Antarctica

[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!!!


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