Shirley Island Penguins!

Drilling the sea ice to see if
it's thick enough to cross.

The group on the way to
Shirley Island from station.

Hikers and adelie penguin
tracks.

Evelyn in the midst of the penguins.

One of the first trips off station for me was a walk to Shirley Island.  It's not far (maybe 1km) but you have to take all your survival gear with you (sleeping bag, bivy sack, ice axe, water rescue equipment, maps, compass, etc) just in case you get stuck out there.  This first trip included lessons on how to drill through the sea ice to make sure it's thick enough to cross.  I don't love crossing the sea ice - it's thickness is very inconsistent and someone fell through in the same area a few years ago and figured they would have been swept under the ice by the current and drowned had they not been lucky and caught themselves with their ice axe.  Although that's a bit scary, the island is worth it.  There are penguins everywhere and if you sit quietly, they will often come over and check you out.

Sign on the way to the Adelie colony.

Skuas - they always lurk around penguin
colonies looking for an easy meal.

A small group of Adelies working on their nests.

The boys were all collecting rocks, which
they do to build their nests and impress
the females.

Checking out the tourists.

Watching them walk and hop and
scoot is always entertaining.

The group heading back to station.