Antarctica

[sorvju-f]

Two more weeks and it is time to move some of us to new great environment, Antarctica!

I myself am waiting this a lot as it starts to be difficult to find something new to make fotos/videos. It will be heavy trip as taking huge time before getting UW, but i feel it is worth it.

This time there will not be online reporting due to nonconnection. Some mails is possible to send ( satellite) and if nothing else I hope Jonathan is arranging somebody to move messages to our photochat. We will stop also couple of days in Ushuaia ( town of our departure ) both end of the trip, where I think we have some connection to send some pics and reports. There is some plans to dive also in Ushuaia.

Those who have interest some info of our trip can be seen from next link:

http://www.oceanwide-expeditions.com/

Let see!

Jukka

[David White]

That is going to be some nice ice!

[Sharp]

Have a excellent adventure to all of you!:D

[Daniel]

Have a safe and fun-filled trip... and remember to behave yourselves. Problem passengers are often abandoned on ice-cakes (http://ice-glaces.ec.gc.ca/App/WsvPageDsp.cfm?ID=10994&Lang=eng). ;)

[Ken Hawk]

Have a great trip guys, looking forward to what you come up with.

I will just have to suffer another Red Sea trip on the 24 Feb :rolleyes:

Ken

[Jonathan Bird]

I was thinking about the issue of reporting back here, and I think you will all just have to wait. :( We can post a little from Ushuaia when we arrive and a little when we return. But I'll be sure to write something up and Jukka and I will be sure to post lots of pics.

Jonathan

[sorvju-f]

I was thinking about the issue of reporting back here, and I think you will all just have to wait. :( We can post a little from Ushuaia when we arrive and a little when we return. But I'll be sure to write something up and Jukka and I will be sure to post lots of pics.

Jonathan

According material I have gotten from Oceanwide expeditions we can receive and send e-mails trough satellite...costing EUR 2,5 per message and no attachments. There is satelite connection which depends on weather and satelite coverage.

I think that we can send mails to somebody, who will move them to UWP-chat like reports...but sorry no pics during the expedition...only from Ushuaia.

Jukka

[Jonathan Bird]

Maybe we should make Pierre relay the messages, just to torture him? ;)

[sorvju-f]

Maybe we should make Pierre relay the messages, just to torture him? ;)

That's good idea...can we really trust him:D ...EUR 2,5 per message;)

Jukka

[Jonathan Bird]

We just need to make them LONG messages to get our money's worth. It's expensive because they send them via Satellite phone.

[Clay Coleman]

A tip of my hat to all of you. My teeth are chattering just thinking about it!

[Sharp]

I hope you have as powerfull batterys at you cameras as possible in Antarctica. I have noticed that when I´m diving at the winter time, my batterys last about 50% of compared to varm waters in sumer time.

I try to keep my cameras in warm as long as possible. If I take cameras out to could weather or water too earlyer, I might get problems. I also save power during the dive to turn of the power every time I dont shoot.

I have read somewhere that in Arctic Sea the water temperature could be -2 celssius.:eek: I have dived twice in -1 celsius water ( in the lake, where was very stong flow), but newer at -2. You friends have to take warm rom after every dive.;)

[Jonathan Bird]

Nah, we're going in the Antarctic summer, the water should be around 60. :D I'm bringing a 5mm just in case it's nippy.

Birdman

[Jonathan Bird]

Well gang, in an hour I'm off to the airport. It'll be quiet from me for a while, but I'll try to check in from Ushuaia, Argentina.

Wish us luck. Penguins, here we come!

Jonathan

[tarczy]

To all of you who are going on the Antarctica expedition . . . best of luck . . . be safe . . . have fun . . . and STAY WARM!!

Normally I'd say something like "I wish I was going with you, yadda, yadda, yadda." But, truth be told, I think all of you are nuts. I'll be just fine in my cozy condo here in L.A. while all of you are out there freezing your asses off for the want of a few images!!! :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Yeah, yeah . . . I know . . . I'm a wuss!

Mark

[solisti]

Have a good trip you all, can't wait to see the photos!

[Jonathan Bird]

Jukka and I have arrived in beautiful Ushuaia, Argentina. It's the gateway to Antarctica, at the southern end of Tierra del Fuego. The flights were easy enough for me...Boston to Atlanta to Buenos Aires on Delta. That was about 15 hours. Then I changed planes, rechecked the luggage (it was checked all the way through, but it had to be claimed for customs then checked back in) and 4 hours to Ushuaia on Aerolineas Argentinas.

Ushuaia is more developed than I thought. Reminds me of Bar Harbor, Maine--a town built around tourism. Tons of shops and trinkets and restaurants. A big giant cruise ship parked in the harbor. And chilly! It's nice and sunny, but in the 40s with a stiff breeze. And this is pretty much the equivalent of August for them (the end of summer). There are nearby mountains with craggy snowy peaks. It's very beautiful and desolate looking outside of town! I'll post some pics when I dump the camera.

A couple members of our group are going to do some local dives tomorrow. Others of us are going to do some topside activities (sightseeing local wildlife). Then we head out to Antarctica on Friday night.

So far everyone's luggage arrived. Happy about that!!

Jonathan

[dascubanut]

Glad to hear everythings going good. I'm really looking forward to seeing and hearing all about this adventure. I kind of envy you guys, but Antarctic diving is way down on my list of must do dives.
Good luck and safe diving.

Doug

[Neptune7]

Can't wait to see what I am missing. Please show us what it looks like in Ushuaïa and in mountains around...Try to get a group picture in Ushuaïa before boarding.
Weather looks better in Ushuaïa than home: we got a foot of snow over the last couple of days and now the temp is 22°F!

Best,

Pierre

[Jonathan Bird]

Hey Everyone!

The rest of our group arrived today. Those who were already here yesterday went out to a fabulous steak place last night for dinner. Many of you who know Argentina will know that they are known for beef. This is a good place to get some outstanding steaks, and we did. Amazing what $10 will buy you for food and wine in this town! We had a few nice bottles of Malbec (most popular grape for wine in Argentina) with our steaks and had a good time last night. Absolutely wonderful steaks. The better Malbecs are quite good. I mean, they aren't Bordeaux...;)

Today, most of our group decided to do some surface exploration since we are planning a couple days of diving here in Ushuaia after Antarctica. David went diving and I'll let him tell you about it. The rest of us took a boat tour up the Beagle channel to a lighthouse, South American sea lion colony and a Magellanic penguin colony. It was a few hours out on the water in a nice large catamaran with excellent views of the surrounding mountains, etc. A nice way to spend a few hours and get some topside B-roll of the region. I mostly shot video, but I snuck in a few stills for ya. :)

We came back, had some lunch and met up with the rest of the group. Now we're chilling out and trying to decide what to do tomorrow during the day before we board the boat around dinnertime for departure to Antarctica.

Here are some pics!

Jonathan

[Jonathan Bird]

A few shots around Ushuaia...

[Jonathan Bird]

1. Jukka eyeing my dinner.
2. Our group dinner on the first night
3. Me evaluating the Malbecs.

[Jonathan Bird]

Some views of Ushuaia and surrounding mountains from the water. And Jukka filming it. Ushuaia is the southernmost city in the world and considered the "gateway to Antarctica."

[Jonathan Bird]

South American sea lions at Isla de Los Lobos in the Beagle Channel, and the lighthouse in the Beagle channel. Famous landmark!

[Jonathan Bird]

Magellanic penguins on an island in the Beagle channel. Unfortunately, we were on too large a boat to get out and walk around with them so we had to shoot from the boat. Jukka had a longer lens and got some nice portraits. These are about the best I could do with the lens I had.

That's it for today! Tonight...we test the Argentinian Pinot Noir....with steaks!!!
:D

Jonathan

(I'll get Jukka to post some pics and David to tell you about the local diving.)

[daw]

While Jonathan and the rest of the crew took a topside excursion, I decided to brave the Beagle Channel, which is the body of water that Ushuaia sits on. I went with Ushuaia Divers which is the only game in town. When I arrived to go diving, I found out it was 150 USD for 2 dives. Not cheap. There were a total of 3 divers. We set up the gear on the dock then loaded up the Zodiac. We all had our dry suits on (including the boat captain) which turned out be a very good thing, since it was blowing 30 knots with 5-6' waves with white caps all over the place. We got drenched. I started out with a wool hat but quickly changed to my neoprene hood. We all eventually were wearing dive masks because of the spray in our faces.
The first dive was around a small rocky island. We got in on the lee side. There was minimal current. There was a ton of kelp, which in some areas was quite dense. No fish to be seen. A lot of crabs and other crustacians as well as a variety of other invertibrates. Vis was about 20' with temps between 43-46F. I surfaced on the opposite side of the island with wind blowing me to it and the boat a good way off. Fortunately they picked me up before I was dashed to pieces. The second dive was in a more protected area, but the underwater scenery was very similar.
I'll try to send a few pictures. I'll get Jonathan to give me a hand with that.

[Daniel]

Thank you for the photo's and short blurb on the diving conditions. Keep them coming when you are able.

[Sharp]

Lovely looking sea lions and penguins. Thank you.

[Clay Coleman]

Man, it's something to be able to be with you guys vicariously with near real-time reports! I'll miss it when you get beyond the Internet. I'm excited for you, but I'm a little like Mark--I get a chill in my bones just looking at the pix! -Clay

[Neptune7]

Thanks David and Birdman for sharing those great moments.

Stick with the malbec and the other Bordeaux varietals. Argentina is too warm for Pinot Noir and the soil is to poor in limestone! ;)


Special HI to my belgian friends Patrick and Bruno! :)

Pierre

[Christie]

Awesome pics and thanks for sharing...and that wine looks delicious! And Jukka, it is nice to see you again!!!

Here's hoping all your divers have an awesome adventure!!

[Neptune7]

Any news from our friends in Antarctica?

Pierre

[Jonathan Bird]

Hey Gang, we're back!! Just got off the boat and back to the hotel. We're going to take the rest o today to just relax and get civilized again.

Hey Pierre!! We actually had a pinot noir that was not half bad the other day!! Also, Bruno and Patrick are here for 4 extra days because they say you talked them into it, then you didn't show up....better watch out, they are thinking up ways to get even! ;)

While I was on the boat, I did a daily log so I could post it on uwphotochat, so I'll start uploading my logs. Internet here is not super fast, so we'll see how it goes.

Friday, February 27, 2009
Today we had most of the day to kill before boarding the ship at 4 PM. We had to be checked out of our rooms by 10 AM, so we packed everything up and stashed it in a closet so we could do something for a few hours.

David W suggested we hike to the glacier up in the mountains. The remainder of the group had arrived yesterday, so the whole group decided to take the hike together. We took 3 taxis up the hill above Ushuaia to the base of a chair lift. The chair lift took us another thousand feet up in the mountains (in winter, this is a ski area). When we got off the lift, we were near the altitude of the treeline. Then we started hiking up a path by a glacially-fed melt-water stream. The hike started out as a gentle slope, but after about an hour got pretty steep. Of course I was lugging not only an SLR and a couple lenses, but my topside video camera and a tripod. I wanted to shoot some time-lapse of the clouds streaming over the mountain peaks.

I stopped a lot to shoot video, which took a while because I had to get the tripod out of the bag, set it all up, level it and start shooting. I quickly fell behind the group. Julia, Jukka and David K hung back with me and we all took our time to get good pictures.

About an hour and a half after we started hiking, we reached the glacier. If we had been willing to climb a pretty steep rock face for another half an hour, we would have reached a much larger and impressive section of the glacier, but looking at the time, we realized that to have time for some lunch and to make the boat, we had to turn around.

The trip down was a lot faster. David W took the tripod from me and headed down. He had a method to his madness…without the tripod, I wouldn’t stop for video much. And as a bonus I didn’t need to carry it!

We had some lunch at a little restaurant at the base of the chair lift and caught cabs back to the hotel. Then we called 6 cabs to take all our gear to the marina to meet the ship. Unfortunately, after all the people and bags were in the cabs, there wasn’t enough room for me unless we called another cab. So, being cheap….I just jogged to the marina (5 blocks from the hotel). I beat the last cab by 10 seconds.

Now the fun part. The bags have to go through an X-ray machine to get on the pier. Then we discovered that our ship, the 210 foot long Aleksey Marychev was parked about as far down the pier as you can go. They had a bunch of carts to roll gear and it took us the better part of an hour to get all our gear to the ship. The crew was waiting to help get it aboard and distributed to the cabins. It would have been nice if they had a truck or something to move the gear. There were big buses and other vehicles driving around on the pier…so there really is no excuse to make the passengers hoof all the gear manually a quarter mile down the huge concrete pier.

Once aboard, we settled into our cabins (which are quite small or a ship of this size). Our class of room has bunk beds and a sink, plus some closet space, a little desk (where I’m sitting right now to write this) and a few cubbies. For me with all my cameras and my room mate David W with his camera gear, we have a crowded room! Our bathroom is across the hall and shared with another room. No problem—it keeps the bathroom stink out of the cabin!

Before we shoved off the pier, we had a training exercise to learn how to get to and into the lifeboats in the event of an emergency. I’m kinda hoping we didn’t need to prove that we learned how to do it! Lets just say that 30 people in a lifeboat is not something I want to experience again.

Finally we departed from the dock and waved farewell to Ushuaia. We had to make a 4 hour run up the Beagle Channel to get to the Drake Passage. The Drake Passage is the section of water between cape horn and the Antarctic Peninsula, and it is known as the roughest section of ocean in the world. I was hoping for a smooth crossing. The trip before us got their butts kicked both directions.

The ship doctor gave us a lecture to the effect that if we have ever had anything resembling seasickness that we take medicine RIGHT NOW. I haven’t been seasick in years, but I decided that I would slap on a “patch” anyway. I hate the dry mouth side effects, but I didn’t have to dive for 2 days anyway.

