Catt-Trax 2 - Antarctica - Comments

Hello and Thanks

Danny Catt — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 14:38:16 -0700

Hi,

Thanks for your note and message. I am now back on the South American continent but I certainly thoroughly enjoyed Antarctica and was amazed by the landscape and wildlife that I was able to see. Antarctica is not a typical holiday destination but if you are interested in learning and enjoy expedition type travel then you would likely enjoy it very much.

Cheers

Danny

Hey danny!I was wondering if

Anonymous — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 09:07:06 -0700

Hey danny!I was wondering if you are having fun in the Antarctic?I think it would be exciting to go there.I like traveling and I have gone to quite a few places but I've never been to the Antarctic!I'd like to though.

Thanks Tess!

Danny Catt — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 14:14:15 -0700

Many thanks for taking the time to say hello via a post on the blog! I appreciate it! Hope you are well!

Danny

Gracias T Alba

Danny Catt — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 14:13:01 -0700

Thanks for your comment Tyto alba!

Cheers

Danny

Gracias Coasties!

Danny Catt — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 14:11:48 -0700

Hello and thanks for your comments, kind words and question!

The categories ´resident, transient and offshore´are used to describe different ´sub-populations´of Orca in the North Pacific Ocean. I don´t know if the Orca in Antarctica have been given unique names (like transient) but biologists do know that Orca in Antarctica feed on a variety of things including marine mammals, penguins as well as Patagonian Toothfish (they eat fish, birds and mammals). So... in answer to your question, yes, penquins should be afraid, as should the seals and fish!

I hope all is going well in the Coast program so far this term!

Cheers

Danny!

Wow! I had no idea.Hi

Tess — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 21:16:24 -0700

Wow! I had no idea.

Hi Danny. Long time out of the classroom for me and you are still teaching me the good stuff.

Later,

Tess

As Pikake I think the

tyta alba — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 18:40:01 -0700

As Pikake I think the picture of Lemaire Channel is amazing !!!!!Nothing todo with our sunrises

T Alba :)

An Antarctic Symphony

K. Bogen — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 13:08:11 -0700

Dear Mr. Catt

Thank you so much for answering our many questions and for making us feel welcome. You are a gracious host. The truth is we have to contain the enthusiasm and the questions from the Coast kids! :) We are astounded at the beauty of Antartica and of your photography! WOW!

Your text, especially about Antarctic ice, was very cool! :)

We have seen Resident Killer Whales (salmon eaters) on the coast of British Columbia. Would the Killer Whale in your photo be a Transient (mammal eating) Killer Whale? Should penguins be afraid?

"If Antarctica were music it would be Mozart." - Andrew Denton

Mr. Catt, you have helped us to hear the symphony! :)

The coasties

Morning Light in Antarctica

Danny Catt — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 10:35:25 -0700

Hola! The light that morning was amazing. Thanks for the kind note!

D :)

Wow

Pikake — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 10:14:59 -0700

The photo of the Lamaire Channel is one of my favourites! What wonderful lighting. Awesome....

Questions are Good!

Danny Catt — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 08:25:59 -0700

Hola Coasties,

And thanks so much for your note and list of questions. I am about to add a post which might answer some of your questions... perhaps not all but some.

In terms of you penguin question, I was able to see three species: the Chinstrap, Gentoo and Adelie. I was only able to see the Chinstraps from the ship (there is one photo on the blog of Chinstrap Penguins) but I did get to see the Adelie and Gentoos at their breeding colonies. The length of time they stay on shore, varies by species, as does the distance they will travel. Young Chinstraps and Adelies typically leave the colony at about 7 weeks of age... while the Gentoos spend about twice that length, 14 weeks, before heading out to sea. So... during my visit it was the end of the breeding season and by now, most, if not all of the Gentoos will be out at sea.

I don't have many scarey stories, as I felt safe throughout my journey. It was a fabulous opportunity to see the wildlife and landscapes of one of the most pristine landscapes on the planet.

Please have a read of my new posts (coming up soon) and if there are more questions I have answered please let me know.

I am off to the Ecuadorian Amazon and then the Galapagos so I will not have consistent internet access for the next 2 weeks or so.

I will get as much up on the site today as I can!

Cheerios,

Danny

Critters and climate change

COAST Class — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 14:57:02 -0700

Hello again Mr. Catt:

What fabulous pictures and tales of Antarctica. We have some questions...:)

We were surprised to hear the air temperature was warmer than we thought it would be at this time (around freezing).

We would like to know about the melting and forming of icebergs around this time of year. Can you tell us some more about penguin migration and raising of the chicks at this time of the year. How cold do you think the water was? What was the scariest thing that you experienced on the Antarctic adventure? Also, please let us know some of the effects of global warming on Antarctica. We would also be keen to know what other types of marine life you saw. How far away will a penguin venture from the shore? Sorry for all the questions...we know you are very busy...but we are enjoying the adventure and learning with you!

A million thank you's from all the COASTIES! :)

Hey Danny,I had no idea that

Tess — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 21:00:33 -0700

Hey Danny,

I had no idea that the ice bergs could be so vivid in colour. Thanks for the update. Too bad about the rough seas. I suppose nature always puts its agenda first. Great photos, thank you.

Tess

Raging Seas & 57 Countries

Danny Catt — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 13:54:31 -0700

Hi Terry!

Thanks for your note and for the formatting help! And wow... 57 countries is fabulous! Thanks for letting me know where things are at. I will add more posts with photos this eve and we will see if we can draw in some visitors from a few more countries! I too look forward to the event on the 28th. I think I will to invite some folks from different parts of South America to participate. Hopefully they will be able to.

I would agree with you that if you decide you want to try either Cape Horn or the Drake, do it in a larger vessel. I too enjoy time on sailboats... but you will not likely see me in a sailboat going around Cape Horn!! :) Say hola to the folks at BCIT for me, and thanks again!

Cheers, Danny

Raging Sea

Pikake — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 13:09:01 -0700

Hi Danny!

Glad to see you are posting today! Since I am a sailer, and hope to be an offshore cruiser in a couple of years, I have heard many stories of people circumnavigating in the Southern oceans. I have heard harrowing stories. So I intend to head out the Georgia Strait and turn left, stop at the Panama and head towards to Caribbean. If I EVER see those seas, it will be in a larger vessel, not a sail boat!

BTW: we found out that there have been 1884 visitors from 57 countries this month on Catt-Trax 2. For some reason, it hasn't been showing as such, but Stephanie is on it.

I look forward to the 28th event at BCIT!