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Moving north from the Antarctic Peninsula, that had been our mesmerizing home over the previous days, we transferred to the South Shetland Isles where a combination of the threat of strong weather and exposed landings left us apprehensive as to whether we would actually get to experience them at all. However, a short time after dawn the sun beamed down on Bailey Head, revealing cliffs with nesting Southern Giant Petrels, and beaches lined with more Chinstrap Penguins.
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We actually ended up landing in three different places. At one of these, Deception Point, I busied myself with the Southern Giant Petrels, that were nesting on the rocky outcrops, resting on the beaches, and soaring overhead...
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I even got to get up close to a fluffy chick revealing its large tubenose in the process, that they use to track down food, when at sea and scavenging all they can in penguin and seal colonies.
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