One of the scientific objectives of the cruise is to conduct several 24-hour "Process Stations" where selected biological processes are investigated in greater detail. The seabird researchers jumped ship for the day, just South of Renaud Island, taking a Zodiac boat to a series of islands called the Armstrong Reef. There were around 10,000 Adelies in the area, along with several breeding giant petrels, south polars skuas and kelp gulls. Top left: Birder Brett Pickering leaps over the gunwale into the Mark V Zodiac.
Photos and text by Hugh Ducklow and Heidi Geisz
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