We were also advised to be very careful moving around the ship and boarding the zodiacs. There is no rescue from Antarctica. If someone is injured badly enough to require immediate hospitalization, we will need to turn the ship around and ruin the trip for everyone. And the hospital in Argentina is two full days away. There is no air rescue. Helicopters can’t fly this far. It really sunk in then that we are going to the end of the Earth. We might not be Shackleton but if someone is seriously injured, we are helpless.

We ate dinner in the calmness of the Beagle Channel. (A ship this big on a narrow channel of water like the Beagle channel barely feels like it’s on water at all). At about 1 AM, after we were in bed, the Aleksey Marychev rounded the corner into the roughest stretch of water in the world with all of us sound asleep.

[Jonathan Bird]

Saturday, February 28th, 2009
When we woke up the boat was definitely rocking! But I have had much worse crossing the gulf stream (admittedly on a much smaller boat). On a visit to the bridge, the 1st officer who was at the helm explained that this was the flattest crossing he had seen in a long time—it just didn’t get any better. His roll indicator showed that the ship was only rolling 5 degrees each way from vertical. Last week, it was 25 degrees! Talk about lucky. The bridge is impressive and all the controls are in Russian. Pretty cool.

Jukka commented that he felt perfectly safe because this ship, although owned and operated by a Russian company and crew, was built in Finland where they know a thing or two about building ice-strengthened hulls.

The crew did several nice talks for us: seabirds, Antarctic food web, and penguins. We learned a lot about the animals we would see—but not for another 36 hours! Between lectures by the crew, we ate, drank, read books, watched DVDs and thanked the Gods of weather for not clobbering us.

Outside it was foggy all day and the water around the boat looked nearly as blue as the Caribbean. Pretty weird for cold water. That just means there aren’t a lot of nutrients here. When we get to Antarctica, I expect the water will be a lot greener.

After dinner and a couple of nice bottles of Malbec we brought aboard, we chatted for a couple hours and hit the sack. Unfortunately, the waves got a little bigger during the night and we rocked hard enough that it was hard to sleep. It was a longer night than the one before.

[Jonathan Bird]

Sunday, March 1, 2009
We got up this morning at 8 AM—a very late wake up call because there is absolutely nothing to do while we’re at sea. It has been almost a week since I left home, and I am still not at my destination. Today the fog lifted and the sun came out. The temperature dropped close to freezing. We went outside several times to watch whales and dolphins that were not too far from the boat. I found it quite interesting to note the color of the water. We are in cold water where you would expect a lot of plankton in the summer but the water here in the middle of the Drake Passage is a deep, cobalt blue. It looks just like the Caribbean.

Today we had three more lectures from the crew: whales of the Antarctic, Antarctic seals, and a lecture about proper etiquette around the animals on land to keep us from scaring the animals or worse, squashing the chicks or eggs. After dinner (and another bottle of Argentinian wine) we had a lecture about how the diving operation will work, and discovered that they are short on weights, so we will have to dive in 2 shifts. Our briefing also covered what diving we will do tomorrow—a check out dive and a real dive.

After two full days at sea, I’m glad that we are going to be finally getting to Antarctica late tonight and tomorrow morning we will at last see Antarctica!!

[Jonathan Bird]

Monday, March 2, 2009
At last!! After a week away from home and almost 3 days on the great Southern Ocean, today we reached Antarctica. It was foggy and cold this morning when we got up, but outside we saw the outlines of mountains covered in snow in the distance. As we got closer, the fog lifted and by 11:00 AM it was bright and sunny with no clouds whatsoever. As we drew closer to the mountains of Antarctica, everyone grew quiet—almost reverent—of the amazing stark beauty of the place. It was right around freezing outside but with the sun shining and the water calm, it struck me as amazingly peaceful and idyllic.

Our first event was a check out dive to get our weight straightened out. We were told that we could only be underwater for 15 minutes. Since they didn’t have enough weight on the boat for more than about 14 people, we have to go in two shifts (we have 20 divers). We all found this very annoying and essentially unacceptable for a trip of this expense and level of planning. This two-shift weight-sharing dive itinerary is going to carry on for the whole week and none of us are happy about it.

While group one dove, group two would do a beach landing along with the non-divers to check out Cuverville Island, on the western side of the Gerlache Strait. It’s the largest Gentoo penguin colony in the Antarctic Peninsula. We put all our crap in the Zodiacs and headed towards the beach. Our group did our checkout and everything was fine. I was using a Henderson Ice Mask and though my face was warm, my mask was leaking, so I decided not to use it on the next dive. With my drysuit, wet mitts and new DUI underwear I was perfectly warm in the 34 degree water. Unfortunately there was virtually nothing to see on this dive. We saw some rocks and kelp and a few invertebrates. I have seen a lot more interesting critters in Massachusetts. It goes without saying that the water is very cold.

After the dive, we walked with the penguins on the beach and they were completely unafraid. The photographic opportunities were never ending. We finally had to leave because we needed to move the boat to the next location.

We had a late lunch while they moved the boat. After lunch, we went on the top deck and watched the icebergs go by which was super cool. I have a zillion pictures and video but nothing does it justice like being here. Antarctica is magnificently rugged, pristine and beautiful. Finally we arrived at Almirante Brown, the Argentinian base in Paradise Bay. Again we broke into two groups. The dive here was a wall and we were supposed to stay down no longer than 45 minutes. In the 34 degree water, that was about enough anyway! The wall itself was unremarkable, with a few sea stars, nudibranchs, anemones and kelp—and a lot of silt. About halfway through the dive we came across a HUGE jellyfish, at least 18” across the bell and more than 30 feet long. I posed with it while Julia shot some video for the Blue World segment. Soon we came across another, and then another. They were the largest jellyfish I have ever seen!

After 48 minutes, my toes were cold and we headed up to be picked up by the zodiac. We did a short landing at the Argentinian base to see the penguins (more Gentoos) and then spent a few minutes chasing a Minke whale around the bay in the Zodiac before calling it a day and heading back to the mother ship for dinner. Breaking down and cleaning up after the day of diving is a giant pain. There are too many divers and not enough space. They really need to either bring smaller groups of divers or get a better plan on how to deal with them all. Their strategy at the moment seems to be hoping that as the week goes on, some people will get tired of the diving and make it easier for the rest of us.

After dinner, I spent several hours dealing with pictures and gear cleanup from the day, so I would be ready for the next day.

[Jonathan Bird]

March 2 pics continued....

[Jonathan Bird]

A few more from March 2....

[Jonathan Bird]

Last couple from March 2

A chick getting fed by mom, and an Antarctic sunset against the mountains.

[Jonathan Bird]

Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Today we had a 6:30 wake up call for an early breakfast. The ship headed down the Lemaire Channel, on our continuing southern route towards the polar circle. This channel is between the Antarctic continent and Booth Island. It’s 7 miles long and about a half mile wide, filled with small icebergs and steep cliffs with glaciers. Very photogenic.

After breakfast, we arrived at the Argentine Islands, where we found Vernadsky Station. This is the former British Antarctic station Faraday, which was purchased by the Ukraine in 1996. Now it is manned all year and engaged mostly in atmospheric studies. They are also clever enough to realize that cruise ships visit, so they have postcards and other goodies to sell, as well as being famous for $3 Ukrainian Vodka shots at their bar, which may be the only bar open to the public in Antarctica. (Just about every research station has some form of bar for their staff). A few of our team had a shot or two and reported that the vodka was excellent.

Fortunately, due to the poor dives yesterday, many people dropped out of the dives today and elected to go on shore excursions. That left enough weight that everyone else could dive at the same time.

The dive teams set out for the first dive of the day, a wall dive known for good macro. On the way we came across two Leopard seals sunning themselves on a small iceberg. We stopped for pictures and although the seals occasionally looked up, they stayed right where they were to pose for us. We got lots of great shots!

When we got to the dive site, we suited up and dropped into the icy water. We found it silty like yesterday, but with a lot of invertebrates including anemones, sea cucumbers, worms, sea stars, etc. Although viz at the surface was 10 feet, it opened up to more than 40 feet of viz with distinctly blue water at about 60 feet. We had to be very careful because finning too close to the bottom created a huge amount of silt. The water temp was 32 degrees. Only a couple degrees colder than yesterday but it made a difference. My toes were getting cold after only 30 minutes.

When Jules and I surfaced, the boat was off picking up some other divers, so we hauled out on the rocks like seals and waited for pickup. Then we went to the Ukrainian station to check out the bar and get passport stamps.

On the way back to the ship, we lingered for a few minutes with the two Leopard seals, still floating on their iceberg and relaxing. I got some nice shots of these animals. One of them even occasionally yawned (bored with us apparently), giving a great view of its teeth.

After lunch on the ship, the non-divers headed out on a zodiac tour where they saw a Leopard seal attacking and eating a penguin, which I was sorry to have missed. However, we divers went to a nearby cove with three icebergs floating in it to dive under. They have to choose icebergs carefully for diving. They float around with the wind and they weigh thousands of tons and they can crush divers if you get under or between them. They are also known to periodically roll over as they are constantly melting as they drift. The underside melts faster than the top because of contact with the water, so eventually the weight shifts and the berg rolls over. It can be very dangerous.

We were given a few instructions on how to avoid being killed by an iceberg and flopped off the boat into 32 degree water with pretty decent viz (~25 feet) to swim with the icebergs. 32 degree water with no ice mask makes for an invigorating few moments when you first hit the water. Think ice cream headache on steroids. Fortunately, my face went numb soon and I couldn’t feel a thing.

The cove had a medium sized colony of Gentoo penguins, and also a few Adelies too. They watched us curiously as we went into the water. As soon as I hit the water, before I even had the video camera powered up, I had a penguin blasting around me. To say they are fast is a huge understatement. This penguin circled around me, about 8 feet away, so quickly that I could not turn fast enough to keep the animal in the viewfinder. I got the camera fired up and started shooting as much as I could. After the penguin left, Julia and I shot some sequences for Blue World with the iceberg. Although I can’t say that diving around an iceberg is the most exciting thing I’ve ever done, it was pretty neat. The ice is filled with little pockets created by bubbles released as the ice melts. The bubbles rise up the side of the iceberg and over time create patterns.

Later, we swam up into about 6 feet of water, right off the beach where the penguins were standing around. Soon a whole flock of the little guys were zooming past us every which way. Although the visibility was not great in the shallows, I still got some excellent footage. Now if only a Leopard seal would show up and eat one!

After the dive, we got back into the zodiac and convinced Jonas our divemaster to let us climb out on top of a small iceberg for pictures. Fun stuff there! Hey, we’re in Antarctica, what else do you do? Take 6 adults in drysuits and add one iceberg and you have 6 kids playing in the snow.

After getting back to the ship and spending a few hours getting gear ready for tomorrow, we settled back for some steak dinner. Overnight we will be making the run down to the polar circle. Tomorrow will be an exciting day!

I was shooting video underwater today entirely, so no underwater stills to post. Jukka and David will have some good UW pics to post! Jukka has some simply amazing shots. He has an excellent eye for composition!

[Jonathan Bird]

Some more March 3 pics

[Jonathan Bird]

Wednesday, March 4, 2009
We spent the night heading about 10 hours south so we could get below the polar circle. We awoke in Detaille Island south of the polar circle. Most people went on a land hike with Antarctic Fur Seals and Adelie penguins and saw the abandoned British research station, which is 50 years old and looks like the day it was left inside. The weather was not looking good. There was a lot of wind and spray, and it was cold and gray. But 6 intrepid explorers including me went diving in a small cove, just to say we dove south of the polar circle. I decided to take my still camera and shot some nice macro of sea stars, worms, etc. I did 52 minutes at a maximum depth of 40 feet in 30 degree water. COLD! Fortunately, my super warm “Waterproof” (Made in Sweden) dive mitts keep my fingers toasty warm where even people with dry gloves are suffering with frozen hands. I’m simply amazed by these gloves—they are super warm. After the dive I did a hike on land to see the fur seals and penguins. After a few minutes, I could even feel my toes again.

After lunch we started north again and because of concerns about pack ice we went outside the islands (braving the open Drake) rather than up the protected passage between the islands. It was rough as hell all night until about 3 AM when we arrived back at the Lemaire channel. Nobody slept a wink. We just laid in our bunks holding on for dear life and hoping Jukka is right about Finnish ship builders.

[Jonathan Bird]

A couple more...

[Jonathan Bird]

Thursday, March 5, 2009

We awoke in a calm harbor near Pleneau Island in the Lemaire Channel after a very bad night of sleep with the ship lurching every which way in huge seas. We prepared for a dive around the icebergs, near a penguin rookery, hoping for a Leopard seal encounter. Jonas told us that sometimes the Leopard seals can be quite aggressive. They have had several attacks on their zodiacs where the animals punctured one of the tubes and they had to go back to the ship for repair. The divemasters are very resistant to actively putting divers in the water with Leopard seals. There has only been one documented attack on a human from a Leopard seal. A researcher was snorkeling a few years ago and a Leopard seal grabbed her by the head and pulled her under, drowning her. Her dive computer indicated that she had been taken 70 meters deep by the seal.

Nonetheless, we repeatedly asked to be put into the water with a Leopard seal. Jonas finally agreed to look for a site with some mellow-looking Leopard seals. He said that when they are curious, they will stay with the divers for the entire dive and we would have plenty of photographic opportunities. So we all got into the Zodiacs and went to the dive site, keeping an eye peeled for Leopard seals on the icebergs. As if responding to our request, a seal came right up to the Zodiac and stuck its head out of the water to give us a look. Then a second one appeared. Neither attacked the boat. How lucky can you get? Two playful Leopard seals! We were sharing weight so half the group would go in first. I was unfortunately one of the people in the second group, so I was pretty nervous that they would leave before I got my chance. But Jonas was right once again. They stayed for the entire staggered dive. They played with our group non-aggressively for two hours. Once I got in with a Leopard seal, I was immune to cold because I was focused on getting the job done. I was in the 31 degree water for 70 minutes, first shooting video for Blue World, then stills. The seals were amazingly cooperative, not aggressive, and totally fun! They genuinely seemed interested in just checking us out. I had one that just spent 20 minutes hovering in from of my port, apparently looking at his reflection. He almost seemed to be making faces to himself. A group of penguins made a break for it while the seals were busy playing with the divers. Smart birds!

