Out Boating - Finally some nice weather

In the last two months we have had 2-3 times the 10 year average for precipitation. It also has been exceptionally windy so we haven't really been able to get out boating much lately. Last Sunday I was finally able to go explore another part of an island I've only ever seen covered in snow. It's the largest island in the boating area and is known for it's elephant seals. 

This is a huge male, the biggest I've ever seen here, he even has the funny big nose.

This one was sleeping with it's tongue out.

Finally some sun!

A very good comparison of adult and juvenile Kelp Gulls. 

This island is fairly close to the glacier and allows for safe up close viewing of the glacier face.

There is even a long term glacier time lapse camera positioned here. 

Gap between the island and the glacier. 

Cool rocks. 

An impressive glacier face over in Wylie Bay, beyond the normal boating area.

A bit of moss on a nice ledge. 

Antarctic Hair Grass and moss cohabitating. 

Up close with a different kind of moss. 

More types of moss! There are over 111 types of moss in Antarctica. I can identify maybe 5 or 6. 

This white giant petrel was wandering around and was extremely photogenic.  

Pretending to be a swan. 

The sun came out again and it was getting low in the sky, only a few hours from sunset. It made for stunning light. The baby giant petrels are getting much bigger. 

The white Giant Petrel from earlier walked by again, this time just above a shadowed gulley, with perfect sunlight and with much luck on the timing I captured what might be the best Giant Petrel photo I have ever taken! 

The sun lighting up Dayne Peak, 10 miles to the east of station made for the perfect end to a great day out visiting the local islands.