Temperatures are warming, the sea ice is thinning and breaking up, and wildlife is beginning to appear around McMurdo Station. In the past couple of days, I've had the opportunity to take trips away from the station, and each time I've been lucky enough to encounter some Antarctic icons.From top to bottom, these are:
The skua, a scavenging bird, which feeds on other birds' eggs, various young animals, and many other things too disgusting to mention here. They are adept at spotting food being carried from the galley across McMurdo Station, and commonly swoop down and snatch items from peoples' hands. It pays to look up when leaving the galley, as they tend to perch above the doorways.
A Weddell Seal, lying next to the hole it's made in the sea ice. The seal lay on its back and peered around at us. The Royal Society Range is visible in the background.
An Adelie Penguin, which crossed the road as we were travelling in a Mattrack across the sea ice. It was alone and seemed to be lost.
