I got an excited call from Antarctica. It’s ecstatic over finally getting its own ocean.  With help from prestigious scientists at National Geographic along with many highly community-oriented penguins, the tally of the world’s oceans is now officially the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Arctic and – ta da! – the South Ocean. It kinda rings a county bell hereabouts.

A recumbent double-crested cormorant still has time to head south. (Photos by Ryan Morrill)

Those backing this oceanic designation have long been stumping for its acceptance as a bona fide water mass. It wasn’t an easy row since there are seemingly no official agencies to lobby regarding the matter.