Drake Passage and The South Shetlands

On the morning of the 21st after spending a surprisingly comfortable night in the top bunk of a 4 birth cabin which estate agents would descibe as snug, I woke up about 4.30A.M. to the sound of the sea hitting the closed port hole. I quickly got dressed and went on deck for a days sea watching, then the sea sickness hit me (along with more than half the passengers and crew) as the ship was being tossed about in 50+ knot winds. I returned to my bunk for the next 8 hrs until i forced myself on deck and over came the sickness and wow it was worth it!!!

Cape Petrel

Dozens of Cape Petrels were around the boat, at times they were so close you could reach out and touch them. These were almost constantly around the ship the whole trip.

Southern Giant Petrel (Green tip to bill)

Several Southern Giant Petrels (Northern as well Mike) it is not till you see them that you realise just how big they are, were around the ship, these also were seen daily.


                                                             Light Mantled Sooty Albatross

 Joining the growing throng of birds coming and going around the ship were upto 14 stunning Light Mantled Sooty Albatrosses. Apparently we very lucky to see the numbers these Albatrosses as ususally only 1 or 2 are seen.  Photographs do not do them justice. I must have taken at least 500 of them and are still sorting through them.

                                                                        Blue Petrel
Delightful Blue Petrels (note the white tip to the tail) danced around the ship at great speed in the strong winds making photographing them very difficult. Thats my excuse.

                                                            Antarctic Prions (Broad Billed)

                 Many Antarctic Prions buzzed around and escorted the ship south wards.

Northern Royal Albatross

Huge white backed Albatrosses drifted past the ship giving us some ID head aches though these Northern Royal Albatrosses were easier than most to sort out.

                                                                       Antarctic Petrel

 Several Antarctic Petrels joined the ship which is apparently unusal away from the pack ice.

Antarctic and Cape Petrel

                                                             Southern Royal Albatross

                                                                 Southern Royal Albatross

 Southern Royal Albatrosses came and went. This one dwarfs the Antarctic Prion with it. 

Black Bellied Storm Petrel

A Few Black Bellied Storm Petrels appeared as we sailed further south.

                                                              Grey Headed Albatross
Gorgeous Grey Headed Albatrosses joined the ever growing list of birds around the ship

                                        Grey Headed Albatross and Southern Fulmar

Black browed Albatross

Black browed Albatrosses accompanied the ship through to the South shetlands.

Wilsons Storm Petrels, Southern Fulmars and Wandering Albatrosses were also seen regularily. I am still sorting photographs.