Penguins on an iceberg in the South Orkney Islands

“Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale, a tale of a fateful trip.
That started from Ushuaia, Argentina aboard the Ocean Nova, a tiny ship.
Alek was a mighty camera man as he took 10,000 pictures for sure.
66 passengers set sail seven months ago for a 19-day tour. A 19-day tour.”

Alek Komarnitsky’s  wife Wendy works at Natural Habitat Adventures (they run incredible nature trips like this worldwide) and she went to Antarctica in 1997 – yes, she has a cool job. Due to a very fortunate set of circumstances (and her encouragement and willingness to watch their kids!), Alek was able to do a Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and Antarctica cruise in early 2009.

He departed from Ushuaia, Argentina on Jan 23rd aboard the Ocean Nova and returned on Feb 10th for an experience of a lifetime. The amazing wildlife and spectacular scenery provided a “target rich environment” that is a photographer’s ultimate fantasy - he took almost 10,000 pictures! The pictures on this page are just a sample of the amazing photos Alek took on his great adventure so be sure to check out the rest of the photos.

A typical Zodiac landing on South George

Terra Del Fuego Park

Giant Antarctica Petrel

Zodiac shuttling passengers from the Ocean Nova

Rockhopper Penguin and Albratross Rookery

Black-browed Albatross

Gentoo Penguins on Carcass Island – Falklands

Southern Right in Western Scotia Sea

Diversity of wildlife around Elsehul Harbor, South Georgia

Fortuna Bay Fur Seal

Saint Andrews, South Georgia

Grytviken, South Georgia – a former whaling station

Active glacier

Iceberg with the South Georgia mountains in the background

Gentoo Penguin

Antarctica landing at Brown’s Bluff

Bonding between parent and chick

“Polar Plunge” in sub-zero water

Antarctic wildlife

On Feb 17th, the Ocean Nova ran aground in Marguerite Bay near the Argentine research station San Martin

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