It’s hard to find words to describe what the last three weeks have been like. Amazing is one. Awesome. Fantastic. Wonderful. Inspiring. Unreal.
Taking to the southern ocean to explore the Australasian subantarctic islands has been eye-opening. I cannot thank Rodney Russ and Heritage Expeditions enough for the opportunity – it has been absolutely life-changing.
Enough of my gushing – here’s some photos.
Snares Crested Penguins in the unusually still waters around the Snares islands. We were extremely lucky to be able to zodiac cruise around the coast on both trips – the weather can make it very difficult and often impossible.Fields of yellow Ross Lily (Bulbinella rossi) and the purple-pink ‘Campbell Island carrot’ (Anisotome latifolia) on Enderby Island, in the Auckland Islands. I was absolutely blown away by the subantarctic megaherbs. Almost turned me from a birder into a botanist!White-capped Albatross off Auckland Island. I spent a lot of time on deck photographing seabirds. It’s quite possibly my favourite activity, enhanced by having a few very calm days at sea, and a great group of people yelling out identifications and pointing cameras in every direction. Go Team Bird!Macqaurie Island is spectacular – King and Royal penguins as far as the eye can see (and then further than that), not to mention piles of Elephant seals. We were blessed with good weather for both our passage to and from the island as well as our time there.Sea lions! I had many encounters with these guys, and a perfect afternoon on Enderby Island watching the breeding colony at Sandy Bay. These little pups are too gorgeous.Campbell Island is amazing, both in calm weather and in the wild winds we encountered on the second trip. Though they drove us from the island, they’re perfect for the Albatross that make the tussocky slopes their nesting grounds. This adventure has really only affirmed for me that there is no bird more beautiful than an albatross, from little Campbell Albatross with their golden eyes, to these Southern Royals – graceful, stately giants.So this has been (roughly) my path – a few detours due to the weather during the second trip. It has been the absolute best way to dive into 2016, so check back soon for more photos, more stories, and a whole lot of adventure.
