Midwinter Solstice in Antarctica

Posted on June 4, 2011 by Haich
Antarctica Midwinter Dinner Table Setting and Menu

Midwinter Soltice is a Very Special Occasion in Antarctica

Midwinter Madness a Big Celebration in Antarctica

Midwinter or Winter Solstice in Antarctica would have to be the most celebrated event of the year. Continue reading →

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Birds of Antarctica and Sub Antarctica.

Posted on May 27, 2011 by Haich
Birds of Antarctica - Light Mantled Sooty Albatross in Sub Antarctica

The Elegant Light Mantled Sooty Albatross in Sub Antarctica

Birds of the South Polar Regions

My first trip to Antarctica in 2001 is when I learned what a Twitcher is, before that I just thought it was someone with a nervous disposition, however it is someone with a passion for sighting and identifying bird species. Continue reading →

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Travelling in Antarctica – Modes of Transport

Posted on May 14, 2011 by Haich

How To Travel To and In Antarctica

The Aurora Australis Icebreaker in Antarctica

Icebreaker Ship The Aurora Australis


There are two choices for mode of transport when traveling to Antarctica either as a tourist or to work there. It’s either by ship or aeroplane, however ship is by far the most popular, particularly for Tourist Cruises and Voyages. Continue reading →

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Clothing in Sub Antarctica

Posted on April 11, 2011 by Haich

Clothing in Sub Antarctica, different but similar

Clothing in Sub Antarctica is different but similar to clothing worn on the Antarctic continent.

The correct clothing to wear in sub Antarctica

"Click for a larger image"

The main difference is that in sub Antarctica it rains and it can be a cold, wet and windy climate. Continue reading →

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Ten Reasons To Travel to Antarctica

Posted on April 5, 2011 by Haich


Why Visit Antarctica?

Full Moon rises over pateau in Antarctica

A peaceful serene full moon rises over pristine Antarctica

Why go to Antarctica? Why is antarctica a great place to visit? Because if you are looking for a holiday, voyage or adventure with a difference you can not go past Antarctica. Why visit a cold extreme place like Antarctica? you may ask, well it really is the last mostly unexplored frontier on earth. Everything about Antarctica is unspoiled, it is pristine and has some of the most awesome scenery and wildlife on this planet. Continue reading →

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The Antarctic Gentoo Penguin

Posted on March 31, 2011 by Haich

Gentoo Penguin Pygoscelis Mitochondrial

Gentoo penguins building nest in sub Antarctica

A pair of Gentoo Penguins preparing their nest

The Gentoo penguin is a classic penguin of which many fictional penguin characters have been modeled from, including Tux the Linux mascot penguin.

They are easily identified by their yellow feet, orange bill and little white bonnet extending across the top of their head. Continue reading →

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Tourist Cruises to Antarctica and Sub Antarctica.

Posted on March 17, 2011 by Haich
Antarctic Cruise Ship and Elephant seal weaners

A visiting tourist ship and some excited Elephant seal weaners.

Tourist Ships visit Sub-Antarctica

There are many tour operators that conduct cruises and voyages to the Antarctica region. The Sub Antarctica region is one of the areas the frequent the most as it is relatively the easiest to access and the wildlife is just so plentiful and awesome, it is a photographers heaven. Continue reading →

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The Southern Elephant Seal Bull (Mirounga leonina).

Posted on March 4, 2011 by Haich

Or – Big Bad Blubbery Bulls.

Big fat blubbery elephant seal bull

A huge fat angry looking Elephant Seal Bull (Mirounga leonina) at Macquarie Island

These enormous mammals are a sight to behold. I recall the first time I came across a male Elephant Seal bull on one of the islands off Casey in Antarctica, I was impressed at the size, and that was only a young bull, not yet his full size. Continue reading →

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Antarctica – Home of the Blizzard

Posted on February 20, 2011 by Haich
Photo of Attempting to walk in an Antarctic Blizzard

Trying to keep upright while walking in Blizzard conditions

While I was in Antarctica the conditions that defined a Blizzard were described to me as follows:

“To be officially a blizz it has to be blowing over 34 knots (61.2 km/hr), visibility less than 100 metres, be a minus temperature, and last for over 3 hours.”

Continue reading →

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Where to see a Royal Penguin on your Antarctic cruise

Posted on February 2, 2011 by Haich
Royal Penguins in Antarctica taken on Antarctic cruise

Royal Penguin (Eudyptes schlegeli)

The Royal Penguin

If you are planning an Antarctic cruise you may want to get a photo or at least a viewing of these gregarious little fellows.

From a distance Royal penguins (Eudyptes schlegeli) can be mistaken for Rockhopper penguins and vice versa, however Royal penguins are larger and do not have the black crest. Close up they are unmistakable. Unlike the Rockhopper penguins the only place in the world that Royal penguins breed is Macquarie Island. Continue reading →

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