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Antarctic

The Weddell seals are among the most common of seals in Antarctica. They are usually found in larger groups on fast pack ice, attached to the continent. They feed mainly at night.

They dive to impressive depths in pursuit of fish, squid and krill.

Pups at birth can weigh up to 60. By the end of teh nursing period, usually 6 to 8 weeks, they have gained as much as 200 pounds. Once weaned the pups have learned to swim, hunt, and haul themselves out of the water and are ready to head out on their own.

Humpback Fluked Tail

Humpbacks rather than having teeth, they have 270 to 400 fringed overlapping plates hanging down from each side of the upper jaw. These plaets are made of Keratin, the same thing human hair and nails are made of.

Humpback whale adults range in length from 12–16 m, 39–52 ft, and weigh about 36,000 kg, 79,000 lb. The humpback has a distinctive body shape, with long pectoral fins and a knobbly head.

Humpbacks are known for breaching and other distinctive surface behaviors. Humpback whales typically migrate up to 25,000 km ,16,000 miles, each year. As you can see in the photo the Humpback feed in a variety of different ways, depending on the prey. You can see the whales trap shoals of fish against the water surface where they can be easily consumed. Their foods include fish and squid, as well as Krill and other small crustaceans.

Newborn calves are roughly the length of their mother's head. At birth, calves measure 6 m, 20 ft, and weigh two tons. They nurse for about six months, then mix nursing and independent feeding for possibly six months more. They mate during winter migration to warmer waters and 11 to 12 months later the mother gives birth to a single calf.

Humpbacks are social whales often traveling or hunting in pods of 200 or more.

Humpback whales are know for their haunting songs. It is a complex sequence of moans, howl, and cries that often continue for hours and heard for 20 miles under water. Only male whales sing. It is thought they are trying to attract females during mating season.

To eat prey, they take large gulps of water. Below the mouth are 12 to 36 throat grooves that expand to hold water. The baleen, 270 to 400 fringed overlapping plates in the mouth rather than teeth, filter the water and the 2 blowholes on the whales back expel the water. The fish and other goodies remain in the whale for digestion

Where ever we sail the views are majestic and magnificent. Enjoy the following photos.

View out the stateroom windows early in the morning.

Reflections in the water

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