I experienced a slow leak in my Ikelite D300 housing—first one in 20 years of using Ikelite gear. I’m not sure if I messed up something with the port or what. I suspect I pinched the o-ring between the dome port and the port extension because that is the only thing I changed from the dive before it. The camera escaped destruction thanks to the help and quick thinking of the “Belgian contingent” of our group who brought their Zodiac over immediately in my plea for help, grabbed the camera from my hands, and quickly got the housing open and dry. They saved my D300 and Nikon 12-24 before any serious damage was done. Better still, my flash card with over 100 Leopard seal pics was saved! That was a close one. I bought them a bottle of Champagne that night!

This trip has been heavy on the gear failures, mostly cameras. Partially it has to do with the water temps and the fact that all the cameras are being handled by people wearing a lot of weight, cumbersome gloves, bulky dry suits, etc. You are just too bundled up to be much use once you are ready to go into the water. The other problem is that we are diving 6-7 people from a Zodiac, so gear is just piled on top of gear. Everyone has to take turns getting geared up and getting into the water. Already we have had numerous accidents and port scratches just from too much gear piled on other gear. I will likely come back from this trip with a lot of busted stuff. Working down here in this environment is just hostile to begin with, and trying to put 20 divers into 3 zodiacs with only enough weight for 15 divers is not ideal. For the cost of this trip, I would expect the operator to be a lot more organized, and at least have enough boats and weight to make this work smoothly. I can’t fault the dive guides…they are trying their best under the conditions. But the whole operation is generally disorganized, from the filling of the tanks, to the loading of the boats, to the storage of the gear. There is no place to put anything, even on a 210 foot long ship. We are drying gear in our tiny cabins rather than in a diving locker room. It’s pretty ridiculous. Still, I am very glad I came. This place is just unbelievably beautiful beyond words.

In the afternoon, we cruised to Neko Harbor, which was beautiful because we were surrounded almost 360 degrees by mountains and glaciers. Every few minutes we would hear an enormous rumble, like thunder, and a big chunk of ice would “calve” from the glacier and fall into the water. We weren’t going to be diving near there!

We headed out at around 5 PM for the afternoon dive. Julia and I planned to shoot some boat shots of me rolling into the water, etc. after everyone was diving. The water there was very clear and blue, probably 40 feet of viz. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much to see on the dive except giant amphipods and isopods. Jonas, our dive guide, had his macro rig and had all kinds of glee over the little crustaceans.

When we got back to the boat, the crew had prepared a huge cookout on the back deck. I have never had a sub-zero BBQ with music, dancing, ribs, steaks, etc. in Antarctica, but now I have! We had some great food and a few bottles of wine. Several members of our group got intoxicated…not mentioning names! My roommate David and I were in bed by 10 PM—we were tired from diving.

[Jonathan Bird]

Friday, March 6, 2009
We stayed the night in Neko Harbor, then set out at dawn for Jugla Point and Goudier Island. We visited the restored British Antarctic Survey Base A. We just missed the summer staff which left 4 days ago but we were able to tour inside and around the grounds. Then we walked with the Gentoo penguins and I was able to film some nice behavioral sequences. I decided to do this hike rather than the dive. David reported back that the dive at Port Lockroy (right around the corner) was interesting because there were tons of anemones, and whale bones on the bottom.

At the end of the hike, we came back and washed our boots in a dip tank on the deck because we were walking around in tons of penguin poop—which is rather unpleasant smelling both on the ground and on the boots. Even with this precaution, our rooms all smell like the penguin exhibit at the New England Aquarium.

During the morning, we also got news of a huge storm heading our way—so huge in fact that we are going to have to leave a day early to make it back to Ushuaia on time. It is supposed to be gale force winds from the north, so we will be sailing into it the whole way back. We’re looking at 3 days to get home. I’m not very happy about this—both because we are going to miss the Elephant seal land visit at Deception Island, and because 3 days trapped in a storm is going to suck bad. ☹

After the dive we cruised the beautiful Neumayer Channel and had lunch on our way to Wilhelmina Bay for the last dive of the day at 4 PM. Because of the weight rationing, we were slated to dive last, so we had 45 minutes or so to cruise around and look at the scenery while the light was still good. We passed a small iceberg with a Weddel seal on it, which was a huge bonus because I wanted a good photograph of a Weddel. That was cool.

The dive was on a wreck called the Guvernoren, a whaling vessel that was destroyed by fire and run aground by its captain in 1916 to save the crew. The bow is above water, but the stern is at about 70 feet. I was not all that excited to dive a wreck, but few people have been diving on a wreck this far south. What surprised me is that this wreck, and more importantly the rubbly bottom around the wreck, turned out to be the best macro site of the trip by far with tons of nudibranchs, sponges, anemones, shrimp, sea stars, isopods and even small fish—something not seen often around here so far. If I could repeat one dive of the trip with my macro rig, this would be the site for sure. I’m sure some other members of the group will post some pics because lots of good ones were taken!

After returning to the ship to wash and rinse gear, we had dinner and started packing gear for the long ride home. We are leaving a day early to be sure we can get back by our due date.

[Jonathan Bird]

A few more....

[Jonathan Bird]

Saturday, March 7, 2009
We cruised towards Ushuaia all day today. So far it hasn’t been that rough. It seems that the storm turned away and we are going to be spared the worst of it. I slept fine last night. All day long they had more lectures planned by the staff to help kill time. We watched a movie, and ate all day. There are drysuits hanging in the hallways all over the ship to get them dry. The place looks like a dive shop.

Sunday, March 8, 2009
We’re still cruising back. It’s looking better and better or us not to get clobbered. The crossing is definitely a little bit rougher than the ride over, but we are relieved that we won’t be getting smashed to pieces all day!

This is probably a good time to summarize my feelings on the diving in Antarctica. My impression (based on my admittedly limited experience) is that there is not a lot of stuff to see. Only a few sites have decent macro. Most of the sites we did were covered in limpets and a few sea stars, but not much else. Seeing an actual fish is a rarity. I saw less than 6 fish in a week. The macro sites that are pretty good have a nice cross section of invertebrates—but less species than you would see in New England. Of course, they are completely different species, so every anemone or sea star I saw was a species I had never seen before this trip.

A lot of the thrill of diving here is for the icebergs (fun at first, but they grow tiresome quickly) and the big animals. By far, the highlight of the trip for me was to see a Leopard seal underwater. We also got a few glimpses of fast-moving penguins underwater, but it was pure luck—most people didn’t see any underwater. There is a bragging rights thing about diving in Antarctica too. I am pleased that I now know I can do repetitive diving in water that is below freezing and stay relatively comfortable. I’m thinking about the arctic next. I want to photograph a Walrus!

Monday, March 9, 2009
Well, early this morning we arrived back in the Beagle channel. The water is flat calm, and the boat is no longer rocking. Now the bad news. Since we are about 15 hours early, we have to sit here until midnight, to wait for the pilot from Ushuaia to board the boat and bring the ship to the dock. (They do not allow the captain of the ship to do it). We can’t go to port early, as we are too early and there is presumably no dock space for us. (The real reason I suspect has more to do with additional docking fees). We also are not allowed to get off the ship until we go through customs, so we can’t go for a dive here today. That's their story and they are sticking to it. We essentially have to spend the whole day on the ship sitting here. Makes no sense to me. So everyone is packing and drying gear. <yawn> Might be time for a nap. On the plus side, we got very lucky by not getting clobbered by the storm. The crew informs us that we had the best weather of any trip this season. It was sunny and clear virtually every day. On the days that started out foggy and clammy, the sun was out by noon. We had temps above freezing every day. Now that we are back in Argentina, its 50 degrees outside! It feels good to be able to go outside without a coat.

Tonight we had a guest slide show and all the divers showed pictures on the projector. It was great...so many critters I missed that others found! And Bruno showed a really well done video. He had enough time during the crossing to edit together a 20 minute thing with music. Very well done. He even sold a few to the rest of the people on the boat!

Tuesday, March 10, 2009
We disembarked from the ship this morning and loaded half a dozen taxis to get ourselves back to the Hotel Austral. We are now back in a place that is not rocking, with an internet connection and decent coffee. Life is good.

We are planning a couple dives here in the Beagle Channel tomorrow to check out the local marine life--part of my Blue World segment. For today--some pizza, and a shower!!

I hope you have all enjoyed my trip report...and stand by because Jukka, David and others will be adding much more information, impressions, and most importantly, pictures.

Jonathan

[solisti]

Good to have you all back safely. Looks like it was a succesfull trip. Great shots Jonathan. Like the seal looking at its reflection :D

...and waiting to see what all you others post!

[scubagirl]

Great trip report and photos Jonathan! Sounds like it was a great experience, photo equipment and dive logistics issues notwithstanding.

[Ken Hawk]

Great report, thanks for posting.

Whats with the penguin feet pic ;)

Thanks Ken

[Andrew]

Wonderful trip report Jonathan, thanks for sharing it with us. Can't wait to see the pictures from the rest of the gang and of course the blue world footage when released! :D

Andrew

[Jonathan Bird]

Whats with the penguin feet pic ;)


Just for you! :)

[Jonathan Bird]

Can't wait to see the pictures from the rest of the gang and of course the blue world footage when released! :D


I can't wait to have some time to sit down and edit it. I haven't had any time to review much of it. I'll get on it when I get home!

Jonathan

[Sharp]

Excellent report Jonathan! Glad that you trip was succes.:)

[Clay Coleman]

Jonathan: My jaw is on the floor, superlatives are inadequate. The leopard seal shots are terrific. Period. -Clay

[Neptune7]

WOW!
Amazing trip. Cannot wait to see the videos.
Jonathan, before you leave, buy a video from Bruno for moi.
I am happy for you guys that everyone had a good trip.

Pierre

[Jonathan Bird]

Jonathan: My jaw is on the floor, superlatives are inadequate. The leopard seal shots are terrific. Period. -Clay

Thanks Clay. That seal was very cooperative, and really seemed to like my port the best. So much for man-eating Leopard seals!


Jonathan, before you leave, buy a video from Bruno for moi.
I am happy for you guys that everyone had a good trip.


Hey Mon Ami, his video is in PAL....not sure you can play it.

[tarczy]

Jonathan-

Welcome back to civilization!

Great trip report. Took me a day to read it all (with work in between sessions). I can tell you had a lot of down-time cuz your report is long and detailed. :D Pics are absolutely fabulous. Mah fav is the Leopard Seal looking straight into the lens.

I still think you're all crazy . . . but it looks like you had a great time. Count me out for your Polar North expedition. :rolleyes: Too freakin' c-c-c-cold!

[Jonathan Bird]

Hey Gang,
Bruno has uploaded some videos to youtube. Go to his channel and check out the Ushuaia and Antarctica videos.

http://www.youtube.com/user/underwatermovieman

Mark, not a lot of down time actually. I had to make a concerted effort to carve out some time every day to write a basic log before I forgot what we did that day. Then I spent some time on the crossing back (we had almost 3 days) using those notes to create a more detailed report.

It was a very busy trip, always preparing something, fixing something, running outside for shots of scenery, etc. I'm looking forward to some quiet time in my office when I get home!

Jonathan

[tkelly]

Some nice shots. What was the temperature?

[Sharp]

Hey Gang,
Bruno has uploaded some videos to youtube. Go to his channel and check out the Ushuaia and Antarctica videos.

http://www.youtube.com/user/underwatermovieman

Jonathan

Those videos are excellent!:D

[Jonathan Bird]

Todd, the temps are buried in the write up, but it varied from 30-34 degrees. So it ranged from cold to really cold. But I was prepared and actually quite comfortable on all my dives. Put it this way: I never ended a dive due to temperature.

Jonathan

[Neptune7]

Hey Mon Ami, his video is in PAL....not sure you can play it.

They play very well on a computer unless he puts a DVD zone on it. Then I will have to dezone it but I doubt he'd do that. Bring one anyway I am a masochist. I really want to show Edith what I missed for her. :rolleyes:

Pierre

[Jonathan Bird]

Hey Pierre,
Bruno was selling the videos but shipping them from home because he didn't have media or packaging. He posted the thing on YouTube as well. He and the pair of Patricks decided that it was boring sitting around in Ushuaia so they left yesterday. They didn't even want to dive. Jukka, Julia, Anna and I did a couple dives yesterday and it was really cool. Not great viz, but all kinds of weird critters and THICK kelp forests. At 48 degrees, the temperature was balmy to us. Will make a nice Blue World segment.

Today (our last day) we rented a car and drove around the national park. It was not that exciting, but we shot some video of the area which is quite beautiful. Now Jukka and I are packing our gear...a lot of gear to tote home. Jukka leaves first thing in the morning. The rest of us leave at 3 PM for the long flight home. I'm exhausted. This has been a very long and tiring trip and I miss my kids and mon cheri.

Tonight we are going out to our favorite steak place for the third and final time. You should taste the steak you can get for $10 in this town! Goes nice with one of their Malbecs. Can't find a Bordeaux varietal. They have Merlots and Cabs, but no proper right bank-style varietal. I'm not crazy about Malbec. The best one we can find is still not as good to me as an average Bordeaux. But hey, when in Rome....

I did find a simple and nice Pinot Noir though. It's uncomplicated with not much finish, but fruity, not to sweet, not too dry, super mild tannins with a color of cranberry or ruby. I like it!

Jonathan

[Neptune7]

Enjoy the last few hours in the southernmost city in the world. Can't wait to see some of your sequences. Have a good trip back home!
Talk to you soon.

Pierre

[Jonathan Bird]

Thanks Pierre! We missed you on this trip mon ami. I'm looking forward to BC already where the water will be positively balmy by comparison.

