Heading south along the Antarctica Peninsula, our ship passed through the Lemaire Channel. The Lemaire Channel extends between Booth Island and the Peninsula. It measures less than 7 miles long, is nearly 500 feet deep, and at its narrowest point is barely 2000 feet wide. You can hear clearly as the many small icebergs and berglets crash and bang into the port and starboard sides of our ship’s hull. An ominous sound to those choosing to sleep in a little. Turn up the volume to get the true experience Throughout this narrow stretch of Antarctic wilderness, we witnessed rugged snow- and ice-covered peaks rising to 3,280 feet. Calving glaciers can send their icebergs into the channel, and can possibly block it completely, we were fortunate. A calving glacier would've assuredly caused huge waves within the channel, possibly damaging the rudders or propellers. In 1898, Adrien de Gerlache, a 19th century Belgian explorer first navigated this treacherous channel. He named it in honor of Charles Lemaire, who never actually explored Antarctica at all. Lemaire’s late 1800’s explorations were mostly the tropical forests of the Congo.
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The Antarctic Sound is a passage separating the Bransfield Strait and Weddell Sea. Centuries of extreme winds, snow, ice, icebergs, and glaciers have scoured and gouged the landscape and shorelines leaving remarkably high peaks and deep valleys. I’m providing two images so everyone can attempt to grasp the distance between the ocean, seas, islands and peninsula being referenced. Upon my first views passing through towards the Weddell Sea, I was awed at how insignificant I am, we are, and how intimidating this world can be. Sailing on this advanced 107.6 meters long steel hulled Polar Class 6 vessel was at times almost like riding a cork bobbing on the vast treacherous waterways, moving at 12 knots. Only briefly in the beginning though, for about five hours, did we actually experience some ‘rough seas’. Exiting Beagle Channel and entering the dreaded southerly trek across the Drake Passage, we encountered sustained winds of 35 knots. Frequent gusts up to 55+ knots made for a somewhat rocky ride along the 8' to 12' seas. Much more on the seas, winds, swells from the bridge will be presented in a future Blog. Fortunately, with modern stabilizers and an excellent crew, it was mostly a pretty smooth ride. Unfortunately, a number of passengers were stricken with a severe bout of sea sickness. The NASA satellite shot included below is of the entire white frozen continent. Note in the far-left upper corner, a thin red line marks the Antarctic Sound. The other image from Google Maps is the Drake Passage. Spanning about 500 nautical miles from Argentina to Elephant Island, our first sighting of land. It is about a 48 hour voyage to cross the Drake. The next day we sailed through the Antarctic Sound into the Weddell Sea, with mostly calm chilly winds hovering around 20 knots or so. Mild ocean swells with mostly clear, sometimes blue skies. I was able to capture still images and a little video. Between zodiac filled shore trips for passengers onto the Antarctic Peninsula and my few dives into the icy waters of the polar region (much more on this soon too), everyone aboard was treated to a host of amazing lectures. Many leading authorities on birds, whales, penguins, icebergs, and a myriad of other relative topics were absolutely invaluable. I’d like to say I had a favorite lecture, but they were all excellent. Even the Chief Engineer, with his strong Romanian accent, unassuming personality, and delightfully dry sense of humor provided an entertaining and informative oration. As you watch my video shorts of our expedition, rest assured our ship’s Captain and his First Officers perfectly navigated and eluded the thousands of icebergs and small berglets that populate the chilly waters. Remember that over 90% of an iceberg is below the surface. The seemingly small, yet massive structures can be formidable and deadly dangerous. Just ask the Captain of the Titanic.
