Page 25 - Cape-Camera-Nov-Dec-2021

November/December 2021 Cape Camera

A Member’s Travelogue

Captivated by the incredible beauty of Antarctica

by Elmara Willis

Ever since I experienced this strange and wonderful continent for the first time in
December 2001, I dreamt about a return visit, which finally happened in January
2007. The best time to go is definitely late November to early December, when the

penguins are either building nests or incubating eggs, taking turns to go and hunt
in the sea - while waddling past seals that are lying on the beaches growing new

fur. It was delightful to watch the interaction and love language between the birds
while caring, feeding and preening their tiny chicks. These are already covered in
soft downy feathers, sitting warm and protected on their parents’ webbed feet and

looking curiously at the world around them.

Both my trips took about three weeks, were organised by Quark course the fascinating history of the Antarctica – for somebody
Expeditions on the same Russian ship, the Prof Multanovskiy, like me who had been a biology teacher with a major in zool-
and had 43 passengers and 22 crew members on board with ogy, this was pure heaven.
the enigmatic Captain Sergey Nesterov in charge of it all. This At any time when something interesting was to be experienced
was not a leisure cruise adventure with a luxurious onboard life- outside - a few times even after dinner - we were called to the
style of elaborate dinners, dances and fancy dress parties, but a Zodiac boats (which could accommodate about 12 passengers
truly expedition-style adventure into a part of nature which to- each). Remember, it was summer in this part of the globe and
tally blew me away! With such a small group of people that were therefore never dark , although around midnight the sun is not
really interested and passionate about nature, the spirit on the visible, but it is still light enough, even for photography. All pas-
ship was always filled with anticipation, excitment and most in- sengers were supplied with boots and lovely warm bright yel-
teresting conversations. The team of leaders were all scientists low parkas/jackets which were not waterproof, but then it has
who gave talks about the geology, wildlife, weather, ice and of not rained in Antarctica for 20,000 years!

24 Cape Town Photographic Society