The day of landing on continental Antarctica (ie, mainland rather than an island) finally arrived.
We landed on a place called Danco and hiked up the steep icy hills of the land to watch the delightful shenanigans of a new kind of penguin: the Gentoo penguin
Gentoo penguins have distinctive coral-orange beaks and feet, a black head and back, and a white crown atop their heads.
Their pelt (penguins in general) is uniquely designed to tolerate Arctic temperatures of the air and the water. They have 3 layers, an inner thermal layer of fur, a middle windproof section to hold all the layers together, and an outer waxy layer of feathers with special glands that constantly secrete oil that creates a waterproofing effect. This allows them to get in and out of ice and polar waters and cold winds without being the least bit bothered.
Penguins get around via Penguin Highways, these elaborate gametrails of matted down ice and snow. These highway networks are a marvel and watching penguins waddle adorably up and down and all around is a true treat. We used their highways to find our way safely up and down the hillside ourselves. Of course, in case of a traffic jam, the penguins Always had right of way.
Finally, my favorite part of our Gentoo watching hike was their mating ritual. The Gentoos call out to one a other, a call very distinct from the Chinstraps'. Their mating dance move is an elegant deep bow to one another, followed by copulation, and a couple's siesta nap immediately after. By the end of our hike, the hill was covered in napping couples on their bellies.
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