Much more images and videos to come shortly. Shortly after our arrival in Ushuaia, Argentina, we commenced on a tour of a most wonderful and important Argentine National Park - Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego. This area which borders with Chile, is the southernmost west section of Argentina. It is the beginning of the Pan-American Highway and affectionately known as ‘The end of the World’. They do a lot of ‘The end of the World’ talk down here, it’s delightful marketing. My video short was shot near the shores of Beagle Channel in the falling snow. The map below also demonstrates our close proximity to the Chilean border on the island of Tierra del Fuego. Video Short - T'he-end-of-the-World' Our guide was marvelous. Well informed, very good command of the English language, she provided an entertaining and very informative tour. My interest is typically viewing and photographing wildlife first, but on this tour the landscape, nature, and snow provided dramatic images. I hope everyone enjoys viewing this as much as we enjoyed experiencing it. In my video entitled ‘llaullao and Mistletoe’ our guide explains an interesting parasitic, yet edible growth on the trees. Video Short - 'llaullao_and_Mistletoe' While there are no large or dangerous animals like lions or pumas, the park is filled with delightful birds, waterfowl and even the significant Glacier King Salmon. In 2021, the Argentine government took the essential action of banning salmon farming. I strongly commend this action! Parque Nacional is home to the massive Andean Condor with a wingspan up to three meters, Albatross with a two-and-a-half-meter wingspan, and the Magellan Woodpecker. The Common Goose, Kelp Geese, various other ducks and waterfowl, and even beaver are found here. Beavers were introduced in the 1900’s for their pelts. Unfortunately, shortly thereafter, they were deemed nearly worthless, and with no natural predator have been wreaking havoc on the slow growing forest and grass’s ability to develop and survive. In this rugged extreme environment, a minor disruption can take years or decades to recover. Park rangers and locals are encouraged to hunt and kill the beaver in order to slow or halt the destruction they cause. Often see is the Red Fox, the largest four-legged land predator in the park and may grow to 12 kilos. While often spotted, we did not any on this day. This is a many part series by 'Made In Puget Sound' on two weeks in the
'Frozen White World of Antarctica'. Soon after the MV Hondius left Ushuaia, Argentina, we headed through Beagle Channel towards the dreaded Drake Passage. More to come later on our incredible crossings of the Drake later. Our first sighting of land was Elephant Island, named for its once huge population of Elephant Seals. Unfortunately, weather proved too dangerous to attempt an approach of the shores of Elephant Island.
For those not familiar, if you’ve not read about or seen documentaries about the explorations of Ernest Shackleton, watching restored old color movies and stills from the early 20th century do not do justice to what these men endured to survive. Resting in the comfort of your warm living room, on your cozy couch, with your TV remote and refrigerator nearby, one cannot possibly appreciate the conditions of this isolated island in the Southern Ocean. The extreme cold, exceedingly high winds, blinding snowstorms, being forced to cross deadly and unfathomable glacial crevices were only a few of the challenges these men faced. And they considered themselves very fortunate to survive long enough to get off the ocean and to the safety of dry land. My images were shot from a distance of a mile or more, with bitter cold and harsh winds, and occasional freezing rain or snow pelting our ship, me and my camera. We were scheduled to make landfall and visit the memorial, but it was impossible to attempt a landing. An excellent day to record Plumose Anemones at more than 80 feet beneath the surface of Puget Sound Underwater. This is the largest species of anemone in the world. They may grow to four feet tall and live longer than 400 years. They can be white, red or orange. This is a filter feeding animal not a plant, capturing small organisms floating past. They attach to rocks, pipes, old submerged sinks and toilets. I've included shots of a Mottled Sea Star and a Graceful Decorator Crab. Our waters are filled with beautiful, colorful amazing creatures. The goal of Made In Puget Sound is to protect, promote and save our delicate wildlife. Below is a 4K Video Short of Plumose Anemones. This past weekend the Live Stream Crew of ‘Made In Puget Sound’ reassembled for our first or two practice and test events of 2023. Samantha, Anson, Avery and I dusted off and unpacked our highly specialized electronic equipment and electronics designed to operate in our cold, green, murky Northwest waters. These brilliant, highly motivated young marine biology students worked with me during 2022 to create the first ever live streaming, interactive, in real-time method for conducting totally unique underwater research in Puget Sound. Once the batteries were charged, and gear assembled / tested on dry land, it was time to head to the water. It was a spectacular day. The weather was nearly perfect, visibility below the surface was about 20 feet. Although there was not an abundance of wildlife to video during this first experiment in nearly six months, we were able to successfully complete the battery of tests. As expected, we had issues with cables getting tangled, communications equipment momentarily failing, cameras intermittently blinking out, and minor issues