@lisaniver: After marveling at the crabeater seals, we rounded a rocky shoreline to discover an Adélie penguin colony—the only penguin species found exclusively in Antarctica. Watching them from our zodiac in the gentle snowfall on January 12, 2025 in the Fish Islands, we observed their distinctive black-and-white plumage as they waddled across the rocky terrain. While we had already encountered Gentoos and Chinstraps earlier in the trip, seeing Adélies felt extra special—this was the species you can only find here in Antarctica. Our onboard penguinologist, Fabrice, shared that Adélies are the second-largest penguin population in Antarctica, with over 5 million breeding pairs. He explained how their entire lifecycle is tied to the Antarctic summer, and on other sailings, rough weather or heavy ice can prevent zodiacs from reaching these colonies, making our visit an incredible privilege. Adélies are perfectly adapted to life on the iciest continent, with behaviors uniquely suited to the harsh environment. These resilient birds breed exclusively on land, and their chicks hatch after 36 days of incubation. The chicks we saw in mid-January were still covered in fluffy gray down, not yet fully grown, but already preparing for their next big milestones—molting and learning to swim. What makes Adélies so remarkable is their exclusivity: they reside solely within the Antarctic Circle. Watching them in their natural habitat—the only place on Earth where they exist—was a humbling reminder of the fragility and wonder of this remote ecosystem. Mav, our skilled zodiac guide, brought us astonishingly close to observe their behaviors. We saw parents carefully feeding chicks, penguins diving into the icy waters in search of krill, and even a few territorial squabbles as the colony buzzed with activity. Every moment was alive with the energy of nature. As we cruised back toward the Ultramarine, the snowy backdrop and the chorus of calls from the Adélie colony lingered in my mind. Seeing these penguins—the ultimate Antarctic natives—in such an untouched, pristine landscape was an unforgettable highlight of our journey. #Antarctica #Adventure #QuarkExpeditions #Ultramarine #cruise #travel #penguin #adelie #Zodiac #TravelwithQuark @Quark Expeditions

LisaNiver

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Thursday 23 January 2025 21:56:17 GMT