Our morning started out with a bit of fog, but it soon turned into a glorious day as we went ashore on the Antarctic continent. Later in the day we stopped at Paulet Island with thousands and thousands of penguins. This was also an opportunity to deploy our ROV for a view of the underwater habitat. Dr. Kathryn Sullivan, space shuttle astronaut and oceanographer, aided us in this.

After a few ROV dives in more shallow waters we ventured to deeper waters to explore the bottom at 350 feet. The bottom was full of life and color with sponges and tunicates being the most abundant. Of particular interest was the fern-like crinoid, one of the most ancient and perhaps the most primitive of the echinoderms (sea stars, sea cucumbers, urchins, sand dollars and more.) Crinoids are suspension feeders and the bottom is the perfect locale to collect the detritus that filters down from above.

Also of keen interest was the large isopod, Glyptonotus antarcticus, or giant Antarctica isopod (insert). This isopod can get to 10 inches in length and weigh nearly a quarter pound. It is omnivorous and will eat just about anything including gastropods, sea stars, urchins, krill and more. It fills the niche that crabs do in more temperate waters.

It was indeed a thrilling day, both above and below the waters and after dinner we marveled at the numerous icebergs that awaited us. Not much in the way of sleep tonight, but then again we can catch up when we go home.