Last night we had one last steak dinner and Jukka insisted on buying not only the entire meal but the most expensive bottle of Malbec in the place. (It was good...definitely the best Malbec yet. Name is escaping me right now. My cork collection is growing.) Then we came back here for a little coffee and off to bed.

Sadly, Jukka left this morning. Now it's just the three of us left and we are leaving at 3 PM. We have a couple hours to kill after checking out of the hotel this morning. But since we have so much luggage, I think we are going to just hang out here in the hotel lobby until it's time to head to the airport.

Now the long trip home....

Jukka has promised a long string of his excellent pictures when he gets home. But he likes to post them a couple at a time, to keep the thread alive.

Jonathan

[Ken Hawk]

Good old Jukka :D

Would you post up a link to the gloves you wore please Jonathan.

Thanks Ken

[Neptune7]

Good old Jukka :D

Would you post up a link to the gloves you wore please Jonathan.

Thanks Ken

Good thinking Ken! I am also most interested. I am sure they will be welcome for "balmy" BC! :confused:

Pierre

[Sea Squirt]

Hi to the BC crew,
I'm wondering if the gloves would be good for the trip pack mule?:rolleyes:
I've been told I might be spending some quality time on a zodiac.
Linda

[sorvju-f]

Hi gang!

I am back home now and everything is OK!

Jonathan have made great report so I will just add some details and pictures.

My pictures are coming trough one server and loading of them there takes time...internet speed in Ushuaia was too slow to do that as there was also something else to do every day.

Overall feeling was that top-side was more than I expected and diving was not what I expected...I will explain more the reason for this comment later.

Underwater the kelp-forest was something, what I wanted to see and that was as beutiful as I expected.

Once I was wondering that where is the current as I was kicking normally, but not moving anywhere...looking back told me that I was pulling one "forest" behind me. It was stucked to my knife, which was binded to my leg. You can really get to problems if you enter into thick part of kelp forest. I just cutted them away.

Sun coming trough the kelps is unbelievable beautiful. ( that I have in my videomaterial...as you know coming later )

In Antarctica the kelps were just lying in the bottom so the best kelps dives were our last dives in Ushuai. Those "fruits" are like a floats that kelp after growing fills with air and they keep the kelp growing towards surface.

The kelps are dying in wintertime...in Antarctica the summer starts to be over now...maybe that was the reason they were lying in the bottom there. As the summer comes, they start to grow again...with a speed of even 18 cm per day.

I had totally 9 dives during the trip ( I am used to totally other figures of dives during 3 weeks trip )...one was 15 minutes test dive...so number of dives was also limiting number of pics underwater as 5 dives I had video with me.

Anyhow here is couple of pics to start my reporting, but as you know after long trip there is something else to do also so I will continue reporting later.

Hope all the members of team entered home safely.

Jukka

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Crab%201%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Kelps%201%20800.jpg/full

[sorvju-f]

"Senior Vice President of European Operations"

This is great honour to me...new nomination:p :D ;) :cool:

Jukka

[Ken Hawk]

"Senior Vice President of European Operations"

This is great honour to me...new nomination:p :D ;) :cool:

Jukka

We will all bow before you :D

Welcome back, looking forward to more of your pics.

Ken

[sorvju-f]

We will all bow before you :D

Welcome back, looking forward to more of your pics.

Ken

Thanks Ken!

I try to have some story with the pics here...but if you are in hurry there is already some more in my homepage...

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi

Jukka

PS I understood that you have been in RS...something new there?

[Ken Hawk]

Thanks Ken!

I try to have some story with the pics here...but if you are in hurry there is already some more in my homepage...

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi

Jukka

PS I understood that you have been in RS...something new there?

My report is a bit over shaddowed by you lads ;)

Hope you took a lot more than 15 shots :D

What are the 2 birds together?

[sorvju-f]

My report is a bit over shaddowed by you lads ;)

Hope you took a lot more than 15 shots :D

What are the 2 birds together?

They are unknown species to me, latin name is Polyporus plancus...local name Carancho...maybe google helps.

Totally 4200 shots, but 95 % topside.

Jukka

[Sharp]

Glad to to have you back again Jukka.:)

It was a looong trip for you.

Now you have lots of material ecpesially for editing.

[sorvju-f]

Now you have lots of material ecpesially for editing.

I know, I know:( :(

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

In Ushuaia was so many crabs that if you took regulator out of the mouth...immediately you had mouth crab in your mouth:D :D :D

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Mouth%20crab%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[solisti]

Welcome home Jukka!

That kelp photo is amazing, it looks like they are jumping out of the picture! (I actually tried to touch them on my screen... :eek: )

I took a look of your gallery and was amazed how big the leopard seals actually are. I though they would be smaller. (shows how much I know... :rolleyes: )

[Sharp]

In Ushuaia was so many crabs that if you took regulator out of the mouth...immediately you had mouth crab in your mouth:D :D :D

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Mouth%20crab%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

Heh, hee...:D First I tough that crb was sitting on the top of the flounder (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platichthys_flesus). ;)

[solisti]

Heh, hee...:D First I tough that crb was sitting on the top of the flounder (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platichthys_flesus). ;)

Yeah, that was my first impression also! Funny!

[sorvju-f]

Welcome home Jukka!

That kelp photo is amazing, it looks like they are jumping out of the picture! (I actually tried to touch them on my screen... :eek: )

I took a look of your gallery and was amazed how big the leopard seals actually are. I though they would be smaller. (shows how much I know... :rolleyes: )

Thanks Solisti and Sharp.

Yes it was big and when you see it UW add 25% to what you see...it was like tyrannosauros REX:D

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

So it is time to start reporting.

Flights from Helsinki to Paris and to Buenos Aires and Ushuai went without no problems...actually I didn't have to pay excess fee for my 80 kg gears at all:p

Airport in Ushuai is front of town and very shor t distance from center of town.

Ushuaia is little town with the today population of 64 000 and it is the capital of Argentina province of Tierra del Fuego. It is also as southernmost city in the world. It is surrounded in the north by Martial mountains and south 240 km long Beagle channel. Beagle channel is 5 km wide at its narrowest point. Beagle channel is connecting Pasific sea to Atlantic sea.

Beagle channel is today protected alternative to sail around this bad reputation Cape Horn island, about 150 km southeast from Ushuia, area which has been final destination to many ships.

In the past Ushuaia was centered on prisons for serious criminals.

Today it is idyllic town, which gets it main incomes from tourism. Ushuaia and the owner family of our hotel Astral will stay warmly in my mind.

Map:

http://maps.google.fi/maps?hl=fi&q=ushuaia+argentina&um=1&ie=UTF-8&split=0&gl=fi&ei=n6y-Sb31O4iv-AafmKzEBA&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&resnum=1&ct=image

Some pics:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Ushuaia%20town%201%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Ushuaia%20town%202%20800.jpg/full

Our hotel street:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Ushuaia%20town%203%20800.jpg/full

Our hotel:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Ushuaia%20town%204%20800.jpg/full

...continue...

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

More pics from Ushuaia:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Ushuaia%20town%205%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Ushuaia%20town%206%20800.jpg/full

The main shopping streets with lot of restaurants:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Ushuaia%20town%207%20800.jpg/full

From south:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Ushuaia%20town%208%20800.jpg/full

...continue...

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

More pics from Ushuaia:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Ushuaia%20town%209%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Ushuaia%20town%2010%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Ushuaia%20town%2011%20800.JPG/full

Here you can also see Beagle channel opening to Atlantic direction right up corner:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Ushuaia%20town%2012%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[Jonathan Bird]

Great shots as usual Jukka! I can't wait to see all the great stuff you shot.

I just got home and it was a nightmare.

Julia, Anna and I flew out of Ushuaia on Aerolinas Argentinas (AA for short so I don't have to keep typing it) and they told us that our baggage fees would cover us all the way home. (On the way down, bags were "checked" all the way, but actually they were just tagged all the way and we had to claim them and manually re-check them in another terminal in Buenos Aires). However on the way home, they only tagged the bags to Buenos Aires, but claimed that Delta would honor the excess baggage fee (about $300) all the way because they have a partnership. Yeah, right.

We arrived in Buenos Aires 10 minutes late, and the bags took another 20 minutes to come out. We ran to the Delta counter and they had closed the Delta flight and wouldn't let us on (even though it was more than 45 minutes before they were scheduled to take off). We argued, begged and pleaded and it did us no good. They told us to go complain to AA to fix it because they were the ones who were late. We went back over there, they told us they were not late, get lost, and essentially slammed the door in our face.

We went back to Delta and they told us that we were to be treated as if we missed the flight, because we were late and the connecting airline was not Delta. So they said that if AA won't help, we can get on the flight the next day, but we will have to pay a CHANGE FEE!

We made a stink and finally got a manager guy to help us. He refused to put us on any of the other flights leaving that night on other airlines, and would only put us on a Delta flight. There are only two per day and the next one was not for 24 hours. At least he waived the change fee.

I got them to change my flight from Boston to Washington DC because I was now late enough that I would miss my flight to the DC Film Fest where I was supposed to appear and introduce my film. They did that without the change fee.

So we got a hotel for the night--at our own expense (a real hole as it turned out) and showed up nice and early for the flight the next day. They told us we would have to pay all the excess baggage fees again because the AA fees don't cover them. Add another $525.

I asked if they would let me use FF miles to upgrade to business class and the woman at the counter said I didn't have the right class of ticket to be upgradable (the fee to upgrade it to upgradable was more than I paid for the ticket) and then she essentially asked for a bribe. I gave up.

I shipped two of my bags to Boston with Julia and Anna so I wouldn't have to schlepp them to DC and then back to Boston. I asked my wife to bring an empty duffel bag to DC so I could lighten my overweight bags.

The flight to New York was fine and then on to DC. I made it to DC just in time to meet Christine, grab a shower, change into a suit she brought me and run to the film festival. The auditorium was packed (550 seats, all full) with people standing at the back. Roger Payne (famous whale researcher) was in attendance, which was cool. The film went off well, was really well received. Christine and I answered some questions and did a couple interviews afterwards. We had friends watching the kids.

Today we all went back to the airport to fly home. We have us and two kids (4 people) and 4 bags. I figure, at least there won't be any excess bag fees because I lightened the two overweight ones into the extra bag so we have only one check-in per person. We check in and it's $15 per check-in bag for the first check in on domestic flights. So we got $60 in bag fees right off the bat. Now....they measure my gear tote and decide it's 2" oversize and want $175 for that (this is a tote that has been on more flights than most people make in their lives and never been charged oversize fee). So if they can't whack me for overweight, they go for oversize.

I completely lost my mind and got really angry at the woman. It wasn't pretty. Made them get a manager. Showed them all the screw ups Delta has made in the past 48 hours. They saw the fiasco in Buenos Aires and finally waived the fee.

I will never ever ever ever ever EVER fly Delta airlines again. EVER. Their entire plan for staying in business is to rape people on luggage. I paid $1200 in excess baggage on this trip to bring (2) 50 pound bags and (2) 65 pound bags to Ushuaia, Argentina and back. That is far beyond reasonable--and that was with a media rate discount that took about $500 off what it would have been if an average person took that much gear.

Thank God I am home.

[Ken Hawk]

Thats disgusting Mate :mad:

[sorvju-f]

Great shots as usual Jukka! I can't wait to see all the great stuff you shot.

I just got home and it was a nightmare.

Julia, Anna and I flew out of Ushuaia on Aerolinas Argentinas (AA for short so I don't have to keep typing it) and they told us that our baggage fees would cover us all the way home. (On the way down, bags were "checked" all the way, but actually they were just tagged all the way and we had to claim them and manually re-check them in another terminal in Buenos Aires). However on the way home, they only tagged the bags to Buenos Aires, but claimed that Delta would honor the excess baggage fee (about $300) all the way because they have a partnership. Yeah, right.

We arrived in Buenos Aires 10 minutes late, and the bags took another 20 minutes to come out. We ran to the Delta counter and they had closed the Delta flight and wouldn't let us on (even though it was more than 45 minutes before they were scheduled to take off). We argued, begged and pleaded and it did us no good. They told us to go complain to AA to fix it because they were the ones who were late. We went back over there, they told us they were not late, get lost, and essentially slammed the door in our face.

We went back to Delta and they told us that we were to be treated as if we missed the flight, because we were late and the connecting airline was not Delta. So they said that if AA won't help, we can get on the flight the next day, but we will have to pay a CHANGE FEE!

We made a stink and finally got a manager guy to help us. He refused to put us on any of the other flights leaving that night on other airlines, and would only put us on a Delta flight. There are only two per day and the next one was not for 24 hours. At least he waived the change fee.

I got them to change my flight from Boston to Washington DC because I was now late enough that I would miss my flight to the DC Film Fest where I was supposed to appear and introduce my film. They did that without the change fee.

So we got a hotel for the night--at our own expense (a real hole as it turned out) and showed up nice and early for the flight the next day. They told us we would have to pay all the excess baggage fees again because the AA fees don't cover them. Add another $525.

I asked if they would let me use FF miles to upgrade to business class and the woman at the counter said I didn't have the right class of ticket to be upgradable (the fee to upgrade it to upgradable was more than I paid for the ticket) and then she essentially asked for a bribe. I gave up.

I shipped two of my bags to Boston with Julia and Anna so I wouldn't have to schlepp them to DC and then back to Boston. I asked my wife to bring an empty duffel bag to DC so I could lighten my overweight bags.

The flight to New York was fine and then on to DC. I made it to DC just in time to meet Christine, grab a shower, change into a suit she brought me and run to the film festival. The auditorium was packed (550 seats, all full) with people standing at the back. Roger Payne (famous whale researcher) was in attendance, which was cool. The film went off well, was really well received. Christine and I answered some questions and did a couple interviews afterwards. We had friends watching the kids.

Today we all went back to the airport to fly home. We have us and two kids (4 people) and 4 bags. I figure, at least there won't be any excess bag fees because I lightened the two overweight ones into the extra bag so we have only one check-in per person. We check in and it's $15 per check-in bag for the first check in on domestic flights. So we got $60 in bag fees right off the bat. Now....they measure my gear tote and decide it's 2" oversize and want $175 for that (this is a tote that has been on more flights than most people make in their lives and never been charged oversize fee). So if they can't whack me for overweight, they go for oversize.

