Seabirds of the Drake Passage

Headed out from our embarkation port of Ushuaia, Argentina the National Geographic Orion pointed south toward the Antarctic Peninsula. Followed by a myriad of sea birds, I enjoyed the challenge of trying to capture them on film as they swooped past our vessel using the updraft to cruise above the waves.

Sooty Albatross

These birds spend the majority of their lives flying above the open ocean. Only returning to land when the season calls for them to mate and hatch their young. Using the strong westerly winds, it is rare to see them flap their wings.

Pintado Petrel

Conserving their energy, some are even known to spend weeks at a time without landing due to the consistency of the wind and its ability to carry them many hundreds of miles in search of available food.

Black Browed Albatross

Southern Petrel

I never thought I would consider an albatross sighting to be a common thing, but after seeing more than a hundred I now view them as welcome travelling companions.

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My First Dive in Antarctica - Neptune's Bellows

December 2014 - 62°58′37″S 60°39′00″W

After a two day crossing of the Drake Passage, the National Geographic Explorer came upon Deception Island. Part of the South Shetlands archipelago and one of the safest harbors in the Antarctic, the island fooled whaling boats for many years. Causing them to sail on by without knowledge of the narrow entry and the safety therein.

The islands hidden nature is caused by the collapse of land following a volcanic eruption. Known as caldera, you may already be familiar with this geological phenomenon if you know of Oregon's Crater Lake. But whereas that is filled with crystal blue fresh water, Deception Island is open to the changing tides of the Southern Ocean.

Joined by my team of divers, Oscar Johansson and Jesper Westermark, the Baker and Head Chef onboard our vessel, we set off to dive the narrow entrance to Deception Island known as NEPTUNE'S BELLOWS. With a strong current and 30F water (-1C) it was not a place for any tomfoolery. Not to mention the potential traffic of large ships passing through.

Whereas Antarctica itself is considered a desert we quickly found that not to be the case underwater. Large Frond Tang (Kelp) stretched up to 8 meters curtaining down from the vertical walls leftover from the volcano's collapse.

Barely an inch of the islands substrate was visible. Covered entirely by sponges competing for real estate.

It was not until the late 1800's that we even realized that sponges were part of the Animal Kingdom. Now, the more we study them the more we learn how vital the role they play is in filtering our ocean's water. Here we see a magnified close up I was able to capture off of Haida Gwaii last summer. Note just how many canals there are for water to pass through which feeds the sponge and cleans the water simultaneously.

Descending to 92 feet, we found all manner of invertebrates. The most interesting being this isopod measuring nearly 5 inches as he reached out with antennae to see who was obstinate enough to put a camera in his face. Many more Antarctic dives to be posted, but there is nothing like the first!

Killer Whale attack in the Southern Ocean

12/04/14 - Searching the waters on the west side of the Antarctic Peninsula the National Geographic Explorer encountered a pod of Type A Killer Whales trying to separate a Minke whale calf from its mother.


Type A Killer Whales are the largest of all Killer Whale on our planet. Easily recognized by their very large white eye patch, these apex predators are known for their keen strategies that succeed in taking down much larger prey.

Successfully separating the calf from its mother, the pod decided to split. Half staying to begin the work of drowning the Minke calf, while the others pursued the mother to see if they could add her to the menu.

In perfect unison, the pod toppled upon the calf. Denying it the ability to break the surface in order to breathe. Here we see the calf lunging for air as the pursuit continues.


Greatly outnumbered, the Minke whale calf had little chance of survival. Here we see a large male biting down on the submerged calf.

And the resulting wound.

Wounded and exhausted the Minke calf makes one last attempt to breathe.

Before succumbing to the inevitable.

It was our great luck to have two NOAA whale biologists on board - Dr. John Durban & Dr. Holly Fearnbach. With a cross bow delivery system, they tag these Killer Whale populations with satellite transmitters enabling a wealth of data to be collected concerning the behaviors and locations of these magnificent creatures. Note the satellite tag attached to the end of the arrow.

With each tag costing several thousand dollars, Dr. Durban must wait for the perfect shot in order that the tag stick firmly within the dorsal fin. This ensures that it will stay fixed and transmitting for 3-4 months.

