After leaving Arctowski, we sailed down the South Shetland islands, admiring the views:
Our next stop was the tiny Half Moon Island, a scrap of land off the largish Livingston Island. Here some went off kayaking:
While I went in search of penguins. This is chinstrap territory:
A few of the slower birds were still mating — a rather tender and fluttery affair, although it does involve the male standing on the female’s back:
But most had progressed to brooding:
Whoever isn’t on the nest has the job of providing pebbles, either to raise it or to replace those stolen by neighbours:
Relationships with neighbours can get a bit testy:
And it’s not the easiest place to keep one’s feathers sparkling white:
Life in the colony has its good sides, though; there’s always someone to join you in a song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47E5k3EYqt4
Other birds hang around as well, looking either for scraps:
Or for companionship: this single Macaroni Penguin is a regular visitor:
After visiting the colony, there was still time for a last look around before returning to the Fram:
Just love the penguins singing.