13 Comments
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Wyrd Smythe's avatar

Fun adventure, well told! I was reminded of that documentary, March of Penguins, that was popular a while back. The documentary was, among other things, beautiful: good music and narration. But the "Making of" feature that came with the DVD showed the reality of the noise and poo. I think the noise impressed me the most!

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Bill Southern's avatar

Cool adventure - guano and all!

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Daniel Catena's avatar

This sounds like an amazing trip. I think I'd prefer to look from afar if the poo smell was that strong. I learned a lot about penguins and Antarctica here. Thanks Lois!

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Lois Thomson Bowersock's avatar

The penguins were such a sight! I will never look at the tuxedo-clad birds the same way again. I think Paulet Island was more the exception than the rule for eaux-de-penguin because it was a breeding ground.

I didn’t go into a lot of detail about the penguin poo, but it has been used for a lot of research on Antarctica's climate, ecosystems, and weather changes. They have a 2900-year-old record of it right there on my Penguin Poo Island! One scientist even won a Nobel Prize for the research he did on the guano from Penguin Poo Island.

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Bev Potter's avatar

I don't think I could handle the smell. Or the cold. Or not being on my couch watching all of this on Nature.

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Lois Thomson Bowersock's avatar

All those nature shows don’t mention the smell. Oh the SMELL!! I will never look at a penguin the same way again.

They were sure cute though…

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Jean-Baptiste Guillory's avatar

Amazing.......Just to sit in the stillness of it all. You are fortunate to see something like that.

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Lois Thomson Bowersock's avatar

It was an amazing experience. Thank you for reading Expect the Unexpected.

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Jean-Baptiste Guillory's avatar

Keep us updated with a few pictures or video. Be grateful. Regards.

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Ed Paulson PhD - The BizDoctor's avatar

So glad the boots worked out and happy you didn't lose your footing and slip! Great story. I guess if the folks driving the boat were wearing the same boots as you then it must be OK. Penguin Poo Island! Funny! I will look for the changes on the World Atlas!

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EpicGonzo's avatar

Thanks for sharing your adventures on Penguin Poo Island!

Cheers

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May 17, 2024
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Lois Thomson Bowersock's avatar

The turtle-technique is a trick I learned growing up in Canada.

I still would not recommend two pairs of socks and gumboots for footwear in cold weather. However, windchill aside, the temperature was hovering right above freezing, so the gumboot combo was sufficient. We had to walk through a tub of liquid disinfectant before we boarded the ship, and then we had to remove our gumboots immediately.

It was an experience!

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May 17, 2024
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Lois Thomson Bowersock's avatar

Well, there are other ways… but I like to keep my substack “G” rated.

Don’t ask me for my REAL description… I won’t publish it. :)

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