In the morning, we cruised around the Orne Islands in our expedition boats, navigating among icebergs and channels. The waters were alive with wildlife: whales surfaced nearby, Weddell seals were observed resting on land, and colonies of chinstrap and gentoo penguins dotted the shoreline. A leopard seal resting on an ice floe was a particular highlight, offering a rare and impressive sight. The combination of active marine life and dramatic Antarctic scenery made for an exhilarating start to the day.