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[[File:Snow Petrel-1.jpg|thumb|300px|left]]
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The '''[[snow petrel]]''' is one of only three birds that breed exclusively in [[Antarctica]] and has been seen at the geographic [[South Pole]]. It has the most southerly breeding distribution of any bird.
'''[[Quin Blackburn]]''' was a geologist on the First and Second Byrd Expeditions and leader of the geologic party that explored the [[Transantarctic Mountains]]. Blackburn served as a geologist and seaman—before—the mast on the [[Richard E. Byrd|First Byrd Expedition]] (1928-1930). During this expedition, Blackburn and 41 other explorers were forced to winter over in the Little America base due to their ship being stuck in the pack ice.


Snow petrels feed mainly on fish, some cephalopods, mollusks, and [[krill]], as well as carrion. During the winter, they disperse to the [[pack ice]], [[ice]] floes, and the open sea. Flocks are characteristically seen sitting on [[iceberg]]s. Only very rarely are they observed north of the pack ice.
Undoubtedly, Quin Blackburn's most lasting contribution to [[Antarctic]] exploration was as the leader of the Second Byrd Expedition's Geologic Party (1933-1935). During this expedition, he led a three-man team on a 1,500 mile trek across [[Marie Byrd Land]], investigating the geology of the [[Queen Maud Mountains]] while also sledging the length of the [[Scott Glacier]] onto the Polar Plateau. His prowess as an explorer was evident by the fact that his team returned from their long polar traverse having gained weight. Blackburn copied [[Robert Falcon Scott]]'s system of traveling with and consuming a large team of dogs to ensure a steady supply of protein, fat, and Vitamin C during the expedition.


With an occurrence range of 35,900,000 km2 (13,861,067 sq mi), and an estimated population of 4 million adult birds, the IUCN has classified this bird as least concern for conservation efforts.
'''([[Quin Blackburn|Full Article...]])'''
 
'''([[Snow petrel|Full Article...]])'''

Latest revision as of 15:25, 20 August 2025

Quin Blackburn.jpg

Quin Blackburn was a geologist on the First and Second Byrd Expeditions and leader of the geologic party that explored the Transantarctic Mountains. Blackburn served as a geologist and seaman—before—the mast on the First Byrd Expedition (1928-1930). During this expedition, Blackburn and 41 other explorers were forced to winter over in the Little America base due to their ship being stuck in the pack ice.

Undoubtedly, Quin Blackburn's most lasting contribution to Antarctic exploration was as the leader of the Second Byrd Expedition's Geologic Party (1933-1935). During this expedition, he led a three-man team on a 1,500 mile trek across Marie Byrd Land, investigating the geology of the Queen Maud Mountains while also sledging the length of the Scott Glacier onto the Polar Plateau. His prowess as an explorer was evident by the fact that his team returned from their long polar traverse having gained weight. Blackburn copied Robert Falcon Scott's system of traveling with and consuming a large team of dogs to ensure a steady supply of protein, fat, and Vitamin C during the expedition.

(Full Article...)