Antarctica

Sundown

Some ice.

Campbell Island to Ross Sea, November 16, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Iceberg

One of our first large icebergs.

Ross Sea, November 17, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Fresh Ice

Open areas develop thin, fresh ice.

Ross Sea, November 17, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Icebreaking

Crack created by the Kapitan Khlebnikov pushing deeper into the Ross Sea.

Ross Sea, November 17, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Big Iceberg

These large icebergs broke off of one of the major ice shelves.

Ross Sea, November 17, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Adelie Penguins

Pygoscelis adeliae - first penguins seen close enough to photograph.

Ross Sea, November 18, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Breaking Ice

Ross Sea, November 18, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Ice

Ross Sea, November 18, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Breaking Ice

Ross Sea, November 18, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Adelie Penguins

Pygoscelis adeliae

Ross Sea, November 18, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Adelie Penguins

Pygoscelis adeliae

Ross Sea, November 18, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Ice

Nice color in the ice.

Ross Sea, November 18, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguin

Aptenodytes forsteri

Ross Sea, November 18, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Ice

Some icicles under the edge.

Ross Sea, November 18, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Finger Ice

Movement in the fresh ice creates this pattern as layers slide over each other.

Ross Sea, November 18, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Crabeater Seal

Lobodon carcinophaga

Ross Sea, November 18, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Snow Petrel

Pagodroma nivea - record photo only.

Ross Sea, November 18, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Ice

Icicles.

Ross Sea, November 18, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Crabeater Seal

Lobodon carcinophaga

Ross Sea, November 18, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Crabeater Seal

Lobodon carcinophagus

Ross Sea, November 18, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Minke Whale

Balaenoptera bonaerensis - deep in the ice in an open area called a 'lead'.

Ross Sea, November 18, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Minke Whale

Balaenoptera bonaerensis

Ross Sea, November 18, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Ice

Ross Sea, November 18, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Breaking Ice

Moving through a series of leads.

Ross Sea, November 18, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Pancake Ice

One of the many forms of ice in polar regions, a result of movement in thin ice areas.

Ross Sea, November 19, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Ice

Ross Sea, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Penguin Tracks on Ice

Ross Sea, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

LJax

We were helicoptered to within one mile of the Emperor Penguin colony and then walked to the colony.

Franklin Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 20, 2011

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Debbie Jackson

Emperor Penguin

Aptenodytes forsteri

Franklin Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Debbie

On the one mile walk to the Emperor Penguin colony.

Franklin Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguins

Aptenodytes forsteri - probably parents and their chick.

Franklin Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguins

Aptenodytes forsteri - the highlight of the trip was the visit to the Emperor Penguin colony.

Franklin Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 20, 2011

2011-11-20#8069

Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguins

Aptenodytes forsteri

Franklin Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguins

Aptenodytes forsteri

Franklin Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguins

Aptenodytes forsteri - feet raised to minimize heat loss.

Franklin Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguins

Aptenodytes forsteri - we had light snow during our visit.

Franklin Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguins

Aptenodytes forsteri

Franklin Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguin

Aptenodytes forsteri

Franklin Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguins

Aptenodytes forsteri

Franklin Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguins

Aptenodytes forsteri - likely a family.

Franklin Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguins

Aptenodytes forsteri

Franklin Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Adelie Penguin

Pygoscelis adeliae - species of other types are occasional seen.

Franklin Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor & Adelie Penguin

Aptenodytes forsteri & adeliae - size comparison.

Franklin Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Photographers & Emperor Penguins

Aptenodytes forsteri

Franklin Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguins

Aptenodytes forsteri - adult feeding the chick.

Franklin Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguin

Aptenodytes forsteri - resting.

Franklin Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguins

Aptenodytes forsteri

Franklin Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguins

Aptenodytes forsteri

Franklin Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguin

Aptenodytes forsteri - curious chick.

Franklin Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguin

Aptenodytes forsteri - chick exercising it wings.

Franklin Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguins

Aptenodytes forsteri

Franklin Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguins

Aptenodytes forsteri

Franklin Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguins

Aptenodytes forsteri - chick asking to be fed.

Franklin Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguins

Aptenodytes forsteri

Franklin Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguins

Aptenodytes forsteri

Franklin Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguin

Aptenodytes forsteri - another curious chick.

