January 5, 2023

Aitcho Islands

Today was a Zodiac cruise day because these islands did not have official landing spots. We visited one island with Southern Elephant Seals sunning themselves on the beach. We were not allowed to get too close so the pictures are not the best because the water was a little rough so focusing was difficult! The other island we visited had a Chinstrap Penguin colony on it.

Aitcho Islands

Where we were going.

Aitcho Islands

Aitcho Islands

From here we were going to head north into the Drake Passage, working our way back to the Beagle Channel and Ushuaia.

Southern Elephant Seals

Can you figure out which lumps are rocks and which are seals?

Southern Elephant Seals

Male Southern Elephant Seals are the largest species of seals on the planet. Males can reach up to 20 feet in length and weigh more than 8000 pounds. Females are much smaller. The males develop an elephant-like nose.

Southern Elephant Seals

Southern elephant seals are open ocean predators and spend much of their time at sea. They only come to shore to reproduce and to molt their fur. The rest of the year is spent feeding at sea.