I completely lost my mind and got really angry at the woman. It wasn't pretty. Made them get a manager. Showed them all the screw ups Delta has made in the past 48 hours. They saw the fiasco in Buenos Aires and finally waived the fee.

I will never ever ever ever ever EVER fly Delta airlines again. EVER. Their entire plan for staying in business is to rape people on luggage. I paid $1200 in excess baggage on this trip to bring (2) 50 pound bags and (2) 65 pound bags to Ushuaia, Argentina and back. That is far beyond reasonable--and that was with a media rate discount that took about $500 off what it would have been if an average person took that much gear.

Thank God I am home.

That was really nighmare returning:(
I remember our discussion in Ushuaia about aircompanies right to these things and the truth is that afterwards there is not much to do...the only thing is to vote with your legs and choose another aircompany ( you can also start complaint or juridical processes, but your own time to do those is actually waisting of money ).

The one truth is that however big company it is, it needs customers to be alive...that truth is forgotten too often...I can't forget my customers in my own business.

Anyhow great that you are safe back home.

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

One of the most famous landmark in Ushuaia is Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Les%20Eclaireurs%20lighthouse%201%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Les%20Eclaireurs%20lighthouse%202%20800.JPG/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Les%20Eclaireurs%20lighthouse%204%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Les%20Eclaireurs%20lighthouse%205%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Les%20Eclaireurs%20lighthouse%206%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

We met also some sea lions during our ferry trip, we made while waiting final emparkation to Antarctica:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Sea%20lions%203%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Sea%20lions%204%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Sea%20lions%205%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Sea%20lions%206%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[Jonathan Bird]

Such a beautiful area!

[Ken Hawk]

Talking of airlines.
We have one that is
1 going to charge you for using the toilet
2 are stopping in flight movies, as not enough people are buying head phones.

Ken

[Jonathan Bird]

Talking of airlines.
We have one that is
1 going to charge you for using the toilet
2 are stopping in flight movies, as not enough people are buying head phones.

Ken

OK, that's insane. Lets start a thread where we share inside tips about bad airline policies. Seriously. (I have polluted this excellent thread too much already with my airline woes and I don't want to hijack the topic.)

[sorvju-f]

OK, that's insane. Lets start a thread where we share inside tips about bad airline policies. Seriously. (I have polluted this excellent thread too much already with my airline woes and I don't want to hijack the topic.)

Black lists like about bad airlines nobody wants to enter...so lets do it!

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

One target while spending time before departure to Antarctica was to see penquins...those we saw also during our ferry cruise:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Penquin%20kollaasi%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

Some more penquins:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Penquin%202%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Penquin%209%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Penquin%207%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Penquin%2010%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Penquin%2011%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

...and more penquins...

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Penquin%2014%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Penquin%2016%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Penquin%2017%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Penquin%2013%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Penquin%2019%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

...and more...

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Penquin%2022%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Penquin%2027%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Penquin%2028%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Penquin%2021%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Penquin%2024%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[scubagirl]

Great photos, Jukka! Keep them coming! Love those seals and penguins; the penguins look so cute.

Jonathan, the leopard seal photos are cool; they always look like they're smiling!

[sorvju-f]

Great photos, Jukka! Keep them coming! Love those seals and penguins; the penguins look so cute.

Jonathan, the leopard seal photos are cool; they always look like they're smiling!

Thanks Scubagirl!

Underwater I really hope that they are ALWAYS smiling...it means that then they have mouth closed;)

Jukka

[dascubanut]

Looks like you had a great time in an amazing place. Wonderful photos from both of you, but we would not expect anything less from Jonathan & Jukka. Can't wait to see the rest of what you have. Jonathan, your return trip makes Yap look like a walk in the park. Glad you made it to D.C. in time.
Marge & I will be looking for you at BTS.

Doug

[Jonathan Bird]

Thanks Doug! I'll be there!

[sorvju-f]

The day of departure we decided to use the time before evening departure by going up to mountains. Here picture report from the visit:

About half a way station...end of lift ride:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/End%20station%20of%20lift%20800.jpg/full

Easy part with lift:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Martial%20mountain%201%20800.jpg/full

The highest poin we reached:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Highest%20point%20800.jpg/full

What ever tourist will do it a must to buy tickets. In Argentina starting from flight tickets everything to tourists is many times more expensive...even 12 times more:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Ticketing%20800.jpg/full

First steps were easy, but there is many to take:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Martial%20mountain%202%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/View%20to%20Martial%20mountain%20800.jpg/full

It felt so near...but

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Way%20up%20800.jpg/full

Maestro in work...

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Maestro%20in%20work%20800.jpg/full

Two maestros in work...

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Two%20maestros%20in%20work%20800.jpg/full

View to Beagle channel:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/View%20to%20Beagle%20channel%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

Here you can well see how Beagle channel is opening to direction of Atlantic our way already this evening...

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Way%20down%204%20800.jpg/full

Bridge over the stream:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Way%20up%202%20800.jpg/full

Clear instructions...to top straight ( if you can't see ) or right to Canada???

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Good%20instructions%20800.jpg/full

More up...more steepen...

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Way%20up%204%20800.jpg/full

Couple of time we had to sit down to take a breath...one 15l/300 bar oxygen tank would have been nice...

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Taking%20a%20breath%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

Now it is time to move our legs to Antarctica...

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Moving%20legs%20to%20departure%20to%20Antarctica%2 0800.jpg/full

Summer is soon over so this stream will be ice soon...

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Melting%20glacier%20800.jpg/full

Something green still up there...

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/View%202%20to%20Martial%20mountain%20800.jpg/full

In winter time skiing down is much faster...

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Way%20down%20800.jpg/full

Bruno decided to clean his camera;) :

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Bruno%20wahing%20his%20camera%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[scubagirl]

I really like those shots of the mountains, especially the one where you frame the mountain shot inside the twisted tree, and the CFWA shots of the flowers and the stream. Very nice!

BTW, Canadon Negro loosely translates to 'Black Canyon'.

What was the air temperature while you were there, on land?

[sorvju-f]

I really like those shots of the mountains, especially the one where you frame the mountain shot inside the twisted tree, and the CFWA shots of the flowers and the stream. Very nice!

BTW, Canadon Negro loosely translates to 'Black Canyon'.

What was the air temperature while you were there, on land?

Scubagirl, thanks again...sorry so much top side...in tree weeks only about 6 hours underwater.

Temperature was about +5 to +10 Celsius.

Jukka

[Ken Hawk]

You are realy going to make us wait for the underwater shot arn't you Jukka :rolleyes:

Carry on I am going now were ;)

Thanks so far Ken

[sorvju-f]

You are realy going to make us wait for the underwater shot arn't you Jukka :rolleyes:

Carry on I am going now were ;)

Thanks so far Ken

You are right they will be nearly the last ones...and there is not so many of them.

But this gives the right feeling about the trip. We were doing 6 days something to fill the time until get us UW...so from this point it is still 3 days to dives;)

Jukka

[solisti]

Well, I'm following two series now. Lost and this one. :cool:

[Ken Hawk]

Take your time mate, I am enjoying your reports :D

Would you go back again?

Ken

[sorvju-f]

Here is our team members part 2:

David K, USA

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/David%20K%20800.jpg/full

Bruno, Belgium

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Bruno%20640.jpg/full

Patrick D, Belgium

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Patrick%20D%20640.jpg/full

Patrick van M, Belgium

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Patrick%20van%20M%20640.jpg/full

Jukka, Finland

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Jukka%20640.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

Here are our team members part 1:

Jonathan, USA

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Jonathan%20640.jpg/full

Julia, USA

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Julia%20640.jpg/full

Anna, USA

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Anna%20640.jpg/full

Michael, USA

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Michael%20640.jpg/full

David W, USA

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/David%20W%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[Jonathan Bird]

Hey Jukka,
I am enjoying re-living the trip through your excellent pictures. As usual, your photography shows technical mastery as well as creative composition!

As to the question about doing it again--I absolutely would do it again but with slightly different expectations.

Jonathan

[sorvju-f]

Hey Jukka,
I am enjoying re-living the trip through your excellent pictures. As usual, your photography shows technical mastery as well as creative composition!

As to the question about doing it again--I absolutely would do it again but with slightly different expectations.

Jonathan

Somehow when going trough the pictures part of myself is still there and I thik will be forever.

Your are absolutely right about renewing the trip with different expectation. What we missed was these orange coloured king penguins and elephant seals...might be good alternative the South Georgia.

Soon I start pic report from itself the Antarctica.

Jukka

[Jonathan Bird]

Hey Jukka,
I was disappointed that we didn't see any King Penguins. We were SUPPOSED to see the Elephant seals at Deception Island, but the "bad weather" report cancelled it. I guess I should be glad that we escaped a bad storm, but I am wondering where it went and how bad it could have been since it evaporated so fast.

Oh well, it is a small price to pay for such exceptional weather for the rest of the trip.

Jonathan

[sorvju-f]

Hey Jukka,
I was disappointed that we didn't see any King Penguins. We were SUPPOSED to see the Elephant seals at Deception Island, but the "bad weather" report cancelled it. I guess I should be glad that we escaped a bad storm, but I am wondering where it went and how bad it could have been since it evaporated so fast.

Oh well, it is a small price to pay for such exceptional weather for the rest of the trip.

Jonathan

I assume that we should be thankfull of the weather we had there. We can place question about this storm without never getting the final answer. Anyhow they saved one day fuel by coming one day earlier back and we missed Elephant seals.

Jukka

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

Finally one step forward to final destination. Actually our time in Ushuaia was enjoyable with different daily program, good food, wine testing and most of all to see great team and getting familiar with each other. When we entered to Alexei Marushev, our boat, I felt that I have known all the members for years.

Pics of departure:

As Jonathan was reporting the way to our pier was looong from our luggage checking. Here you can see how looong and we were already halfaway:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Departure%20A%20800.jpg/full

Our boat under russian crew have been built in Finland. During rough sea I ensured all that it will take us safely there and back, like it did.

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Departure%20B%20800.jpg/full

Beagle channel's way to Atlantic side and Ushuaia leaves to our left side:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Departure%20C%20800.jpg/full

Finally on our way to Antarctica:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Departure%20D%20800.jpg/full

Couple of days we will see only empty see...

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Departure%20E%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[Ken Hawk]

That blue ship looks nice ;)

[sorvju-f]

The weather turned gray during Drake Passage:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/The%20way%201%20800.jpg/full

Sometimes Albatros joined to our trip:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Albatross%20800.jpg/full

Jukka: " I think I saw land from my cabin window "
Jonathan " Are you sure it is not just some cloud formation "

Jonathan, Jukka, Julia, Anna and Dawid W are moving to the mentioned cabin window and everybody are having a look.

Jonathan: " To me it looks like a cloud, Julia is good with her eyes...lets her to decide "

Julia looks carefully: " It is a cloud "

Anna: " I cannot see anything "

David W goes to his own cabin and bring binoculars with him.

David: " It is a land "

Julia: " It is a land "

Jonathan: " It is a land "

Anna: " Now I can see, it is a land "

Writer

Tiger eye Jukka

Finally we saw the light in the tunnel:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/The%20way%202%20800.jpg/full

We got also little snow during the arrival night, but that was only time during whole trip.

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20arrival%20A%20800.jpg/full

Beautiful:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Arrival%208%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

The moments of arrival in little bit magical light/foggy weather were great.

Already later same day blue sky opened and our luck with weather was perfect during whole trip:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Arrival%206%20800.JPG/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Arrival%207%20800.JPG/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20arrival%203%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Arrival%209%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20arrival%201%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

That blue ship looks nice ;)

I feel some irony in this comment:D

[Jonathan Bird]

Just to answer a question posted by someone earlier, here is the link to the Waterproof Mitts (http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/CategoryID_984/Context_980/Sort_Stock/DescSort_0/Filter_1%3d2625/WPGGC73.html?Hit=1) that I used in Antarctica. ABSOLUTELY the warmest gloves I have ever used and my hands were warmer on this trip than virtually everyone with dry gloves.

They call these dry gloves because they have a seal to help keep the water out, but they are NOT dry gloves. They are normal 7mm 3 finger mitts with a really tight wrist to minimize water exchange. I would actually recommend buying them a size larger than the size chart indicates unless you have tiny wrists because they are hard to put on without help.

Jonathan

[Jonathan Bird]

Jukka,
This picture is awesome!! Try cropping it to a wide aspect by taking some of the foreground water out!

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/The%20way%202%20800.jpg/full

[solisti]

I think the water in foreground brings balance and depth into the picture. Would be good to try and see how it looks without it.

Absolutely amazing landscapes Jukka!

[sorvju-f]

Jukka,
This picture is awesome!! Try cropping it to a wide aspect by taking some of the foreground water out!



Jonathan, maybe you ment something like this:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/The%20way%202%20panorama%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

The sun coming from the blue sky gives to photographer change to capture the best colours of Antarctica polar colours, just enjoy:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20view%208%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20view%2011%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20view%202%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20view%2012%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20view%2013%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

More views:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20view%201%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20view%204%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20view%206%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20view%207%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20view%205%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[Neptune7]

Stunning beauty!
Bravo Jukka and thank you for letting us having a small piece of it.
Pierre

[sorvju-f]

Thanks Pierre!

Topside like I said earlier was better than my expectations so there is a reason to present why:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20view%2014%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20view%2015%20Panorama%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20view%2016%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20view%2017%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20view%2018%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

And more:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20view%2019%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20view%2020%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20view%2021%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20view%2022%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20view%2024%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

and and more:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20view%2029%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20view%2031%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20view%2032%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20view%2038%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20view%2040%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

and and and more:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20view%2047%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20view%2042%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20view%2043%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20view%2044%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20view%2046%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[solisti]

Jonathan, maybe you ment something like this:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/The%20way%202%20panorama%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

I think it does work better with the foreground. Matter of an opinion of course...