As John waits for his moment to fire, we witness the true size of this male. That dorsal fin can reach six vertical feet. Killer Whales this size are not found anywhere else in the world.

Successfully tagging several Killer Whales this day, John & Holly are now tracking their movements and YOU CAN TOO!!!

CLICK HERE to go to NOAA's website to track these Killer Whales.

In the right hand column, click on the drop down menu for WHALES and select Dec 4 as the date to track these specific Killer Whales. A very unique opportunity to follow along - too cool not to share!

Photos by Paul North - follownorth.com

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Penguin Colony Lifecycle on the Antarctic Peninsula.

After a two day crossing of the Drake Passage, the National Geographic Explorer steered a course toward the penguin colonies upon Brown Bluff. Being the northernmost tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, it is a known location for penguin colonies.

Waiting for the austral summer to commence, the penguins know exactly when to come to ground to begin preparations. As the ice clears, moss and lichen begin to show their colors once again.

Here Adélie penguins gather in great numbers and choose to nest in close quarters. This can make nest building a bit of a competitive sport.

Choosing which beach rocks to build with is important and competition is everywhere.

Neighbors are not to be trusted, often stealing a rock away when someone is not looking.

But there is satisfaction when finding a mate who can help with the work load.

Once the chicks are hatched they are still in need of the parents warmth and protection.

And of course, the free meals that they provide.

This Brown Skua is one of the many predators that a penguin colony must endure. Patiently waiting at the edge of the colony, it seeks out those who stray too far from their parents' protection.

Unattended eggs also make a meal. Trading a life so that another may go on. As gruesome as this may seem, it is a necessary factor in maintaining the equilibrium of the colony's population.

The cold climate can preserve remains. Telling the story of survival in a landscape riddled with dangers.

And once the breeding season has run its course and the chicks are grown, it is back to the waters of the Southern Ocean to seek food and furtherance for these hearty, flightless birds.

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The Brush-Tail Penguins of Antarctica

Ending 2014 with a journey to the white continent of Antarctica was a dream. Working as the Undersea Specialist with Lindblad Expeditions/National Geographic allowed for many amazing wildlife encounters. Chief among them was meeting all three species of Brush-tail Penguins.

Generally described as 'cute' - I feel this word undermines the endurance and creativity of these survivors. Living in the most unforgiving environment on our planet, they swim, waddle, surf, and build in order to secure the future of their species.

Brush-tail #1: The Gentoo Penguins carefully select their rocks with which to build their nests.

Brush-tail #2: The Adélie Penguin heading to the ocean to feed.

Brush-tail #3: Chin-strap Penguins inspecting the water for predators before they dive in.

Many more photos of these little ones on the way. Until then I leave you with a picture of me in front of our mighty ice breaking vessel the National Geographic Explorer.

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Website Launch - FollowNorth.com

Greetings,

My name is Paul North. This website launches my effort to share the explorations and adventures of diving in some of earth's most remote and wondrous marine ecosystems.

With the privilege of working with Lindblad Expeditions/National Geographic as an Underwater Videographer and Naturalist, my job is to film what I find on my dives and present the natural history of the experience to the guests on-board.

2015 is well booked. Antarctica. Baja California. Alaska. Iceland. Greenland. The Canadian Arctic. Fiji. Tahiti & Easter Island.

Lots to explore on the site currently. Recent trips to Antarctica, Baja California, and Alaska are posted now.

FollowNorth.com

The blog is featured on the website and will update often with stories of marine wildlife encounters.

To begin, a link to Diving Alaska - a video collaboration using my footage and the music of the very talented composer - Vin Gast

Follow along to join me in the experience.

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Inhale. Exhale. Evolve. - 2014 in Review

Greetings, my name is Paul North and I work as Undersea Specialist with Lindblad Expeditions/National Geographic filming and photographing some of our earth's most vibrant underwater ecosystems. 2014 has been a year of great adventure and the coming year looks to be much the same. What I hope to share with this blog is a continued view toward our ocean as a whole.

Increasing our understanding of the creatures inhabiting these waters is the only way to strike back against the damage already done. Thus here I will be sharing photos, videos, and the natural history of my encounters. Follow with me in 2015 as I venture from Alaska to Antarctica, Fiji, Tahiti, the Arctic & beyond searching for life and meaning within the water.

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