Viking Cruises

Journey into the dramatic landscapes of the seventh continent with Alastair Miller and his camera WILDLIFE The unique wildlife can be one of the main reasons for visiting the Antarctic. For me, the oppor tunity to capture images began on the crossing of the Drake, with possibly my favourite bird, the Albatross. It's mesmerising to spend time watching these masters of ef for tless flight as they ride the wind in long arcs behind the ship, their wings locked just inches above the wave tops. Then there's Gentoo penguins, as comical and ungainly on land as they are sleek and streamlined under water. These creatures are a delight with an enchanting curiosity and no fear of humans. Up by the water's edge you may see groups of fat, sleepy Southern Elephant seals, sprawled out like tired Sumo wrestlers, rising occasionally to angrily bark and bellow at each other. Whales (probably Humpbacks) will be readily seen, and heard – I'll never forget the uncanny sound of water, blasted out of their blowholes, breaking through the silence. LIGHT Light in Antarctica has a quality I have never experienced before. The air, free from pollution and combined with the reflective white landscapes, meant that on cloudy days our world was transformed into a rich shadowless palette of luminous greys. The sky welded to the horizon where the ship appeared strangely suspended, floating somewhere between heaven and ear th. And when the clouds par ted and the sun shone, our eyes would burn with the brightness of it all, the deep blue shadows once again giving shape to our surroundings. 18 | Antarctica Destination Guide rough the lens with ALASTAIR MILLER

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