the more things change, they also stay the same

I recently ran across some old photos of the McMurdo area on our shared network drive. When I say 'old,' I mean from the year 1957 when this place was but a speck in the imagination; or on the continent of Antarctica; and when black & white photography was en vogue.

The first picture is something you don't see around the area anymore unless you are fortunate to shadow a penguin scientist for a day. The Antarctic Treaty prevents us from touching or interfering with wildlife if it changes their behavior.

The second picture though is common practice around these parts. When a penguin shows up, everyone surrounds the critter looking for the best shot and hoping the little guy wanders up close to us. The birds don't adhere to any treaties and if they approach us we just get to sit still, snap a few photos, and enjoy the unprecedented view of Antarctic nature at its finest.