Emperor Penguins
BASE CAMP
Union Glacier Camp
We flew directly to Antarctica Unknown Airport, which is nothing but endless sea ice, from Punta Arenas in Chile. All expeditions started from Union Glacier base camp.
This base camp was well equipped and organized. It was operated by Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions (ALE). They offer air transportation, logistic support, and guided experiences for those venturing to the interior of Antarctica.
Dining and Library Tents
In these public tents, I met several unbelievable Everest Summit climbers and extreme adventurers who held world records of solo expeditions to the South Pole, North Pole, cross-Atlantic-Ocean kayaking, world sailing, Amazon River drafting...and more.
I asked them how they did it, the common response from them was mental toughness. Listening to their stories was truly a reverent moment. It made me love Antarctica even more than before!
Trek to The Emperors Colony
As soon as the weather was good, we left the base camp and flew to the Gould Bay Emperor Penguin Colony on the remote coast of the Weddell Sea. Our campsite was on the same sea ice where thousands of emperor penguins come to raise and feed their young.
We trekked 2-3 miles one way with a sled to photograph majestic emperors and their chicks every day, from midnight to early morning.
Walking on this infinite white expanse, I was overwhelmingly thrilled!
Sunset Twilight
I followed this parent and chick for a while on my third day of photo shooting, and finally got this perfect shot.
The silver linings around their silhouettes with the twilight of sunset backdrop makes them look so stately on this infinite ice land. I was deeply moved... How do I precisely convey this unspeakable beauty in my art, I wondered...
It definitely inspired me to paint emperor penguins and their home-Antarctica, the most extreme combination on this planet!
Curious Creatures
On my third Antactica expedition, I trekked three miles with a sled to photograph emperor penguins from midnight to early morning next day and then trekked another three miles back to the tent.
Curious emperor penguins would make a circle around me when I stayed still at any one spot, and when I was leaving their colony they would follow me, either walking alongside me or gliding on the ice until I arrived back to the campsite.
These wonderful creatures are not intimidated by human beings at all. I was able to see all the incredible detail of their body close up, as they approached to within only a few inches away from me.
Reflective Eyeball
The eyeball of the Emperor penguin is one of their most incredible features.
They are born with these natural sunglasses. I could clearly see myself reflected on their eyeballs when I was up close to them.
These eyes are made to withstand the extreme pressure of the sea water when they dive as deep as 1800 ft to search for food!
Emperor penguins are the deepest divers on the planet.
Sleeping Tent
Sleeping in a mountaineering tent in Antarctica sounds insanely challenging to most people.
Actually, the tent stays nice and warm with a polar-rated sleeping bag and insulated sleeping mat, after being heated by the 24-hour sunlight.
There can be as much as a 60 degree difference in temperature between the inside and the outside of the tent.
I fell asleep to a chorus of trumpeting calls and awakened the next day to find curious penguins outside my tent.
A Sweet Visitor
What can be more unbelievable than to wake up to this sight!
This emperor penguin waddled all the way from their colony to visit my tent.
Was he checking to see if I had packed enough warm clothes, hot food, cameras, waste bottles?
Gathering
Only 10%–20% of chicks survive their first year in this harsh Antarctic environment.
They either die from extreme weather or lack of food, because their parents are caught by predators while hunting in the sea.
They gather together in a creche when their parents are out hunting for food.
Indeed, they are the cutest chicks among all the penguin species.
Dining & Toilet Tents
In addition to sleeping tents, there are two other tents that take care of our basic needs.
You can clean yourself by using baby wipes or taking a snow shower...if you are brave enough!
When the expedition season ends, the entire facility will be completely dismantled, leaving one long pole standing up.
When they return the following year, they will locate this site again by looking for this long pole sticking out of the massive ice field, and then digging everything out of the snow before the next season starts.
Dining Tent
This Emperor penguin campsite can only host a group of 8-10 guests. This dining tent was cozy and full of exciting stories...and the food was top notch!
Extreme Chef
The hot lentil soup that this camp chef prepared for our photo shooting expedition was the best lentil soup I have ever had!
It brought me so much comfort when I was shivering in the cold. This chef and many other staff with ALE specialized and enjoyed working in extreme environments. His 5-star food was one of the ultimate treats on this memorable trip.