Franklin Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguins

Aptenodytes forsteri - with a Brown Skua looking for any feeding opportunity.

Franklin Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Photographers & Emperor Penguin

Aptenodytes forsteri - a curious adult walked up to us.

Franklin Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguins

Aptenodytes forsteri - chicks resting.

Franklin Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguins 1

Aptenodytes forsteri

Franklin Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, Antarctica, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguins

Aptenodytes forsteri

Franklin Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, Antarctica, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguins

Aptenodytes forsteri

Franklin Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, Antarctica, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguins

Aptenodytes forsteri

Franklin Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, Antarctica, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguins

Aptenodytes forsteri

Franklin Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguin

Aptenodytes forsteri

Franklin Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Brown Skua

Stercorarius antarcticus - opportunistic predator and scavenger.

Franklin Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Brown Skua

Stercorarius antarcticus

Franklin Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Adelie Penguins

Pygoscelis adeliae

Franklin Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Adelie Penguin

Pygoscelis adeliae

Franklin Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Russian Mi2 Helicopter

Our ride back to the Kapitan Khlebnikov.

Franklin Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Franklin Island

Backing our of the ice after our visit to the Emperor Penguin colony.

McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 20, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Beaufort Island

An island we passed heading deeper into the Sound.

McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 21, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguin

Aptenodytes forsteri - popping out of the sea onto the ice where the ship was parked.

Taylor Dry Valley, McMurdo Sound, November 22, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguins

Aptenodytes forsteri

Taylor Dry Valley, McMurdo Sound, November 22, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguin

Aptenodytes forsteri

Taylor Dry Valley, McMurdo Sound, November 22, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Mt. Erebus

The second highest volcano in Antarctica and the southernmost active volcano on earth.

McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 22, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguins

Aptenodytes forsteri - sort of a face off.

Taylor Dry Valley, McMurdo Sound, November 22, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguins

Aptenodytes forsteri

Taylor Dry Valley, McMurdo Sound, November 22, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Debbie & LJax

Kapitan Khlebnikov, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 22, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguins & Photographers

Aptenodytes forsteri

Taylor Dry Valley, McMurdo Sound, November 22, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguin

Aptenodytes forsteri

Taylor Dry Valley, McMurdo Sound, November 22, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguin

Aptenodytes forsteri

Taylor Dry Valley, McMurdo Sound, November 22, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguins

Aptenodytes forsteri - headed back to the sea.

Taylor Dry Valley, McMurdo Sound, November 22, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguins

Aptenodytes forsteri

Taylor Dry Valley, McMurdo Sound, November 22, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguins & Polar Plunge Setup

Aptenodytes forsteri - preparing the ladder used for the Polar Plunge.

Taylor Dry Valley, McMurdo Sound, November 22, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Chris, Beau, Don & Debbie

Getting ready to photograph the Polar Plunge participants.

McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, Antarctica, November 22, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Polar Plunge

Dylan Evoy - one of a number of swimmers in 30.5 degree F water.

McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 22, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Polar Plunge

Mary Gibbs - swimmers wore a harness with rope attached in case of emergency extraction.

McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 22, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Polar Plunge

Irene Jerez

McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 22, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Polar Plunge

Irene Jerez - swimming over to fresh ice.

McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 22, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Emperor Penguin

Aptenodytes forsteri

Taylor Dry Valley, McMurdo Sound, November 22, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Tabular Icebergs

Incredible frozen seascape.

Helicopter, Taylor Dry Valley, McMurdo Sound, November 22, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Polygons

Patterns created by freezing and nearly bare of snow due to Katabatic winds.

Helicopter, Taylor Dry Valley, McMurdo Sound, November 22, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Canada Glacier

Taylor Dry Valley, McMurdo Sound, November 22, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

3000 year old Mummified Crabeater Seal

Freeze dried and scoured by blowing snow particles.

Taylor Dry Valley, McMurdo Sound, November 22, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Canada Glacier

With a frozen lake in front.

Taylor Dry Valley, McMurdo Sound, November 22, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Taylor Dry Valley

Katabatic winds of 100 mph plus and terrain shape keep this area almost free of snow.

McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, November 22, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Canada Glacier

Flying out over the top of the glacier.

Helicopter, Taylor Dry Valley, McMurdo Sound, November 22, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Research Station

Helicopter, Lake Frizel, Taylor Dry Valley, McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, November 22, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Lake Frizel

Helicopter, Taylor Dry Valley, McMurdo Sound, November 22, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Commonwealth Glacier

Helicopter, Taylor Dry Valley, McMurdo Sound, November 22, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Commonwealth Glacier

The top of the glacier.

Helicopter, Taylor Dry Valley, McMurdo Sound, November 22, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Stream Bed

From a time when the continent was very different.

Helicopter, Taylor Dry Valley, McMurdo Sound, November 22, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Tabular Iceberg

The face of a very large, tabular iceberg.

Helicopter, Taylor Dry Valley, McMurdo Sound, November 22, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Iceberg

Helicopter, Taylor Dry Valley, McMurdo Sound, November 22, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Tabular Iceberg

Possibly from the Ross Ice Shelf.

Helicopter, Taylor Dry Valley, McMurdo Sound, November 22, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Adelie Penguin

Pygoscelis adeliae - the weather turned ugly and I only got a few photos before we had to helicopter back to the ship or be stuck on land in survival tents.

Cape Bird, Ross Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, Antarctica, November 24, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Adelie Penguin

Pygoscelis adeliae - the southernmost breeding population on earth is here at Cape Bird.

Cape Bird, Ross Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, Antarctica, November 24, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Adelie Penguins

Pygoscelis adeliae - sitting on eggs, but perfectly adapted to this environment.

Cape Bird, Ross Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, Antarctica, November 24, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Adelie Penguins

Pygoscelis adeliae - we were getting uncomfortable and the helicopters can't fly if they can't see the ground but the penguins were okay.

Cape Bird, Ross Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, Antarctica, November 24, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Snowed In

We were supposed to visit McMurdo Station but the weather was so bad that the helicopters couldn't fly.

McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, November 25, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Blown Ice

Ross Ice Shelf, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, Antarctica, November 27, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Blown Ice

Snow blowing off the Ross Ice Shelf adding to the sea ice.

Ross Ice Shelf, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, Antarctica, November 27, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Ross Ice Shelf & Mt. Terror

Had the weather been better, we would have flown over to the ice for champagne.

McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, Antarctica, November 27, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Ross Ice Shelf

Massive and the source of huge, tabular icebergs.

McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, Antarctica, November 27, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Ice

Interesting pattern seen as we begin the long voyage North.

McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, Antarctica, November 27, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Ice

Continuing North through heavy ice.

Ross Sea, Antarctica, November 28, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Ice

The occasional open area was seen.

Ross Sea, Antarctica, November 29, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Ice

Breaking ice and continuing North.

Ross Sea, Antarctica, November 30, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Tabular Iceberg

Ross Sea, Antarctica, November 30, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Ice

Ross Sea, Antarctica, November 30, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Iceberg

One of the last seen on the voyage.

Ross Sea, Antarctica, November 30, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Kapitan Khlebnikov leaving the Ross Sea Ice

Looking back.

Ross Sea, Antarctica, November 30, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Kapitan Khlebnikov at Ice Edge

Ross Sea, Antarctica, November 30, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Kapitan Khlebnikov

Back in the open sea, the rough conditions return.

Southern Ocean, December 1, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Kapitan Khlebnikov

Wind and waves.

Southern Ocean, December 1, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Kapitan Khlebnikov

Breaking waves across the bow have washed away the snow of the previous night.

Southern Ocean, December 1, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Kapitan Khlebnikov

Seawater breaking over the bow and coming up through the anchor chain hole.

Southern Ocean, December 2, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Kapitan Khlebnikov Rolling

While it may not appear extreme, the movement in our upper level room felt like a lot.

Southern Ocean, December 2, 2011

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Larry L. Jackson

Kapitan Khlebnikov

Bashing through the waves as we near the next stop, Macquarie Island.

Southern Ocean, December 2, 2011

2011-12-02#8627

Larry L. Jackson