THE first Elephant Seal pup of the season has arrived!

A Palmer Station staffer spotted the family while out skiing at sunset.

The pup, its mother and a male have made Bonapart Point their base.

This exposed rocky outcrop is less than a mile from the station as the crow flies, but in winter when the bay is icy, it can only be reached via the glacier.

As word spreads, groups of skiers, snow-shoers and hikers climb and descend the ice-packed glacier, connecting the station to Bonapart Point. Each group outlines their route and maintains constant radio contact with the base.

The four hour round trip and variable coastal weather – which can turn calm blue skies into a stormy white out when the clouds role in – do not dampen spirits.

We find Palmers Stations’ newest arrival lying near to its mother, a short distance from a large male, possibly the father.

Out here, there is little shelter from the elements. The wind whips up and freezing ice rain slashes the air. We are bundled up in many layers of Extreme Cold Weather gear, protecting every inch of skin except our cheeks.

Most of the time, the three animals lay still, conserving energy. Occasionally, the pup flips its fins and the adults raise their heads and give out deep barks.

Zooming in with my camera, I can see that the male seal’s skin is rough and bears deep scars. He is more than twice the size of the female. Although he does not appear to be a threat, I would not like to encounter him alone.

At one point, he lumbers up and launches into a sideways-forwards motion. His enormous blubbery figure and large trunk-like snout justify the name of his breed – Elephant Seal.

The Antarctic Conservation Act mandates that we keep our distance from all wildlife so as not to interfere with the animals’ natural behavior. I am happy to do this!

For the Palmer Station winter-over crew, the new birth is the first sign of the changing seasons. For me, it is my first live encounter with Antarctic wildlife. I am pretty excited.