Steeple Jason Island and Carcass Island
It was a beautiful, balmy spring day in the Falkland Islands. Sunshine greeted us at a very early breakfast before our morning landing at Steeple Jason Island. This is a rarely visited island, as the weather must be perfect to make the landing. Three researchers studying birds on the island greeted us as we came ashore. While the landing itself was a rocky challenge, the rewards were fantastic. The island is dramatic, with colorful lichen and red sorrel creating brushstrokes of color over the landscape. Our walk first brought us to a nesting colony of gentoo penguins. There were many adorable chicks, only days old. There was also a massive black-browed albatross colony, spread over approximately 3 miles, with over 150,000 breeding pairs (take that number, times 2, plus another 15-20% for immature and non-breeding birds to figure the approximate total population). The island’s pointed peaks reached high above the sweeping blue sea surrounding us.
Afternoon brought us to Carcass Island. The long walkers set out first from the far beach, which looked stunning in the afternoon sun. Aqua water and white sand made it appear almost tropical. Warmer than anyone expected, our red coats suddenly seemed very out of place. The photographers set out for a shorter stroll along the shorelines near the island’s habitations. Both groups were blessed with great views of a variety of ducks and geese with babies, magellanic penguins, oystercatchers, inquisitive striated caracaras locally known as “Johnny Rooks,” and pleasant scenery. We converged at the small settlement where our host, Rob McGill, treated us to cups of hot tea and a table chock full of delicious sweet treats. We felt warmly welcomed indeed. By late afternoon, we were back onboard our ship steaming eastward for our visit to the town of Stanley tomorrow.
It was a beautiful, balmy spring day in the Falkland Islands. Sunshine greeted us at a very early breakfast before our morning landing at Steeple Jason Island. This is a rarely visited island, as the weather must be perfect to make the landing. Three researchers studying birds on the island greeted us as we came ashore. While the landing itself was a rocky challenge, the rewards were fantastic. The island is dramatic, with colorful lichen and red sorrel creating brushstrokes of color over the landscape. Our walk first brought us to a nesting colony of gentoo penguins. There were many adorable chicks, only days old. There was also a massive black-browed albatross colony, spread over approximately 3 miles, with over 150,000 breeding pairs (take that number, times 2, plus another 15-20% for immature and non-breeding birds to figure the approximate total population). The island’s pointed peaks reached high above the sweeping blue sea surrounding us.
Afternoon brought us to Carcass Island. The long walkers set out first from the far beach, which looked stunning in the afternoon sun. Aqua water and white sand made it appear almost tropical. Warmer than anyone expected, our red coats suddenly seemed very out of place. The photographers set out for a shorter stroll along the shorelines near the island’s habitations. Both groups were blessed with great views of a variety of ducks and geese with babies, magellanic penguins, oystercatchers, inquisitive striated caracaras locally known as “Johnny Rooks,” and pleasant scenery. We converged at the small settlement where our host, Rob McGill, treated us to cups of hot tea and a table chock full of delicious sweet treats. We felt warmly welcomed indeed. By late afternoon, we were back onboard our ship steaming eastward for our visit to the town of Stanley tomorrow.
