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Seeing Antarctica for the first time

Posted: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 11:11 AM
Filed Under:

By Kevin Burke, NBC News Cameraman

The beauty, grandeur, complexity and savagery of Antarctica are almost impossible to convey in words and pictures.

It’s hard to explain the awe-inspiring sight of a 20-ton humpback whale launching himself completely out of the water and disappearing out of sight again. Or to convey the feeling of being in the silent and surreal presence of icebergs that have been wandering aimlessly for centuries in Antarctic currents.

NBC News/ Kevin Burke
Neko Harbor in the Antarctic Peninsula.

Same goes for the sight of 100,000 King penguins and their chicks congregating on a beach the size of two football fields. Or trying to verbalize what it’s like seeing looming glaciers teetering precariously on the edge of collapse and destruction. Or the sight of a hungry leopard seal taunting a raft full of tourists.

NBC News/ Kevin Burke
Gentoo Penguin in the Antarctic Peninsula.

I have traveled to the Antarctic Peninsula in pursuit of a life-long goal to see as much of the planet as time allows, and to explore a place that few people ever get to experience.

NBC News/ Kevin Burke
Ice Arch in the Gerlache Strait that runs through the Antarctic Peninsula.

My impressions of this vast frontier at the bottom of the earth are still fresh and forming. At this point the only thing I’m certain of is that this will not be my last visit to the seventh continent.

Kevin Burke is an NBC News cameraman, most recently on assignment in Iraq.

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Comments

Stunning. My dream come true through you. No doubt always to remain a dream but good enough with postings such as yours.

Anne Jeffries Turlock, CA (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 12:14 PM)

What a nice change of scenery from Iraq. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Kathy in Oregon (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 2:12 PM)

What an eye! The ice arch picture...breathtaking. Sounds like the trip of a lifetime.

Debra in Pennsylvania (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 4:29 PM)

Kevin, Those pictures are wonderful and must have been a thrill to see. The penguin scene you described reminds me of the film "March of the Penguins". I just love the baby chick penguins myself. I hope you have the chance to travel there many times. Thank you for sharing this with us.

Lisa McNeil, Alpharetta, Georgia (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 5:34 PM)

Wonderful photos and story! I'll bet the night sky is just to die for as well! I often wonder about how the Ozone hole effects the penguins... Must bother their eyes??

Chris Eldridge, Harrisburg PA (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 8:30 PM)

Kevin, Majestic comes to mind when I view these photos. As you said it is a place that few people get to experience so I'd thank you for sharing your stunning photos. These photos also remind me to be diligent in addressing issues of Global Warming. It would be deplorable to see it this spectacular example of natures beauty that you have captured in your photos disappear.

Kim Berkeihiser, Douglassville, PA (Sent Thursday, February 22, 2007 9:33 AM)

Dear Kevin Thanks for sharing the wonderful photos.When I saw the Ice Arch picture... the first question comes to my mind is; Is it God's creation? What a beautiful world

Syed, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Sent Sunday, February 25, 2007 9:29 AM)

Do you need an assistant? Thanks for sharing. Antarctica is on my list of places to go. You've made me move it up a few slots on my list!

Michelle, Austin, Texas (Sent Monday, February 26, 2007 4:49 PM)

Kevin, great captions and photos! Absolutely gorgeous. Are your travels to Antarctica arranged MBC to travel with scientists or do you simply travel through alternative methods? Any advice that you could provide would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Rob Holder, Phoenix, AZ (Sent Wednesday, May 30, 2007 3:06 AM)

Kevin,I spent 5 celetrial summers flying for the National Science Foundation in support of science research and I know first hand of the beauty that you saw while there.  I am glad that someone else can enjoy the beauty of the Antarctic continent.

Frankie Williams, Visalia, CA (Sent Monday, July 09, 2007 2:48 PM)

This is a beautiful sight to behold. I wonder if we could see a slideshow of more pictures from your trip?

Kingpen, California (Sent Wednesday, July 11, 2007 1:15 AM)

What a vain waste of money. Do you know how many people you can help with the money you threw away just to see something? You are going to die anyways - why not spend your money helping people who can't find a bite of food to eat in your own hometown?

Bill, Bowling Green (Sent Thursday, July 12, 2007 4:43 PM)

Awesome pictures...truly breathtaking.

Bill from Bowling Green, NBC probably paid for the trip, and for all you know Kevin may donate all his money to charity so don't jump to conclusions!

John (Sent Saturday, September 01, 2007 12:37 PM)

Bill, so all of us should just forgo all of our trips and all of our pleasures in this world? Get a grip. These photos are beautiful and I appreciate the freedom we have to do such things. And many of us give plenty of money to charity and still go on trips.

Connie Illinois (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 7:16 AM)



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