In Pictures: Ice and life in Antarctica

Antarctica's icy landscape teems with life as seals, penguins and whales dot the land.

Updated

Published

January 12, 2020 at 5:00 AM

This dramatic shot of a sculptural iceberg – with most of its mass hidden underwater – is the only successful one out of 900 taken in the difficult conditions of Antarctica. The expedition ship Ocean Atlantic can be seen in the background. ST PHOTO: ASHLEIGH SIM

Pockmarks on an iceberg off Half Moon Island. ST PHOTO: ASHLEIGH SIM

A Weddell seal rests on the snow on the Antarctic continent. The Weddell seal weighs ups to 600kg and can live for 30 years. ST PHOTO: ASHLEIGH SIM

A curious gentoo penguin walking up close to inspect the clicking sounds of the camera. Guidelines by the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators stipulate that visitors maintain a minimum distance of 5m from wildlife. ST PHOTO: ASHLEIGH SIM

A humpback whale at Cuverville Island opening its mouth to feed on krill, with its baleen clearly visible. ST PHOTO: ASHLEIGH SIM

Dramatic sunsets unfolds every evening along the Gerlache Strait. Tourists brave the cold to camp out on the deck to take in every moment of this breathtaking wonder. ST PHOTO: ASHLEIGH SIM

Several colonies of gentoo penguins nest at Neko Harbour, Andvord Bay. It is also home to Weddell and fur seals. ST PHOTO: ASHLEIGH SIM

The Argentinian Brown Station at Paradise Bay was first built in 1951 as a scientific research station. There are as many as 70 research stations belonging to different countries dotting the Antarctic peninsula. ST PHOTO: ASHLEIGH SIM

A gentoo penguin porpoising in the waters at Port Lockroy hunting for fish and krill. ST PHOTO: ASHLEIGH SIM

A museum inside the British research station of Port Lockroy displays the kitchen decked in 1960s style. It was used by staff when it was still a research station. ST PHOTO: ASHLEIGH SIM

A striking wintry sunset seen at 11pm at Gerlache Strait due to the midnight sun. The beautiful 200km long straits are where most of the sightseeing spots are located. ST PHOTO: ASHLEIGH SIM

Port Lockroy Station A on Goudier Island, built in 1944 by the British, is now a post office and museum. Tourists send out an average of 60,000 postcards from here every summer. ST PHOTO: ASHLEIGH SIM

Several colonies of gentoo penguins nest at Neko Harbour, Andvord Bay. It is also home to Weddell and fur seals. ST PHOTO: ASHLEIGH SIM

The Lemaire Channel is one of the most dramatic seascapes along the Antarctic Peninsula, with sheer rock faces towering above the water line in a narrow bay. ST PHOTO: ASHLEIGH SIM

A seal resting on high ground opposite a glacier next to Neko Harbour. The glacier frequently calves large chunks of ice that crash into the sea, creating ‘tsunamis’ that can reach the Neko Harbour landing beach in less than a minute. ST PHOTO: ASHLEIGH SIM

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