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.

Half Moon Island, South Shetlands. 23/11/11 A.M.

White Chinned Petrel

Approach to Half Moon Island

On the morning of 23rd we were approaching Half Moon Island which holds a colony tens of 1000s of Chinstrap Penguins. Round the ship we still had Cape Petrels, Southern Giant Petrels and White Chinned Petrels keeping us company until we anchored in the lee of the island.

A Superb Chinstrap Welcome

This was kind of welcome we received stepping out of our Zodiacs in glorious sunshine a balmy 7C for our first island landing.  Absolutely Magical!!

The Chinstraps were totally oblivious to our presence walking right up to us and so endearing. Making my 400mm lense almost superfluous.

Brown Skua

Brown Skuas and Kelp Gulls  patrolled the colonies looking for unattended eggs. While Sheathbills revelled in eating Penguin poo and anything else they could find.

Chinstrap with egg in nest of stones.

Our floating home M/V Plancius

Macaroni Penguin

In one of the Chinstrap colonies a lone Macaroni Penguin. We made special efforts to see this bird as we would be unlikely to see any more as there main breeding site is in South Georgia along way off our proposed route.

Macaroni Penguin

Ice Crystal Halo

While walking through some times waist high snow to the other end of the island to see some Weddell Seals an Ice Halo appeared above the island. Apparently these are caused by the sun shining through ice crystals in the atmosphere.

Weddell Seal

Collecting stones for its nest

Unfortunately our time ashore was very limited as we had a 4 hour sail to our next island visit on Deception Island.

BT Super slow broadband

Thanks to BT super fast broadband (Not) I am now getting only 8-13KBPs so I unable to upload any pictures. Hopefully after the engineer comes tomorrow normal service will be resumed.  

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.