The next morning we set off via Zodiac in search of an oyster bed on the northwestern portion of Byers Peninsula. While oysters indicate a marine setting, they are found in shallow waters, which have potential for terrestrial mammals.

We arrive at Rays Peninsula to an interesting smell ... Antarctic Fur seals. These are quite different from true seals in that they can use their front legs to walk semi-upright, and they have external ears.

We hike about a kilometer in search of the oyster beds over some fairly steep terrain. No avail ... again snow cover has not been nice. The views, however, are spectacular.

We have been on the windward side of the Antarctic Peninsula. In a few days, we will be on the leeward and, hopefully, drier and more ice-free side.