguin life


To finish up this round of looking at the king penguin colony at St. Andrew's, here are some video clips.

Hey, what's the matter with your head?


Even the most slender penguins appear kind of stocky when they're standing still or waddling along, but in fact they have very long, flexible necks. Which is why in any picture of a group of penguins you'll probably have at least one that appears to have no head, like the one on the bottom right.

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Beatles!


More penguins in the mist




There was a river emptying into the bay, and the banks were lined with penguins as far as I could see. They reminded me of pilgrims gathering at the Ganges.

Penguins in the mist


This was taken on the beach right after going ashore at St. Andrew's Bay.

You have to zoom in on this one, to see how the penguins just seem to go on forever, fading into the mist.

Monday, January 27, 2025

When the grownups are all asleep




A juvenile penguin in St. Andrew's Bay is the only one still standing.

The penguin just in front of the youngster looks like another juvenile that is almost finished molting into its adult feathers.

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