I just dragged my laptop into the den to show Tom the photos (I haven't given up on getting there someday). He was amazed - so maybe there is hope!

Margo

Margo: I dragged Tony to my computer - always hope but not looking good here - :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

All I can say is Oh WOW!!!!! Like Andi, I hope Ngaire needs another Antarica fix in 2009.

I can't even decide which picture I like best, they are all amazing!!

Donna, I am hoping she needs another fix in 2008 for ICE! Hearing that would really make my day!

Ngaire, if you are reading this, don't limit Ken to numbers of photos posted! We want to see all the best when he puts them somewhere!

Olivia, maybe she will need her Antarctica refresher in 2008 and 2009 :app: .

Love all the photos. Can't pick a favorite. :)

Masaki

Ngaire and Ken, these photos brought tears to my eyes. But then, we all know that Ken is a GENIUS at photography. There just aren't words - absolutely INCREDIBLE! Like everyone else, I cannot wait to see the rest!

Actually I'm looking towards 2011 when my baby goes off to college. These are fantastic Ken. I can't wait to see the rest.

Ken has an amazing eye. His pictures are always breathtaking! I especially love the blondies!

Brad and I are now cooling our heels in Dallas, waiting for our flight to Albuquerque in about 1 1/2 hours. No doubt Ngaire is heading in to the office. Long journey home.

Brad's been bugging me to announce the pooch championship scores, not that any of you dear readers have been waiting with baited breath:

1st INVITATIONAL POOP POOCH SCORES

Average points per game:
1st place - Brad

Most addicted - Ngaire! :ohmy:


Dick & Sharon, non LCTrs, playing many games also, but we are not listing their scores at this time. See Ken for full statistics....

Leslie...you'll have to tell us about Pooch. Our curiosity has been raised by the obvious addiction this game produces. :)

PS: I hope you enjoy reading this thread - we spent many hours enjoying your posts along with those from your traveling companions.

I think this was some of the best sea mail we've had and there has been a lot of great sea mail!

Thanks again for sharing your cruise with us!

Margo

Welcome Home, Poopers and Turdley too!

What an extraordinary trip. It's certainly on my list. Maybe I will get Frank to put it on his too - when Tom does (he hates cold).

I echo Margo's comment.The sea mail has been most captivating - ja!

Kathy...Tom hates the cold as well - he was born in upstate NY and says he'll be happy if he never sees another snowflake! I guess I can understand that, but penguins are another matter!

We may have to post some German greetings to welcome home our friends - just to get them through cruise withdrawl! Welcommen!

Incredible photos by Ken!!

What a spectacular trip; thanks so much for sharing it with us.

Wow! Great photos, thanks for posting them.

Dena

How beautiful...I LOVE the one of Ngaire sitting amongst the King penguins...I would be in heaven there as I love penguins!!!! :)

I have enjoyed reading all the wonderful reports! The photos are amazing, with all those lovely creatures. I can't wait to go on ICE next February!

Cheers, Pam

Amazing pictures, Ken. You have quite an eye. It has been great fun sharing this experience through all the seamail and pictures.

These were Antarctic fur seal pups, and the blonde one is the same, the only difference is the actual pigment of the fur is blonde, but this is probably the same as a golden morph, just a different term for the same thing. The skin of the seal is dark like the normal fur seal. Our naturalist told us that they do not live long usually because in the water they are seen very easily by preditors, which are leopard seals and Orcas.

We thought about you and Don many times on our cruise wishing you were here. I do believe Antarctic is like Africa, every time is different and just as spectacular. So when you go next year you will have a fantastic adventure as we did and the company of many other LCT'ers. And on top of all that an open bar, life is good.

Ken

Ken,

What lens did you use for your shots? 100-400?
Are you using a 30D now?

I used the 100-400 a lot. It is one of the best zoom lens that Canon makes. My closeup shots of Penguins were with this lens. The naturalists on our cruise that used Canon cameras were also using the 100-400.

If you just stay in one spot the opportunites for great shots of penguins will be all around you and that is when you put this lens to work.

I am still using the Rebel XT, but the 30D could be in my future.

Ken

Thanks, Ken - that's what I thought. That lens is on my radar - maybe before the Canon rebates expire next week.

Ken...I just viewed your ofoto pics...outstanding!

So many of them are breathtaking. But I sense that Turdley's family reunion didn't go as planned!

Margo

the attack of the leopard seal!

this photo was taken by a passenger, but the ship's photographer negotiated with her to make it available on his CD:




the following were taken by the ship's photographer:


and David Fletcher,expedition leader


and here's Shack!

WOW Leslie, that's some picture!

To view Ken's picture (Olivia I did not delete as you instructed)

www.kodakgallery.com

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WOW! Wowie! Wowzer!

Fabulous photos everyone!

I, for one, am ready for Pooch on TAP (sounds like some sort of canine draft beverage)!

Fantastic photos, Ken. Did Turdley make it home or did you leave him with his relatives?

Ken, thank you for your heartfelt comments. It means so much to Don and me. We were following the ship every day & spent many hours discussing each day's activities.

Having just looked at your photos, we are so overwhelmed with the natural beauty of nature at its very best and through your eyes. The photos of the masses of Kings look like Hollywood digital creations, but, OH so much better! Your photos truly are breathtaking. They are a dream come true for me!

And, you put it so well, "I do believe Antarctica is like Africa, every time is different and just as spectacular." ......THANK YOU!! - Michael & Don

Ngaire, thank you, I just went through all of them. Best photos I have ever seen! Ken is just the best! Have no idea how he keeps raising the bar! What a team you are!

Actually Turdley is planning on going on ICE.

He just really wants to go back so Peggy has agreed that he can join the group on the Explorer ll for 2008. He is going to stay with me for a while and then we will get a cabin for him and have him travel down on the same schedule as one of the LCTers. He does not want to travel alone he is just a little guy.

He played pooch a few times and always seemed to get an ace. A picture was taken by Peggy I believe I am sure it will be posted all in good time.

Suzanne, I am sure you will be the POOCH champion on TAP, as you have that uncanny ability to hoot with the owls at night, and soar with the eagles in the morning!

Ohh,

I'm happy to share a cabin with Turdley on ICE! That means I won't have a pay a single supplement, right Ngaire? ;)

Olivia, I sense 'keene' competition from Ngaire in the TAP Pooch tournaments.

Turdley and the penquin....priceless!

Awesome...awesome :app:

Magnificent photos!! Thank you!!

Ngaire and Ken, Clyde and I were simply blown away by the beautiful photos taken in Antartica. You really got to get "down and dirty" with those Kings, Ngaire! It was wonderful to take your journey vicariously knowing we could never negotiate those zodiaks at our age. We did consider it for maybe one afternoon and then came to our senses and seeing your photos confirmed that it would have been pretty strenuous going for us. But, thanks so much for letting us enjoy your trip through photos and seamails.

Those are the most magnificent photos I have ever seen! I had no one favorite because they were all spectacular (however the Turdley series was very cute)!

To all those who kept us entertained with Sea Mail and now the pics - THANKS A MILLION!!!! :) :app: :lct: :nw:

Hmmmmmmmmmm, the photos leave me a bit speechless and breathless. At times I felt I was experiencing the adventure in person. Quite surreal.

A "Hall of Fame" cruise for sure.

Cheers! Ray

Those photos take my breath away!! AMAZING!!!!

LOVE the Turdley pics!!! :D