National Geographic Resolution sailed west toward the Falklands immersed in fog. Birders were teased all morning with brief views of small petrels and albatrosses zipping in and out of visibility. After listening to naturalist Rob Edwards talk geology, guests headed outside. They were delighted to see that the fog had lifted, and three wandering albatrosses cruised effortlessly above the wake of the ship. It was the smaller birds that stole the show, though, with grey petrels, great shearwaters, and soft-plumaged petrels all showing off their agility in the winds. As the day progressed, we were joined by the first skuas of the passage, a sure sign that we are getting close to land.
3/8/2023
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National Geographic Resolution
West Point Island and Steeple Jason, Falkland Islands
Happy International Women’s Day! Today also turned out to be Great Albatross Day in the Falklands. We woke up just off West Point Island, which lies off the most northwestern point of mainland West Falkland. After breakfast, we took a short shuttle ride to a sheltered harbour just below the settlement. Most guests chose to hike across the island to a large colony of black-browed albatrosses and rockhopper penguins. Those who wanted a less strenuous crossing took a Land Rover to the colony. Afterwards, the hosts at the settlement provided a very generous serving of tea and pastries in the main house. In the afternoon, National Geographic Resolution repositioned to the south side of Steeple Jason, an island holding the second largest black-browed albatross colony in the world. An estimated 200,000 pairs of the species breed here. There are also gentoo penguins and a small number of rockhopper penguins nesting on the island. About half of the guests went ashore for a hike to the albatross colony, and the rest opted for a Zodiac cruise. After dinner, we all gathered in the Ice Lounge to watch the Guest Slideshow. What an amazing bunch of memories from our epic trip in the Southern Ocean!