piloting our amazing 4K underwater drone. All will easily be worked out. In our video you can hear sporadic street noise near the dock and a few curious bystanders trying to get a glimpse at what we are doing. On the bottom, note the discarded bikes, dive gear and other trash. We often see and report on the many abandoned fishing lures, lines and nets, along with the increasing accumulation of pollutants, toxins, plastics that our wildlife must survive. In a few weeks we will be conducting our second and final test before the launch of the 2023 season of Puget Sound Underwater Live. If you're a teacher, school administrator, or student, and would like your class to get involved and interact with our diver(s) and scientists as we conduct live underwater research of our ecosystems and its wildlife, please contact me. Our live events are free, no charge, no cost to schools! Everyone is invited to participate and view our live or recorded events on YouTube Live. Ask questions from the comfort of your classroom, laboratory or home. For dates and times of upcoming events, please send me an email. Notices will be sent out a few days in advance of an event. Please note that our live events are wind, weather, tides and currents dependent. Our first and primary goal is the safety of our crew, followed with the safety of the plants and animals we engage with. We never touch, move, stage, or harm any animals ever. We have a strong appreciation for our delicate wildlife and the ecosystems they inhabit. Our team of amazing young marine biology student volunteers (the Live Crew) and myself research and uncover the wonderful world of Puget Sound Underwater. We explore the depths beneath the surface to reveal rarely seen and mostly under studied fantastic creatures that populate our estuary. Our first of its kind in the world, live streaming, interactive, underwater events identify and report on fish species and wildlife populations, report on crab and shrimp habitats, and much more. We measure water temperatures, and salinity levels, while documenting the many toxins, pollutants, and issues presenting challenges to our delicate and precious local ecosystems. Samantha, Zoe, Anson, Avery, Dylan and the rest of Live Crew learn more every year how vital our work is to the scientific community, students and everyone that lives in the Northwest. Puget Sound is home to not only salmon, orcas and the Giant Pacific Octopus, but so many other wonderful creatures, such as the Hooded Nudibranch. One of about 89 different species of nudibranch or sea slug in our waters, This is one of the very few in the world that can actually swim. They possess many unusual characteristics. They have both male and female reproductive organs. Their eggs, as many as 30,000 are fertilized internally. They can escape from predation by dropping one of their cerata, and there's more. For this and so much more great information about these gorgeous and somewhat rare animals, that only occasionally populate our waters, spend a few short minutes watching my latest video. Learn how you can Get Involved either in person or with your financial help. Every dollar goes toward our work, we are all volunteers, including myself. If you have questions, suggestions, or comments please reach out. Thank you, and I hope you enjoy and learn something new. Although the weather was cold and rainy, with the occasional snowfall, it was a great month in Puget Sound Underwater. I love being in the world of our amazing wildlife. I work to protect our ecosystems and its wildlife. If you would like to get involved in our work, contact me directly on this site. Original 4K Video Short - Barnacle-eating Nudibranch
This latest 4K video production features some very cool and beautiful animals that inhabit our amazing, cold, green waters of Puget Sound. Nudibranchs, snail, shrimp, crab, sea stars and more, all shot on location, beneath the surface. 4K Compilation Video
Our group of volunteer biologists, marine researchers and photographers are constantly working to bring the local underwater world directly into classrooms, laboratories and aquariums. Recently we spotted a tiny juvenile Red Rock Crab (Cancer productus). Below is a 4K video short of our encounter. Recently I agreed to help Sound Action with a very interesting and possibly important research project. About a year ago the nonprofit watchdog group working on near shore projects. More can be read on their website: Sound Action. In October I agreed to do a little 'clean up' with the organization. It seems that their stationary and anchored camera needs basic and routine cleaning. In our cold, green, murky waters, barnacles and other things can begin to grow on the outer glass casing. This can clog its self cleaning system that it rarely suffers in warm tropical waters. When asked if I could help, I quickly said yes and am about to do my second cleaning in the next few days. Amy Carey of Sound Action, posted a short video of me doing a little cleaning. The camera and its housing rest in about 25' to 35 ' off shore of the Point Robinson Lighthouse. Anyone can view the work of the camera, which is posting live videos, sometimes up to 24 hours each day. View 'Orca Cam' anytime. This is noble work. I am happy to be helping another nonprofit, in Puget Sound Underwater. For a couple decades our oceans, lakes and streams have been warming. Puget Sound has been warming also. During just the last 14 years, the temperature of Puget Sound has increased an average of nearly 10 degrees. There are many reasons why this is happening. Increasing population causing increasing pollution, global warming, and much more.
