Antarctic Reflections

Here is where lives have ended. This is the place with unbearable cold. Comers and goers, I welcome you to Antarctica.

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Splash. Slam. Ohhoooooga. Look! I see a Humpback Whale swimming in the very cold waters of Antarctica. Snowflakes fall on your nose and eyelashes. A strong gust of wind blows so hard you feel like floating away. This is summer. Although you are freezing cold, the penguins are hot in this weather. They lift up their wings, revealing a pink sort of skin, letting go of hot air!

As you walk in the icy snow, you are reminded of the famous explorer Shackleton. This man was known because of failing two times in the attempt to get to be the first to cross Antarctica. He returned to tell his wife the most famous quote, “would you rather have a dead lion or an alive donkey?” As you think of that quote you would say “alive donkey…sure of it…yah.”

When you are done with seeing the whales, penguins, and glaciers, you go back to the boat knowing lots.

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And now, I thank you comers and goers for joining us in Antarctica.

It was an exciting time to visit Antarctica because it was summertime there and penguins were busy caring for their hatchlings! 🐧 We saw four types of penguins (in photo order Gentoo, Adélie, Chinstrap, and not pictured, Rockhopper). 🐧 It was amazing and as a result of the penguin activity, the landings were very noisy (with family penguin songs) and pretty smelly! 📸: Our amazing Naturalist Guide, Heidi Krajewski. // . #penguins #gentoo #chinstrap #adelie #chicks #travelwithkids #antarctica #travelingfamily #familytravel #globaladventure #travelblogger #worldtraveler #parentswhowander

65 Likes, 5 Comments - Franklin Street Globetrotters (@franklin_street_globetrotters) on Instagram: "It was an exciting time to visit Antarctica because it was summertime there and penguins were busy..."

This is a young elephant seal that is about a year old and clearly going through his first "catastrophic molt" (an annual shedding process to regrow thicker and stronger skin and fur). During this time, seals must stay out of the water and they just "wallow" in their sadness and discomfort together. At about 9-12 months, before the pup's first molt, the mom will abandon him/her. This little guy wanted to cuddle anything it could, from lifejacket bags to camera boxes. He was too cute. ❤️// . 📸: First pic was taken by our Naturalist, Heidi Krajewski// . #familytravel #travelingfamily #aroundtheworld #antarctica #elephantseal #molt #nature #natgeo

53 Likes, 3 Comments - Franklin Street Globetrotters (@franklin_street_globetrotters) on Instagram: "This is a young elephant seal that is about a year old and clearly going through his first..."

Have you ever seen Humpback Whales sleeping? If you look closely in this picture, you can see the mom and calf lying still in the water (two black lines). This was Aila's favorite day because we went into Neko Harbor and just heard the whales sleeping/breathing until we found them. There were so many whales just near the zodiac...it was breathtaking. Enjoy! 🐳// . 📸: Credit for three stills in the video go to Heidi Krajewski (our Naturalist Guide). // . #familytravel #travelingfamily #auroraexpeditions #aroundtheworld #antarctica #humpbackwhale #whale #whaletail #travelwithkids #travel #travelblogger #travelersnotebook

25 Likes, 0 Comments - Franklin Street Globetrotters (@franklin_street_globetrotters) on Instagram: "Have you ever seen Humpback Whales sleeping? If you look closely in this picture, you can see the..."