Saunders and Carcass Islands, Falkland Islands
The windswept Falkland Islands sit at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean three hundred miles off South America. Here in this isolated archipelago we began our Photo Expedition to Antarctica, arriving yesterday by charter flight from Santiago, Chile. We pondered “streams of stones” as described by Charles Darwin – periglacial boulder flows called ‘stone runs’ – unique geological features. We rode past marked-off minefields and strategic battle sites of the infamous 1982 British-Argentine Conflict.
Out from the English culture of capital city Port Stanley we embarked this morning to explore the natural diversity of the Falklands. Despite its remote, windy and treeless nature this archipelago is home to a photogenic bounty of unusual wildlife. Strikingly patterned Commerson’s dolphins (see photo) bow rode the Endeavour leading us in to the privately owned Saunders Island. Here we enjoyed an introductory tour de force of penguins – brush-tailed Gentoos, aptly-named Rockhoppers, burrow-nesting Magellanics and a clique of stately King Penguins, including an “Oakum Boy,” an oversized brown feather ball chick.
In the afternoon another rare dolphin species, Peale’s black-chinned dolphins, played about our Zodiacs on our way in to Carcass Island. A long hike provided sweeping panoramic views of a crescentic bay and a brilliant diversity of bird life including Upland Geese, Flightless Steamer Ducks, Striated Caracaras, Red-backed Hawks, Long-tailed Meadowlarks, Tussock Birds and nesting Gentoo Penguins. Proper reward for our hike was a proper High Tea hosted by the island’s owners. Back on board the Endeavour, we enjoyed a Welcome Aboard Cocktail Reception and Officers’ Dinner.
We have begun a voyage to the last Continent here in the Falkland Islands, an outpost archipelago of blustery landscape, where we are discovering rare and captivating wildlife that is approachable, photographable and inspiring.
The windswept Falkland Islands sit at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean three hundred miles off South America. Here in this isolated archipelago we began our Photo Expedition to Antarctica, arriving yesterday by charter flight from Santiago, Chile. We pondered “streams of stones” as described by Charles Darwin – periglacial boulder flows called ‘stone runs’ – unique geological features. We rode past marked-off minefields and strategic battle sites of the infamous 1982 British-Argentine Conflict.
Out from the English culture of capital city Port Stanley we embarked this morning to explore the natural diversity of the Falklands. Despite its remote, windy and treeless nature this archipelago is home to a photogenic bounty of unusual wildlife. Strikingly patterned Commerson’s dolphins (see photo) bow rode the Endeavour leading us in to the privately owned Saunders Island. Here we enjoyed an introductory tour de force of penguins – brush-tailed Gentoos, aptly-named Rockhoppers, burrow-nesting Magellanics and a clique of stately King Penguins, including an “Oakum Boy,” an oversized brown feather ball chick.
In the afternoon another rare dolphin species, Peale’s black-chinned dolphins, played about our Zodiacs on our way in to Carcass Island. A long hike provided sweeping panoramic views of a crescentic bay and a brilliant diversity of bird life including Upland Geese, Flightless Steamer Ducks, Striated Caracaras, Red-backed Hawks, Long-tailed Meadowlarks, Tussock Birds and nesting Gentoo Penguins. Proper reward for our hike was a proper High Tea hosted by the island’s owners. Back on board the Endeavour, we enjoyed a Welcome Aboard Cocktail Reception and Officers’ Dinner.
We have begun a voyage to the last Continent here in the Falkland Islands, an outpost archipelago of blustery landscape, where we are discovering rare and captivating wildlife that is approachable, photographable and inspiring.
