My first Antarctic penguins!
I arrived in McMurdo after an uneventful cold deck flight from WAIS Divide. The last ice collected this season is now in McMurdo, safely in the SafeCore refrigeration units.
It was a magical moment as we broke through the clouds and I saw mountains for the first time in two months. Clear skies and breathtaking views of Mt. Erebus were a fabulous "welcome back!". To top off the excitement of being back in McMurdo, there were Emperor Penguins near the runway! I hadn't seen any penguins in Antarctica yet. It was a real treat to end the season with some beautiful Antarctic wildlife.
Emperor Penguins with the Royal Society Range in the background. It was such a treat to see wildlife!
I am off to bed now after a quick bite to eat! It was a 3.5 hour flight and an hour bus ride back to town. I hope I dream of penguins tonight!
There were over 15 Emperor Penguins on the side of the ice road leading back to McMurdo Station.
Emperor Penguins
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_Penguin
Emperor Penguins with the Royal Society Range in the background. It was such a treat to see wildlife!
Emperor Penguins with the Royal Society Range in the background. It was such a treat to see wildlife!