At Sea
Today would begin a two day trip between the north end of South Georgia and our next island destination, the Falklands. During this trip we will have traversed around most of the Scotia Sea that is defined in part by the many island groups that we visited on our trip thus far.
Timing worked out for us to briefly view Shag Rocks, which lies several hours travel off the west end of South Georgia. It is a breeding place for many of the cormorants that live off of the sea. Hundreds of birds flew around the pinnacles of rock as we took a few minutes to watch them.
Later in the morning there were more chances to bird watch as the ship was constantly being circled by numerous species of petrels, shearwaters, and of course the largest of the tube-nose seabirds, the albatross. The most numerous of these were the black-browed albatross, with their distinctive black line of feathers across the back and the mascara line of feathers that give them the name. The flight of these birds is amazing, and became the topic of discussion at more than one table during lunch. The birds were, at times, just inches from the glass.
The rest of the day was spent with thoughts and memories from South Georgia and the Antarctic peninsula, and anticipation of what the Falkland Island hold in store for us.
Today would begin a two day trip between the north end of South Georgia and our next island destination, the Falklands. During this trip we will have traversed around most of the Scotia Sea that is defined in part by the many island groups that we visited on our trip thus far.
Timing worked out for us to briefly view Shag Rocks, which lies several hours travel off the west end of South Georgia. It is a breeding place for many of the cormorants that live off of the sea. Hundreds of birds flew around the pinnacles of rock as we took a few minutes to watch them.
Later in the morning there were more chances to bird watch as the ship was constantly being circled by numerous species of petrels, shearwaters, and of course the largest of the tube-nose seabirds, the albatross. The most numerous of these were the black-browed albatross, with their distinctive black line of feathers across the back and the mascara line of feathers that give them the name. The flight of these birds is amazing, and became the topic of discussion at more than one table during lunch. The birds were, at times, just inches from the glass.
The rest of the day was spent with thoughts and memories from South Georgia and the Antarctic peninsula, and anticipation of what the Falkland Island hold in store for us.
