Above a nice freshwater lake that we were sampling and below the black waters of the 'Pond of Death'
Yes from a distance it looked like a luscious green pond surrounded by the multitudes of baby Adele’s who are only concerned with where there next meal comes from. On closer inspection it was not a mirage but a ‘Pond of Death’ (In a deep voice to make it all the scarier) which was black with the rancid filth of goodness knows what in it. There were more penguin carcases than you could imagine and all in different states of decomposition. This in itself is unusual as there are no bacteria or decomposers in Antarctica but they seemed to be breaking down. The ‘Pond of Death’ may just lure its prey down from the rookery or they may attempt to get rid of their dead or all those who touch it ultimately die!
To top off the day I went for a little pre bed stroll that just took my breath away! Sitting at the Fulmar colony not too far from the Smartie I was able to watch in peace as they all went about their business. Some of the older chicks were unattended but far from helpless as they would sound the alert as fast and loud as they could. Their parents returning from time to time to feed them and see what all the fuss was about, Cape Petrels are also mixed into the cacophony of sounds that are the northern sea cliffs of Hop Island. Their chicks seem to be the ones that are at times unattended so I can only assume that they are older than the Fulmar chicks. Of course no bit of wildlife ever goes undetected and care free. The Skua’s are also there with their spawn of the undertakers never far from the action.
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