During the winter months the water temperature does drop a bit. My dive computer records temperatures fairly accurately. This winter I've noticed the temps have dropped to about 50 degrees. This is good in that this helps the wildlife, but be certain, the temps will increase this summer to extreme temps once again. Kelp and eel grass beds provide an important region for small wildlife in Puget Sound. Twice daily tides and strong currents bring vital and rich nutrients for our animals, along with shelter from predation.
Unfortunately, these areas are suffering from a multitude of hazards. Increasing pollutants and toxins are killing off the Kelp. Heavy metals and micro-plastics are infiltrating our waters and ecosystems. Increasing acidification and warming waters are all contributing to the problems. The marine life is in great distress, and we should all be concerned. Many of the beautiful small animals below live and thrive in our kelp beds for safety and food. We at Made In Puget Sound are working to help save these vital regions. Join Us! During my first visit to Pullman, Washington, I launched my drone and captured a few video clips of the famous falls. The historic falls were formed almost 15,000 years ago, while the Palouse has been in existence for nearly two billion years. We'll be returning in the Spring for our daughter's graduation from WSU. Spring colors will be exploding at that time. Fresh-water is not necessarily a good thing. Although this time of year is usually excellent for underwater exploration, until the weather gets so bad it becomes very difficult to enter and exit the water.The viz is declining every week from all the rains. As fresh-water infuses with salt water it becomes a little cloudy. The fresh-water runoff also carries pollutants and toxins from our streets, highways, and yards into the Sound and Salish Sea. I'm sure our delicate wildlife do not enjoy the taste of motor oil and heavy metals. Something to think about. Populations of many animals is looking very good. Schools of Perch, Tubesnout and Herring still present. Depending on where I am, I will find different nudibranch species. Alki is home to many Diamondback and Striped, not so much in other areas. Food source is the main reason. First time I personally have spotted so many Cryptic Kelp Crabs. They seemed to be everywhere. In Elliot Bay, I spotted quite a few Kelp Greenlings, big ones. This seems to be a recent trend. I've typically found few if any in this part of the Sound. Curious why that is. Will be out next week with another report on our amazing wildlife and the conditions of Puget Sound Underwater. A very good day in Puget Sound Underwater. Some of my very favorites and a few somewhat rare animals. The shrimp I photographed I could not identify. There are so many different types of shrimp in our waters, it's nearly impossible to know them all. It's also rare to spot PSL's this late in the year. Although not unheard of, but because the Kelp is mostly dying off now, the PSL's seem to disappear, are preyed upon, or go into hibernation(?). We don't really know where they go at the end of the year. Lots of beautiful Red Octopuses all the time. The decorator crabs, one juvenile, the other a bit older, looked fabulous. So many nudibranchs all over. It's very nice to see lots of healthy little nudi's. Finally, still seeing massive schools of tubesnout, Perch and Herring. Excellent conditions in Puget Sound Underwater. The viz is excellent, around 30 to 40 feet, in spite of the rains. The wildlife is looking strong. Huge schools of Herring, Tubesnouts, and Perch. This morning the bottom was covered with Coonstripe Shrimp. Their numbers have been exploding, but today was truly amazing. Watch my short 4K video to see. The 4K Video Short below focuses on Coonstripe Shrimp (Panadalus danae) covering the bottom. As the weather turns cold and wet, conditions below the surface also changes. The Kelp dies off. Fresh water from rains infuse into the Sound, so the animals go deeper or die off. This is the circle of life. We will continue to report on the changes and its affects on our wonderful wildlife. Your company, organization or you directly can bring the amazing underwater world of Puget Sound directly to local schools. Choose any school, or make a contribution and we will select a local marine biology program. For as little as $500.00, they will receive 25 copies of the award winning Puget Sound Underwater.