[Ken Hawk]

Your pics just get better with every post :D

Thanks Ken

[scubagirl]

What majestic landscapes! Now I'm really looking forward to the underwater shots!

[sorvju-f]

What majestic landscapes! Now I'm really looking forward to the underwater shots!

Scubagirl, your feelings are now like I had when starting the trip. Diving and photographing was not what I was waiting for. There are only some pics UW, which are presentable.

Jukka

[scubagirl]

I suppose you have to make the best of a situation. I know if I had travelled all that way I would have been disappointed in not being able to dive very much (though I do have an aversion to cold water, even with the addition of Argon ;) ).

That being said, I think both your and Jonathan's photos have presented Antarctica in a wonderful way, and we are all envious of your experience in just being there.

Are you saying you shot more video underwater than stills?

[Sharp]

Fabulous lansdscapes jukka!

There is so much snow, ice and sun shine!

[sorvju-f]

I suppose you have to make the best of a situation. I know if I had travelled all that way I would have been disappointed in not being able to dive very much (though I do have an aversion to cold water, even with the addition of Argon ;) ).

That being said, I think both your and Jonathan's photos have presented Antarctica in a wonderful way, and we are all envious of your experience in just being there.

Are you saying you shot more video underwater than stills?

We calculated that like a dive trip one dive was with a value of more than 1000 USD. So arrangements of dives were not meeting that value. Weight changing game due to not enough of them ( half of the time of preparing yourself to dives went by running after the weights ) was annoying.

Our quides were nice people, but if they use much of their own money to something like this seeing that basic systems are not working disapointment is half ready.

I calculated roughly that cameras and other needed UW-gear for fotographing of our team were close to 200 000 USD. When the boat ( zodiak ) was crowded already with diving gears you had to put the cameras under, over, between or just somewhere. When the members came to boat it was impossible to avoid stepping on cameras or divegears and many of us got broken gears, like I did. I should say that right number of divers should have been 4 to one boat...not 6 or 7. Money talks!

Underwater I waited visibility of at least 20-30 meters, truth I feel was 2 to 10meters with lot of silt present all the time ( maybe this silt is influencing to my viz evaluation little bit ). Nice wide angle pics were simply impossible. With that visibility macro or video gave some results. To learn this took dives of our small number of dives and also reducing number of UW-pics ( when I had wide angle lens during my second dive...no pics ). Actually this means that I took pictures only during two dives in Antarctica ( video tree dives )...of coarse I will present them to you later when my report is in that point.

One day we missed because of "maybe storm ". If there would have been 2 dives so the number of dives would have increased 20 %. Actually by knowing what the dives were I think I would have taken part to land visit to see elephant seals...anyhow no dives or no elephant seals that day.

I hope this gives idea about diving and my comment that topside was more and diving was less what I expected.

Jukka

[scubagirl]

Wow, I didn't realize the figures per dive would add up to that! That's unbelievable! I can now see why you were all so disappointed, after travelling so far. Having broken gear only adds to the frustration and disappointment.

[sorvju-f]

Wow, I didn't realize the figures per dive would add up to that! That's unbelievable! I can now see why you were all so disappointed, after travelling so far. Having broken gear only adds to the frustration and disappointment.

I should not say really only "disappointed". Topside was great and there were moments also UW...like seeing the ice UW and leopard seal...but overall diving was not what I was expecting.

Jukka

[Jonathan Bird]

Jonathan, maybe you ment something like this:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/The%20way%202%20panorama%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

Yes! I love that composition!

BEAUTIFUL shots Jukka!

[Sharp]

Underwater I waited visibility of at least 20-30 meters, truth I feel was 2 to 10meters with lot of silt present all the time ( maybe this silt is influencing to my viz evaluation little bit ). Nice wide angle pics were simply impossible. With that visibility macro or video gave some results. To learn this took dives of our small number of dives and also reducing number of UW-pics ( when I had wide angle lens during my second dive...no pics ). Actually this means that I took pictures only during two dives in Antarctica ( video tree dives )...of coarse I will present them to you later when my report is in that point.

Jukka

Do you know that was the reason of lots of silt because the time of the year? Isn´t that "summertime" or warmest time of the year? Of course you cant go diving there at the wintertime because too could weatrher. When I was in Norway last July there was also lots of silt and vic was between 2 to ten meter.

And was there been strong winds and flows in that area?

[sorvju-f]

Do you know that was the reason of lots of silt because the time of the year? Isn´t that "summertime" or warmest time of the year? Of course you cant go diving there at the wintertime because too could weatrher. When I was in Norway last July there was also lots of silt and vic was between 2 to ten meter.

And was there been strong winds and flows in that area?

According our quides it is always like that or even worse. Currents were not strong, but weather can be rough...weather during our trip was excellent.

Of coarce we dived always in "safe places" close to shore. Maybe viz more far from the shore could have been better, but then less to see.

Water temperature is not going down more put topside might be much colder during wintertime.

Wintertime ( opposite to us ) these places are covered with ice and maybe just this melting ice is bringing silt during summertime...I am not sure...just thinking.

[sorvju-f]

I noticed during the trip that there was lot of ice and icebergs:D

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20iceberg%2020%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20Iceberg%2017%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20Iceberg%2016%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20Iceberg%2015%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20Iceberg%2014%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

More ice:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20Iceberg%2010%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20Iceberg%207%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20Iceberg%205%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20Iceberg%201%20800.JPG/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

and more ice:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20iceberg%20A%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20Iceberg%2011%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20Iceberg%2012%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20Ice%201%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20iceberg%20B%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

This pic indicates the way we moved in Antarctica:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Our%20route%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[scubagirl]

Thanks for posting a photo of the map, Jukka; it gives us a better idea of how far you all travelled.

The ice and iceberg photos are great. The blue colour of the water near them makes it look almost tropical ;)

[Jonathan Bird]

You know, I was on the same trip as Jukka but his pics are much better than mine!

[tarczy]

Jukka, my good friend . . .

Your ice landscape images are simply phenomenal. I want to enlarge some of them, frame them, and hang them in my house!!

Hope all is well!

Mark

[Ken Hawk]

Looks like Jukka has a cpl of customers :D

[sorvju-f]

Thanks to everybody for the comments!

There is a saying that even blind chicken finds the grain if just do enough pecking;)

Tarczy nice to hear from you...if you really want some of the pics just let me know and I will send full size file to you. How about your diving/photographing plans?

Jonathan I have seen your pictures in your stock photography pages...they are great...somehow it is easier to look and evaluate the pics of others.

Anyhow I feel that we have great thread from Antarctica we can be proud of...just hoping other members of the trip to show some of their owns.

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

It is time to present some penguin pictures from Antarctica:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20penguin%201%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20penguin%202%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20penguin%203%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20penguin%204%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20penguin%205%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

...more penguins...

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20penguin%206%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20penguin%207%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20penguin%208%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20penguin%209%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20penguin%2010%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

...and more penguins...

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20penguin%2011%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20penguin%2012%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20penguin%2013%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20penguin%2014%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20penguin%2015%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

...and more penguins...

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20penguin%2016%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20penguin%2017%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20penguin%2018%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20penguin%2019%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20penguin%2020%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

...and more penguins...

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20penguin%2024%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20penguin%2022%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20penguin%2023%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20penguin%2021%20800.jpg/full

...and to Ken...

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Antarctica%20penguin%2025%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[Ken Hawk]

LOL more feet

[lettsdive]

I have been following this thread since before they have left on there trip, I believe it is the best thread that I have followed so far to date, I just like to say thank you to the photographers for posting their photos, they are outstanding, i look forward every evening to sit down and see what has been added for the day and again thank you so much and I do very much appreciate it.

Roy

[sorvju-f]

I have been following this thread since before they have left on there trip, i believe it is the best thread that i have followed so far to date, i just like to say thank you to the photographers for posting there photos, they are outstanding, i look forward every evening to sit down and see what has been added for the day and again thank you so much and very much appreciated

WOW, that came straight from the heart!

Thanks on the behalf of all who have added pictures ( mmm I think it is Jonathan and me )

It is great to hear that we have not just waisted our time during the trip...it encourages to continue.

Sorry that there will not be so many UW-pics this time...some coming later.

Here is I think best picture of mine during the trip...dedicated to you lettsdive:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Fur%20seal%2040%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

...more seals tomorrow...

[sorvju-f]

LOL more feet

I think your avatar brings these to you:D

Jukka

[Ken Hawk]

What lens are you using for these shots Jukka?

[sorvju-f]

What lens are you using for these shots Jukka?

The last one

Camera: Olympus E-3
Lens: Zuiko 50-200mm, sometimes with teleconverter 1,4 or 2 this was 76 mm without teleconverter
F: 8
Shutter 1/60
ISO: 100

Jukka

[Jonathan Bird]

Jukka,
These pictures of yours are so fabulous....you really should put a small copyright watermark on them to discourage people from swiping them and using them elsewhere. I do not think you should write "copyright" across the middle of the image or anything, but a little something at the bottom of the image reminds people that these are not "clip art." I know that the true members of this site are much more aware of copyright issues than the general public, but remember that the general public can surf this site. We need to walk a line between providing nice images to view and protecting ourselves. Hence the reason that I typically do not post images as large as yours--there are fewer things someone can do with a swiped image if it is only 500 pixels. Even fewer things if it has a copyright on the bottom.

Of course, I make part of my living from licensing images, so maybe it's more important to me than to you, but it's something to consider.

Case in point: A couple years ago I got an e-mail from a photoshop/graphic designer from Hawaii who had been asked to attempt to photoshop the copyright out of a couple of my images, provided to her by a local guy who swiped them off my website. He had a little shop on the beach and he sold little "prints" of marine life, etc. With a 500 pixel wide image, he was making an acceptable-looking 4" matted prints of dolphins and stuff that he was selling. Needless to say, the photoshop lady was suspicious, looked me up on the internet and dropped me a line. We got the guy shut down. But this is a perfect example of people using pictures found on the internet to cheat you! (Most people just put your pictures on their site and don't pay you or credit you. The most common thing is kids putting your pictures in their school reports, but this is pretty much harmless.)

Your penguin pictures are SO cute....they are prime candidates for this kind of thing!

Jonathan

[Kelly]

I 2nd Jonathan's whole speech on copyright. Even if you don't make your living this way, you deserve the credit for these great photos. Those penguins really are cute, one of them looks like a knitted stuffed animal. Gorgeous!:)

Looking forward to the next round...!

[scubagirl]

The penguin photos are fantastic, Jukka!

I noticed that in a lot of the photos, the penguins are moulting, and it looks like a cross between juveniles losing their downy feathers, and adults in seasonal moulting. Did the crew give out any information about this?

[scubagirl]

... one of them looks like a knitted stuffed animal...

You're right; I have a plush Opus the penguin (from Bloom County), and these photos reminded me of him! :)

[sorvju-f]

Jukka,
These pictures of yours are so fabulous....you really should put a small copyright watermark on them to discourage people from swiping them and using them elsewhere. I do not think you should write "copyright" across the middle of the image or anything, but a little something at the bottom of the image reminds people that these are not "clip art." I know that the true members of this site are much more aware of copyright issues than the general public, but remember that the general public can surf this site. We need to walk a line between providing nice images to view and protecting ourselves. Hence the reason that I typically do not post images as large as yours--there are fewer things someone can do with a swiped image if it is only 500 pixels. Even fewer things if it has a copyright on the bottom.

Of course, I make part of my living from licensing images, so maybe it's more important to me than to you, but it's something to consider.

Case in point: A couple years ago I got an e-mail from a photoshop/graphic designer from Hawaii who had been asked to attempt to photoshop the copyright out of a couple of my images, provided to her by a local guy who swiped them off my website. He had a little shop on the beach and he sold little "prints" of marine life, etc. With a 500 pixel wide image, he was making an acceptable-looking 4" matted prints of dolphins and stuff that he was selling. Needless to say, the photoshop lady was suspicious, looked me up on the internet and dropped me a line. We got the guy shut down. But this is a perfect example of people using pictures found on the internet to cheat you! (Most people just put your pictures on their site and don't pay you or credit you. The most common thing is kids putting your pictures in their school reports, but this is pretty much harmless.)

Your penguin pictures are SO cute....they are prime candidates for this kind of thing!

Jonathan

I haven't thought it like this...once I founded one of my pictures in finnish divemagazine with a name of somebody else...they did it to others also and finally they were in court and stopped doing it.

I have often tought that when I am not doing business with them it is better to be somewhere else than in my memory card and people can see them.

On the other hand I am rather strict to myself not to harm other fotographers, who are getting their living from it. I mean that if they can steal pictures from my web puplishing they are not making purchase from for example you ( I am not sure they will purchase them even though...but there are less alternatives )

Jukka

So how to do this copyright watermark...sorry I have never done it?

[lettsdive]

WOW, that came straight from the heart!

Thanks on the behalf of all who have added pictures ( mmm I think it is Jonathan and me )

It is great to hear that we have not just waisted our time during the trip...it encourages to continue.

Sorry that there will not be so many UW-pics this time...some coming later.

Here is I think best picture of mine during the trip...dedicated to you lettsdive:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Fur%20seal%2040%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

...more seals tomorrow...

Thank you Jukka for dedicating the picture to me, i was just honesty saying how i was feeling, you and Jonathon has some great pictures and i concur with Jonathon, Kelly and Scubagirl, you have a lot of time and money invested with these photos, you should protect your self from theft.

Roy

[Sharp]

So how to do this copyright watermark...sorry I have never done it?

I think that you can do it with you 1g.fi (http://www.1g.fi/)program?

I can put my name to all my pictures at the same time when I am using my JAlbum program (http://jalbum.net/software/)on my homepage. I belive you have the kind of option on you program.

[Ken Hawk]

Here you go Jukka
A friend of mine wrote this tutorial on another forum.
http://www.pixalo.com/community/tutorials-guides/make-copyright-brush-ps-9570.html.

