Antarctic Adventure #16 - Hercules Bay
By Susan Ellis of keylifejourneys
After a morning of perfection at Fortuna Bay and Stromness, the afternoon was icing on the cake. We boarded our zodiacs for an up close and personal cruise in Hercules Bay. The temperature was near record breaking for South Georgia - 21 degrees C. The water was calm and a gentle undulating swell made the kelp dance. Huge fronds of yellow-brown sea weed rooted to rock and splayed out over the water.
The cliffs rose high around us with geological formations showing there was no easy ride for the appearance of South Georgia above the waves. Layers of rock exposed vertically. Grassy shelves provided perfect nesting sites for the light-mantled sooty albatross with chicks. Great storm petrels floated by our zodiacs and penguins and seals glided through the waters. The lack of wind sound allowed us to be surrounded by animal and bird noises and the gentle breaking of waves on rock. A waterfall cascaded down a steep slope landing on a small stony beach where seals lay basking in the sun.
We were guests in the home territory of those who sojourned in Sub Antarctica in March. There was a colony of scruffy macaroni penguins, hopping all of a jitter. There were some distinctive chinstrap penguins, neat and tidy. Kelp gulls surveyed the scene from ledges etched with coloured lichens. Peace.
On this whole trip I had not experienced such peace as today. The gentle side of the Sub Antarctic regions showed me her smiling face. Her warmth penetrated my tense muscles and bid me tarry awhile at rest. Can I trust her? In this moment - yes. Indeed for any moment that exists can we ever know what lies there after? So at face value I let the warmth engulf me, the sweet sounds of unhurried nature unfolding her story before me. I allow myself to witness the whole and do not impose my will to change a thing. I hold the swoop of the bird, the hop of the penguin, the call of the gull the dance of the kelp in my memory to serve as a reminder when tough times prevail. This day indeed was a gift. I did not waste it for it was no less an awakening than experienced during the last Soul Journey.
After a morning of perfection at Fortuna Bay and Stromness, the afternoon was icing on the cake. We boarded our zodiacs for an up close and personal cruise in Hercules Bay. The temperature was near record breaking for South Georgia - 21 degrees C. The water was calm and a gentle undulating swell made the kelp dance. Huge fronds of yellow-brown sea weed rooted to rock and splayed out over the water.
We were guests in the home territory of those who sojourned in Sub Antarctica in March. There was a colony of scruffy macaroni penguins, hopping all of a jitter. There were some distinctive chinstrap penguins, neat and tidy. Kelp gulls surveyed the scene from ledges etched with coloured lichens. Peace.
Posted by Key Life Journey's Blog at 4/8/2009 9:04 AM 
Categories: Antarctica, South Georgia
Tags: light-mantled sooty albatross Stromness Hercules Bay macaroni penguins Fortuna Bay South Georgia chinstrap penguins
Categories: Antarctica, South Georgia
Tags: light-mantled sooty albatross Stromness Hercules Bay macaroni penguins Fortuna Bay South Georgia chinstrap penguins
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