Chinstrap Penguins on Half-moon Island

January 31, 1994

We saw the wooden ship that Lars-Eric described to us yesterday in his adventure story, up on the beach, high up away from the water. It was falling apart and rotting away.

Landing craft from Lars-Eric's adventure story

The penguins on Half-moon Island were for the most part oblivious of the visitors from the Marco Polo.

Chinstrap penguin covered with guano and mud from sliding

They went about their business, walking between the various large penguin groups, hopping onto and off of large rocks and up and down the rocky paths on the island, and bantering with each other in the rookeries. Some of them walked around a lot, sometimes stopping to stretch themselves vertically and make breying sounds: probably some form of demonstration. Others lay on their stomachs and eyes us nervously (or sleepily) as we walked by.

Penguins walking around (above) and resting (below)

In the rookeries, they nipped at each other to protect their territory and brayed at each other to demonstrate their power and attractiveness. The rookeries made a lot of noise, but those on their own were for the most part quiet.


You may continue to explore the island with us, or return to today's table of contents.