Ken

[sorvju-f]

Here you go Jukka
A friend of mine wrote this tutorial on another forum.
http://www.pixalo.com/community/tutorials-guides/make-copyright-brush-ps-9570.html.

Ken

Thanks Ken and Sharp I think I am working with it!

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

Here is picture with watermarking...is it OK and not disturping too much...comments please.

There were two ways to do it...trough the picture gallery I have. It was leaving like a box round the text and that was not looking nice.

This Kens friend's instructions are good and you can like a stamp the picture anywhere...resize and change colour and opacity by photoshop...that was nice.

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Fur%20seal%2040%20800%20wm.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

I like these fur seals. The guides told that if they attack you it is the question of power...you should look like big and making yourself act like being stronger than them...I don't know how I managed...if you run away they feel you are weaker and they follow you and try to push you down to ground ( or ice ).

One danger with them is that they have lot of bakters in their thooth and if they bite you, you can get infection.

So here you have ( and with watermarks ):D

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Fur%20seal%2012%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Fur%20seal%209%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Fur%20seal%2042%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Fur%20seal%2026%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Fur%20seal%2028%20800%20wm.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

...more...

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Fur%20seal%2032%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Fur%20seal%2041%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Fur%20seal%2020%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Fur%20seal%201%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Fur%20seal%2018%20800%20wm.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

...and more...

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Fur%20seal%2017%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Fur%20seal%205%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Fur%20seal%2023%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Fur%20seal%2035%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Fur%20seal%2036%20800%20wm.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

...and more...

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Fur%20seal%2019%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Fur%20seal%2037%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Fur%20seal%208%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Fur%20seal%2011%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Fur%20seal%2024%20800%20wm.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

...and more...

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Fur%20seal%207%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Fur%20seal%2031%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Fur%20seal%2030%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Fur%20seal%2014%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Fur%20seal%2034%20800%20wm.jpg/full

Jukka

[Jonathan Bird]

AWESOME shots Jukka! Now I wish I had skipped that dive and gone on the hike instead!

[lettsdive]

Jukka, you have some beautiful prints there if you decide to hang them on your wall, as Jonathan says awesome.

Roy

[sorvju-f]

No comments about the watermark...there have to be something wrong?

Now I wish I had skipped that dive and gone on the hike instead!

Thanks Jonathan.

I remember that somebody said in Ushuaia:

" what ever is your decission to take with you underwater...macro/wideangle...still/video...after all the dives you are missing something you left away"

I think this is also the truth with landvisits/diving in Antarctica.


Jukka, you have some beautiful prints there if you decide to hang them on your wall, as Jonathan says awesome.

Roy

Thanks Roy.

It is time to collect points to my point baggage to get family permission to next divetrips...this time by renewing the living room...soon I have enough pics to cover all the walls with diving pics...I think we are not finding even compromise about that with my wife:(

Jukka

[Jonathan Bird]

Hey Jukka,
The watermark is absolutely fine. I personally would put either the word copyright in it or at least a © symbol. I also would use a non-script font so it's a little more readable, but that is personal. You are going for a little more artistic look. The important thing is that you have your name on the images!!

Jonathan

[scubagirl]

Great shots, Jukka!

Those seals sure have distinct personalities: some look like they're challenging you, some look bored/tired or inquisitive, others just look cute! Many of them would be suitable for framing!

[Jonathan Bird]

I would not be surprised to see this image in National Geographic. By far my favorite.

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Fur%20seal%209%20800%20wm.jpg/full

[sorvju-f]

I would not be surprised to see this image in National Geographic. By far my favorite.


Thank you...really big compliment. What it is in the picture made so high values to you?

Jukka

[Jonathan Bird]

I like the composition, the position of the animals, the way they are looking and especially the background.

One thing about the Olympus that bugs me though is the 4:3 aspect ratio. I have a hard time getting used to it because I am so used to seeing 2:3 aspect. It's a little too square. I would crop it horizontal just a smidge....but that's a personal issue. It's a great shot!!

[Daniel]

Thank you...really big compliment. What it is in the picture made so high values to you?

Jukka
Aside from the points Jonathan already identified, the photo tells a story. Of course, my comments are purely subjective and everyone can interpret a photo differently. To me the seals body language is one of defiance, yet authoritative.

[sorvju-f]

I like the composition, the position of the animals, the way they are looking and especially the background.

One thing about the Olympus that bugs me though is the 4:3 aspect ratio. I have a hard time getting used to it because I am so used to seeing 2:3 aspect. It's a little too square. I would crop it horizontal just a smidge....but that's a personal issue. It's a great shot!!

I am rather used to this 4:3 but I think I can used to 2:3 fast also...new sreens are supporting mainly 16:9 ratio. In little mac-book you are limiting editing to smaller size due to Olympus ratio.

With longer lenses zooming makes back-ground blurry. When making the pictures we tend to have close-ups. Sometimes to audience picture tells more, when capturing it with clear background and smaller object size.

Greenish, autentic forground comes also more up by using less zooming.

This one with Zuiko 50-200 mm, shutter 1/100 s, F/9, ISO 100, 64 mm.

Aside from the points Jonathan already identified, the photo tells a story. Of course, my comments are purely subjective and everyone can interpret a photo differently. To me the seals body language is one of defiance, yet authoritative.

Getting the story to picture is challenging and when managing it also rewarding.

Jukka

[Jonathan Bird]

Aside from the points Jonathan already identified, the photo tells a story. Of course, my comments are purely subjective and everyone can interpret a photo differently. To me the seals body language is one of defiance, yet authoritative.

"This is our rock. We dare you to come up here!"

[sorvju-f]

Continuing reporting...now in turn leopard seals:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Leopard%20seal%201%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Leopard%20seal%202%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Leopard%20seal%203%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Leopard%20seal%2012%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Leopard%20seal%209%20800%20wm.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

This one indicates how big they are...and UW they look 25% more bigger...feeling like tyrannosaurus REX approaching...

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Leopard%20seal%2013%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Leopard%20seal%204%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Leopard%20seal%205%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Leopard%20seal%2010%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Leopard%20seal%206%20800%20wm.jpg/full

Jukka

[scubagirl]

Thanks for posting that shot with the diver beside the seal; those leopard seals are much bigger than I thought! Good thing they were all smiling ;)

[Jonathan Bird]

That shot is so cool because it shows the size of the animal!

[sorvju-f]

Of coarse part of the trip was to see whales...first time to me to see them.

Actually they were rather far and good pictures were difficult to get...but they are impressive to see. We saw them every day in Antarctica. One thing I didn't understood was that we had so hurry all the time ( where ) that we didn't stopped to play with them...only once. Normally when the loudspeaker informing us that whales in 11 o' clock...running to cabin to take camera and when entering to bridge they were already far back.

We spotted humpback whales, minke whales and fin whales. It is also possible to spot orca there, but I didn't.

Some pics:

Experts can identify the whale from shape and size of cloud they are blowing.

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Whale%20action%201%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Whale%20action%204%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Whale%20action%202%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Whale%20action%203%20800%20wm.jpg/full

Jukka

[Jonathan Bird]

We made the Ikelite Blog (http://www.ikelite.com/blog/15blog.html)! Check it out!

[Kelly]

Congratulations! Nice article... and gawd those big critters are so cute! :)

[Pavamo]

Hi there every one,

I finally maneged to put some pics online on the Pixagogo website,
the subtitles are al in dutch, but hey, for those who have been there
you probably know what it's all about :D

Antarctica Pics (http://www.pixagogo.com/4675324114)

GreetZzz...
Patrick ( one of the Belgian delegation :rolleyes: )

http://www.mijnalbum.nl/GroteFoto-YCVPCBXT.jpg (http://www.pixagogo.com/4675324114)

[Jonathan Bird]

Great show Patrick!!!

[sorvju-f]

Hi there every one,

I finally maneged to put some pics online on the Pixagogo website,
the subtitles are al in dutch, but hey, for those who have been there
you probably know what it's all about :D

Antarctica Pics (http://www.pixagogo.com/4675324114)

GreetZzz...
Patrick ( one of the Belgian delegation :rolleyes: )

http://www.mijnalbum.nl/GroteFoto-YCVPCBXT.jpg (http://www.pixagogo.com/4675324114)

Hi Patrick!

Patrick was my dive buddy together with Bruno, whom I normally saw when going to water and entering the boat:D

Great to hear from you! And really great to see your results trough the camera...you did it!

You have gotten great set of pictures and this style of presentation works really good.

Your underwater collection is definately better than mine. I also tried to catch this movement of see but didn't succeed like you ( vawes front of boat ).

All the best

Jukka

The diver in the picture looks like me. It is little bit suprising to see yourself in the picture, because you are all the time behind your own lens and normally loaning camera to somebody to get 2-3 pics from yourself during 3 weeks trips ( some sort of evidence collection that you have been there ).

[scubagirl]

Great slideshow, Patrick!

[Pavamo]

Thx guys ( ..and girls )

the diver in the picture is indeed somebody called "Jukka" :cool:
so here's the proof you have been there

[sorvju-f]

Thx guys ( ..and girls )

the diver in the picture is indeed somebody called "Jukka" :cool:
so here's the proof you have been there

I really liked the proof that you have been there...picture where you are up the hill and boat was very small in the background...like being in the toy land:D

Jukka

[Daniel]

Hi there every one,

I finally maneged to put some pics online on the Pixagogo website,
the subtitles are al in dutch, but hey, for those who have been there
you probably know what it's all about :D

Antarctica Pics (http://www.pixagogo.com/4675324114)

GreetZzz...
Patrick ( one of the Belgian delegation :rolleyes: )

http://www.mijnalbum.nl/GroteFoto-YCVPCBXT.jpg (http://www.pixagogo.com/4675324114)

Impressive collection of photos! Thank you sharing them with us.

[Jonathan Bird]

Kinda quiet here today Jukka!

[sorvju-f]

Kinda quiet here today Jukka!

Sorry! I have been rather busy...we had introduction dives for the coming divers/photographers and I have to prepare this huge maintenance work in home to get family permissions for future dives and that have to be ready as you know before August:D

So we are approaching dives, but let me present first our quides:

Dive quides were not normally diving with us...they waited in the zodiack and helped us to enter back to boat after the dive.

The head of divequides was Jonas from Denmark:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Dive%20quide%20Jonas%20800%20wm.jpg/full

Jordi, from Spain, is smiling and resting his legs after getting one customer to do his work...

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Dive%20quide%20Jordi%20800%20wm.jpg/full

Jorgen, from Denmark, is a member of helicopter rescue team when not in Antarctica...

Jörgen the most left one:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Dive%20quide%20J%F6rgen%20800%20wm.jpg/full

For the quiding of land tours we had two charming girls...Anjuli ( left ) from New Zealand and Elke from Germany.

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Land%20quides%20Anjali%20and%20Elke%20800.jpg/full

Unfortunately I don't have picture from our " Good morning, good morning to everybody"-man Troels, Expedition Leader. If somebody have just post it to this thread.

Jukka

[Sharp]

Excellent presentatio of you pictures Pavamo.:)

[Andrew]

It has taken me a few days to go through this thread, but what a great read and some fantastic stories and pictures. Thanks to all who have posted, looks like you had a great time.

Andrew

[sorvju-f]

Starting with some important points before the dive:

First thing is off coarse compressor...sometimes it came to my mind that if it is broken ( only one )...our few dives would have been finished...

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Compressor%20room%20800%20wm.jpg/full

Scupa tanks were 12 litre steel tanks...during our first test dive I was huging one stone all the dive...i needed 4 kg more weight than normally in Finland:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Scuba%20tanks%20800%20wm.jpg/full

First you loaded the zodiac with your divegears and cameras and it was lifted to water without divers:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Nosturi%20800%20wm.jpg/full

Side of the boat was stair to walk down to zodiac:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Stairs%20800%20wm.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

Some pictures from our diving environment:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Marushev%20Antarctica%202%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Diving%201%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Diving%202%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Diving%203%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Diving%20environment%202%20800%20wm.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

More diving environment pics:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Diving%20environment%204%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Diving%20environment%209%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Diving%20environment%207%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Diving%20environment%206%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Diving%20environment%205%20800%20wm.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

Underwater ice:

Those beutiful formations of ice under water were one target to me:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/UW-ice%208%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/UW-ice%206%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/UW-ice%205%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/UW-ice%203%20800%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/UW-ice%201%20800%20wm.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

Some underwater colours of Antarctica:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Anemoni%201%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Worm%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Kotilo%201%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Kotilo%202%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Anemoni%202%20800%20wm.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

Whaling wreck:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Wreck%20diving%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Wreck%20inside%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Propeller%20800wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Anemon%203%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Anemon%20colours%20of%20Antarctica%20800%20wm.jpg/full

Jukka

[Jonathan Bird]

I wish I had done the dive with all the anemones!! I skipped ONE dive to do a shore walk, and it was the one with all the anemones!!

[Daniel]

Nicely done Jukka!

[sorvju-f]

I wish I had done the dive with all the anemones!! I skipped ONE dive to do a shore walk, and it was the one with all the anemones!!

Didn't you do the wreck dive? It was hard to follow the divers who went ahead of you...the silt storm was enormous. I finded these anemons under the wreck...I think nobody else were there before me because it was the only place without big amount of backscatter.

Daniel, thanks!

Jukka

It is little bit hard to notice that there was all my UW-pics from Antarctica...it will come some more from Ushuaia later as well as final summary.

[Sharp]

Superb pictures jukka. :)

It must be frustrating if some diver distroy the vizibility by silting the bottom. They need to practice more of good bouancy at they home.:(

[scubagirl]

Nice anemones, Jukka!

[sorvju-f]

Nice anemones, Jukka!

Thanks, Scubagirl and Sharp!

I hope I have also in video something...I am getting new computer after two weeks and first thing is to get some shootages from Antarctica and Ushuaia edited.

Jukka

[Jonathan Bird]

Didn't you do the wreck dive?

I did. With video!!

