Deception Island 23/11/2011 P.M.



Approach to Deception Island

 Arriving at Deception Island in the early evening of 23rd in brilliant sunshine we still had Cape Petrels, Southern Giant Petrels,Wilson's Petrels and Skuas. Deception is a collapsed volcano which flooded thousands of years ago. To enter the caldera and the safety of calmer waters we had to sail through  a narrow channel called Neptune's Bellows which was quite spectacular.

Entrance to Neptune's Bellows

Gentoo Penguin

 Although this landing was primarily to learn more of the history of Deception there were still birds to be seen. With Gentoo Penguins and Chinstrap Penguins, Kelp Gulls, Antarctic Terns and Skuas. On the outside slopes of Deception there is a vast colony of Chinstraps.

South Polar Skua

 The amazingly close views of the Skuas gave us the chance to separate South Polar and Brown Skuas. Which at close quarters was relatively easy, as the Brown Skuas are huge with very heavy bills and very dark faces compared to the South Polars. Unfortunately we did not come across any really blonde South Polars.

Brown Skua

South Polar Skua

3 South Polar and a Brown skua bottom right. (note bill size and dark face)

Gentoo and Chinstraps

Gentoo

Old whaling station

You cant help some people

 The sea inside the caldera is allegedly warmer due to volcanic activity but only by 1C. 2 passengers decided to have a swim. 1 week ago the whole of the caldera was frozen solid. The photograph below  shows the opposite end of the caldera the same day.  

Fragmenting ice pack in the caldera.