20051203_South-Shetlands_0018

62˚ 56˚S 60˚ 407˚ W. The South Shetland Islands are a group of Antarctic islands, lying about 120 kilometres north of the Antarctic Peninsula. The South Shetlands consist of 11 major islands and several minor ones, totalling 3687 square kilometres of land area. Between 80 and 90 percent of the land area is permanently glaciated. This image was shot at the Aitcho Islands. The Aitcho Islands (‘Aitcho’ standing for ‘H.O.’ i.e. ‘Hydrographic Office’) are a group of minor islands in the north entrance to English Strait separating Greenwich Island and Robert Island in the South Shetland Islands. I will never forget this moment. This was on my first trip to Antarctica and this was our very first landing. I looked out into the harbor and drifting towards us was this magnificent blue iceberg. We headed off in a Zodiac to get a better look and when we got there we noticed the penguins walking across the top.