[sorvju-f]

Back in Ushuaia after Antarctica. Part of us left home the same day we arrived.

Michael wanted to have one dive in Ushuaia and I promised to go with him the day we arrived due to him leaving next morning. Other just wanted to have one day rest and dive day after,

THAT WAS ONE OF THE SO CALLED UNFORGETABLE DIVES.

Michael are you there...your turn to give a report from things before the dive.

Dive actually went rather OK...only thing was that I got water inside my drysuit...but water was +10 celsius and I thought that I have to give good last dive...and dived with dry-wet suit 40 min. Jonathan and I founded the reason for leagage later on...it was one of the air releasing valve and the screw of that inside the suit witch is tightening valve to suit...it was loose.

Anyhow I finally got familiar with these kelp forests...they are beautiful...and tons of crabs. I don't know the name of them but they were jumping from place to place like grasshoppers and looking like something between lobster and crab....some pictures:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Crab%205%20b%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Crab%206%20b%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Crab%204%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Crab%207%20800%20wm.jpg/full

An other style ( lost other scissors and catched something to eat ):

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Crab%20having%20lunch%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

We saw also one of these huge king crabs...I had macro in my camera so here only close-ups:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/King%20crab%201%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/King%20crab%202%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/King%20crab%203%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/King%20crab%204%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/King%20crab%207%20800%20wm.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

Here is one macro picture from kelp...these balls are like airtight balloons which kelp have to fill by air by itself. They are keeping kelps growing towards the surface even some 30 meters:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Kelp%203%20800%20wm.jpg/full

Jukka

[Sharp]

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Crab%206%20b%20800%20wm.jpg/full

Jukka

Holy crab what a eyecontact! You can see his pupils. :eek:

All the pictures are excellent, but this is my favorit one Jukka.

The shape of the eye is little same like freswater Crayfishes have.

http://www.pasilensu.com/kuvagalleriat/Crayfishes/slides/blue_freswater_lobster5.jpg

That king crab is really beastly loking creature. I thought that those would be only in the nort part of the eatrh but I was wrong.

[scubagirl]

Nice crayfish/lobster photos, Jukka! Very colourful.

10C? That's pretty warm compared to our river here right now, which is 4C. But having a leaky drysuit is never a good thing ;)

[Andrew]

More great pics Jukka, very clear and I agree with Sharp as that is my favourite shot too.

Andrew

[Jonathan Bird]

Wonderful shots Jukka!

I agree, the water in Ushuaia seemed positively tropical after Antarctica!

[Christie]

Awesome pics Jukka!!!

[Andrew]

Jonathan, I see that the Antarctica trip are now on the blog on the Ikelite site... no mention of the flooding incident though... :D

[Jonathan Bird]

I sent the housing to them to evaluate and they couldn't find anything wrong with it, so as most housing flooding is, it was operator error.

[sorvju-f]

Unforgetable dive in Ushuaia,

Not heard anything from Michael so:

Michael started arrangements of our dives from reception desk of our hotel, the cheapest one was USD100 and our choice.

First leaving was planned to be 2 pm and finally the hotel owner took us to one place 4 pm, where was nobody. Calls, calls and finally we met “dive center owner” at one gasoline station. We changed our gears to his car and drove about 20 minutes to his home, where we found half inflated zodiak on trailer. We combined it to his car.

Some questions jumped up to our mind due unprofessionalism...lets check the weight and tanks. Tanks were not DIN so we took a trailer away and drove back to town to one place, 20 minutes drive, where was tanks with DIN connection. Checking pressure indicated first tanks to have 50 bar. The group of people found one movable compressor they took out to back yard and half an hour they tried to start it up without no luck.

During this half an hour I went trough all the tanks and founded 2 with 180 bars so finally we took them and jumped to car again and drove back to owners home. He started to be little bit nervous and his driving put my hard to beat double rate.

We combined the trailer again to his car. One of his friends joined to our team. Finally moving to dive point...took about half an hour.

Michael started to be nervous and took his diving knife inside his jacket. Actually these people were nice and try to do their best without knowhow. No understanding about licenses or liability release forms and no insurances. They just thought that this is easy way to earn USD 200, which is lot money to local people.

Next thing was to get the zodiak to water. There was a slope to water and the owner was backing the car and trailer to beach. The problem was that there were soft sand about 20 meters before reaching the beach...and of coarse the car was stacked to sand....owner and his friend was continuing the work to get zodiak to water and I and Michael started prepare ourselves to dive...

Meanwhile the owner and his friend decided to loose the trailer from the car....after loosening the trailer front raised up and owner fall down but the boat happily went down to water by nobody being in it. The owners friend but dry suit on and went to take the boat back to beach.

Meanwhile the owner had called to somebody to come with other car to pull his car away from the sand...final result was that we had 2 cars stacked to sand. We left the cars there and started moving to dive site...Michael, me, owner and his two friends.

In the boat they started to arguing where we should dive...visiting 3 or 4 places...and finally to water... Michael didn’t want to take camera with him due to stress load so far.

When entering the water I felt water entering inside the suit...but what the heck Michael needs one good last dive so I dove with dry-wet-suit. We had 40 minutes dive trough the kelp forests and I got some nice pictures from local crabs and from one king crab.

Michael even caught one small crab an put it to his mouth to me to take picture...I of coarse forgot that he didn’t have regulator in his mouth and me doing compositions without no hurry...until Michael had hurry...the picture was only with half face and little bit unclear:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antactica%2024.2-14.3.2009/Mouth%20crab%20800.jpg/full

We finished our dive and decided to leave the second dive due to getting dark and being rather hungry. Back to beach and I changed some dry clothes on me and repacking all our gears. After which we had one hour work with cars to get them out of the sand. Finally we did it and heading back to hotel.

After the dive I thought that this must have been their first project to take divers UW and “make easy money”. They were friendly to us but just not knowing how to proceed.

When driving back to hotel I whispered to Michael “ It is not good to always choose the cheapest one “.

Jukka

[Andrew]

Great story Jukka, not sure I would have been too comfortable diving with them...

[Jonathan Bird]

The funny thing is that Michael and Jukka went out with this guy because the owner of the hotel we were staying at recommended him because he was cheaper than the guy at Ushuaia Divers (the legitimate dive shop) who charges $150 for a 2 tank dive. (Which is pretty damned expensive, especially for Argentina).

When we went out with Ushuaia Divers the next day, we had 4 people and he gave us a break on the price. $500 for the 4 of us for 2 dives, lunch, a nice hike during the surface interval on an island, and a little post-dive whiskey. A good deal!

Jonathan

[sorvju-f]

The funny thing is that Michael and Jukka went out with this guy because the owner of the hotel we were staying at recommended him because he was cheaper than the guy at Ushuaia Divers (the legitimate dive shop) who charges $150 for a 2 tank dive. (Which is pretty damned expensive, especially for Argentina).

When we went out with Ushuaia Divers the next day, we had 4 people and he gave us a break on the price. $500 for the 4 of us for 2 dives, lunch, a nice hike during the surface interval on an island, and a little post-dive whiskey. A good deal!

Jonathan

The day with Ushuaia divers with Anna, Julia and Jonathan was also unforgetable day but opposite to my first dive...weather was excellent, the dives were relaxing and enjoyable and service from owner Carlos didn't leave space for any complaints...and of coarse our team was great.

Some pictures:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Ushuaia%20Divers%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Ushuaia%20diving%204%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Carlos%20800wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Ushuaia%20diver%208%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Ushuaia%20diving%208%20800.jpg/full

...continue...


Jukka

[sorvju-f]

Some more:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Ushuaia%20diving%2011%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Kelp%205%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Ushuaia%20diving%2012%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Ushuaia%20diver%206%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Sea%20star%202%20wm.jpg/full


Jukka

[scubagirl]

Great photos Jukka! I really like the one with the flowers/weeds in the foreground with the mountains behind it.

Sounds like you had much better results with the second dive operator. I see that Jonathan doesn't look happy in the photos; is there a story behind this? ;)

[Daniel]

Great photos Jukka! I really like the one with the flowers/weeds in the foreground with the mountains behind it.

Sounds like you had much better results with the second dive operator. I see that Jonathan doesn't look happy in the photos; is there a story behind this? ;)

Maybe he [JB] was... off-gassing. :eek: :p

[sorvju-f]

Great photos Jukka! I really like the one with the flowers/weeds in the foreground with the mountains behind it.

Sounds like you had much better results with the second dive operator. I see that Jonathan doesn't look happy in the photos; is there a story behind this? ;)

I think Jonathan was feeling happy that day...leading group to Antarctica and back so that everybody was alive and having great day in half in the picture...

Jonathan is normally smiling nearly all the time...so this picture in that way is not telling the truth...I added picture mainly having him with the nice back ground. What I know he is not looking happy only in Delta's office.

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

The last pictures I will add to this thread are from Natural park of Ushuaia.
We rented a car the day before departure and had a visit to natural park of Ushuaia. I wanted to see some beavers there...but info we got that they are sleeping the day time and difficult to find...but the views were beautiful...the weather was turning gray like indicating the moment to leave...in the evening we got already some rain:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Ushuaia%20natural%20park%201%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Ushuaia%20natural%20park%205%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Ushuaia%20natural%20park%204%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Ushuaia%20natural%20park%202%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Ushuaia%20natural%20park%203%20800%20wm.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

At the end of our tour in national park we had light lunch in the bar of camping area...just light while we were waiting our last dinner in our steak place.

We had gotten a good friend there..old gentleman who everytime was serving us.

While finishing the lunch I saw one strange bird outside...I took my camera and ran after it...finally I found two of them. Later on we clarified to name of them in our hotel trough internet...the latin name they have is Polyporys plancus...local name Carancho:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Carancho-%20Polyporus%20plancus%201%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Carancho-%20Polyporus%20plancus%202%20800%20wm.jpg/full

We had also some other hawks there, which came close to us after pieces of bread:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Hawk%201%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Hawk%203%20800%20wm.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Antarctica%2024.2-14.3.2009%20part%202/Hawk%205%20800%20wm.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

Here you can find my summary of the trip to Ushuaia and Antarctica:

Summary:

Ken asked would I go there again and the answer is: definately.

Very often when we are going somewhere we have expectations, which are based on what we have heard and read and seen pictures and videos...and even though the expectations are wrong. When the expectations clear out to be wrong, it is normal to feel little disapointed.

After being there I can say that that the trip was not really diving trip...but so what we saw some unique things, which are not to be seen anywhere else, during the trip...you will absolutely not forget them ever.

The activity we had in Ushuaia was great plus to whole experience and absolutely worth of spending couple of days there.

The weather we had, was supporting of making pictures and videos and enjoy overall experience... some other groups can have totally opposite luck with weather.

One important thing is, when having trips, is that you have good team with you...that makes half of the success...everything else you are targeting is much easier with good team. We had great team, and I want to thank everybody for that.

Couple of thing we missed:

- king penguin
- elephant seal
- sauna

I tried to get somebody with me to sauna in the boat....unfortunately the program was rather tight for that...but not impossible...would have been great experience. When we had time for that the see was too rough and it was impossible to have sauna.

I have loaded nearly 300 pics to this report and hope to give to those, who are planning to visit there, more realistic expectations. I should say that just skip couple of dives and use more times to land visits...this is of coarse just my opinion.

Diving could have been more effective...even 3 dives per day by having more tanks, two compressors, more boats, weights to everybody...but I don’t think we would have seen much more things UW.

To do the safari like this where part of the group is having different program is giving limitations to reach perfect diving plan. For example the leopard seal was the best UW experience in Antarctica and I could have done more than one dive there...but I feel non divers program, pushed us to reach next site with “rush”.

I am not expert of doing trips like this and it might be that risks with ice and weather can be the must, which is changing the plans, but even though I was disappointed to loose one whole day from the trip and not to see those elephant seals...the value of trip was so high that loosing one day made activity days even more expensive.

We got great food during all the trip, great steaks in Ushuaia and full menu in Alexei Marushev...I have no complaints about that...wine tasting was nice extra with the food.
( Jonathan the wine we had last evening was Rutini, Malbec 2007 ).

I feel also that whole crew had the target to make from the trip unique experience for all of us...I have to give great thanks to all of them.

I went once trough whole our thread... it is giving great view to whole trip and actually I can renew whole trip by going trough this thread from the beginning...if adding some more we have to make book.

Sorry, I missed the regards from Christie...I still warmly remember you from our Yap-trip.

Thanks to everybody who have followed and commented the thread...hope you have enjoyed!

Jukka

[Jonathan Bird]

I see that Jonathan doesn't look happy in the photos; is there a story behind this? ;)

No, Jukka is going for the candid shot....never announces he is about to take a picture so I have time to smile...so he gets "natural" expressions. :D

[Jonathan Bird]

IWhat I know he is not looking happy only in Delta's office.


You can say that again!!

[Jonathan Bird]

( Jonathan the wine we had last evening was Rutini, Malbec 2007 ).



That's funny because Julia came over for dinner last night and she brought a bottle of the 2007 Doña Paula Malbec that we liked!

I think Jukka's summary is accurate. I did enjoy the diving, but clearly you need a private expedition to do serious diving in Antarctica. The topside is spectacular though!

Jonathan

[tkelly]

Jukka your pictures are just awesome! Must have been a great trip even if you had to spend time in water that is filled with ice cubes.

[sorvju-f]

Jukka your pictures are just awesome! Must have been a great trip even if you had to spend time in water that is filled with ice cubes.

Thanks Tkelly!

You know that some people even want to add ice to their cocktails to get the maximum enjoyment:D

The pictures I have added to this thread has been adjusted with PC, when I look them with Mac the colors are not so strong...soon I will have only Mac in my use and I hope that the quality will be good also with PC.

Jukka

[Ken Hawk]

Well done Jukka.
You have done a great job with this thread, it is a must read for anyone going to Antartica.

Some great pics, like how you made the anenomes look very intresting, I will have to stop ignoring them when I dive at home from now on ;)

Thanks Ken