27 Jan 2024

A day of discovery and adventure on Franklin Island

After a stunning day in the lower Ross Sea, where the true expanse and magnificence of Antarctica revealed itself, it was time to head north. Our Captain set a course and Expedition Leader Nathan Russ briefed us that, should conditions allow, an early morning landing would be made on Franklin Island. We were now well used to anything but a 9 to 5 schedule!

The bing-bong announcement came at 0500 that we would land on Franklin Island situated 76 degrees, 10 minutes South by 168 degrees 12 minutes East. Today was the day James Clark Ross discovered the island during his 1841 expedition. Ross named the island in honour of Sir John Franklin (of Arctic fame) and, situated some 75 nautical miles off the coast, it is seldom visited. Our Penguin researcher, Steve Emslie, was thrilled as it allowed him to collect bone samples from the island's 4-5,000 year-old Adélie Penguin colony. Along with a couple of guest volunteers, Steve, and his assistant Kate, landed on the beach and started their work. For the rest of us, it was an 800-metre snow walk along the edge of this amazing 41,000 breeding pair colony.

In contrast to yesterday's blue sky, today's wispy clouds made for chilly temperatures. The reward for enduring the early morning cold was the opportunity to quietly watch the antics of the Adélie Penguins, the fluffy chicks chasing their parents in search of food, adult penguins transporting pebbles from one spot to another, and the hopeful Skuas circling overhead. Of particular interest were the pebble mounts that dotted the beach. The mounds have been built up over the years by the accumulation of penguin pebble nests, guano and layer upon layer of dirt and sediment.

It was then time to Zodiac cruise back to the comforts of Heritage Adventurer for warm drinks and breakfast. Landing on a seldom visited Franklin Island was exciting, and to do so on the anniversary of its discovery made for an extra special day.

Images © F. Wardle, Heritage Expeditions