Thourouly researched, we have documented many of the animals that inhabit our cold local waters. We discuss the relationships between and effects from our mountains, rivers, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Salish Sea all have on our unique estuary. Support schools and the eduction of our local youth, from primary, middle, high schools to college students. Contact Made In Puget Sound for more information. One of the most colorful creatures we have in out cold local waters is the Red rock crab (Cancer productus). Cancer productus is one of several species known as red rock crabs, and is commonly nicknamed the Pearl of the Pacific Northwest. I've uploaded a short video of a few different Red rock's. Please enjoy. It's been a big winter for tiny crabs, shrimp and other creatures in the cold green waters of Puget Sound. Below are a few of my fav's of '22 so far. If you're able to look close enough, you can actually spot the pupils of the Blackeyed hermit eyes. Also, if you had to lug around a heavy shell, you'd probably catch a ride on a larger hermit to lighten the load. The weather during January has allowed for minimal exploration below the surface. But I have been looking at the waters from Skyline Wall in Anacortes to Les Davis in Tacoma. Most of the animals I'm spotting and photographing are small to tiny. My Nauticam SMC is excellent for getting subjects only a millimeter or two in size. Shrimp are not my specialty, so if I've incorrectly named any of them, please feel free to correct me. As Winter turns to Spring in the coming months, Kelp and Eel grass beds will provide for food and shelter for many of the other amazing wildlife in our Puget Sound.
Every month we post some of the most interesting plants and animals of Puget Sound, in their own environment. As I've said many times, never is our wildlife moved, staged, touched, hurt in any way. We are extremely cautious to make certain no wildlife is touched, moved, hurt while we study and report on them.
Enjoy the latest images and information we learn about our local, unique, spectacular wildlife in Puget Sound Underwater. The waters of Puget Sound have been degrading for numerous years beginning decades ago. Population growth has been expanding at an ever increasing rate. Population growth is causing increased traffic, oils and heavy metals leaching into storm drains. Tire reefs and telephone pools have been dumped into the waters. And there are many other issues.
Our organization is working to stop this problem and protect our waters, ecosystems and wildlfe. January 2022 we have updated and improved with professionals in their respective fields. Sarah Cecil
named Board Chair. She has been a high level professional financial advisor in the Seattle area for many years. Katrina MacIver, MRes. named as Board Vice Chair. Katrina is an internationally educated and trained marine biologist and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our corporation. Gordon Modin named Board Treasurer. He is a highly skilled video professional and will be a great asset moving forward. Finally, Mary Gallagher, MIT Master in Teaching appointed to Board Secretary. Her skills and training with Seattle Schools will prove to be an highly successful addition. Drew Collins also named Executive Director of the non-profit. We are looking forward to an incredibly successful 2022. We were at the cusp of launching some truly amazing and important research projects, before both Covid and our local weather damped many of our activities. Fortunately, the weather will certainly improve, and we are hoping the pandemic will also greatly improve. If you want to get involved with Made In Puget Sound there are a few ways. First, contribute with a tax deductible contribution. You can purchase copies of our book: Puget Sound Underwater, or our artwork. Go to the Contributions page for more information. Second, you can volunteer to help with our field work. For students this can be exciting experiences. Thank you for being involved with our vital, cutting-edge environmental conservation work. Our nonprofit organization has redesigned our website and focus for 2022. Recently we have been conducting more research below the surface of our cold and green Puget Sound waters. We have brought in more specialists, researchers, students and volunteers to help with our new and exciting projects and programs. In the coming months many of the changes will be realized and our research will be released.
If you would like to get involved with our organization, make a contribution, volunteer. Add your voice to our important cause. |