At sea to St Helena

As we continue our voyage to the north we entered the tropics yesterday. In addition to the transition that we note with an increase in temperature of both the air and sea, we have also noted a biological transition. The abundant seabirds of the South Atlantic and Southern Ocean have now been left behind and the warmer waters of the tropical Atlantic Ocean is proving to be something of a desert as far as seabirds are concerned. But with the decrease in abundance has come a change in the species seen. The albatrosses that have been such a familiar sight since we left Ushuaia nearly three weeks ago are gone and today we saw our first tropicbirds.

As the name suggests these birds are typically found in the warmer water regions. Characterised by extended central tail feathers these are some of the most attractive seabirds in the tropics. Two species can be found in the Atlantic – the red-billed and the yellow-billed and both can be as curious about our presence as we are about them and they will often circle the ship for a few minutes. Taking photographs of these birds as they fly overhead can prove difficult, with bits of the superstructure of the ship getting in the way (top). But with a little help from the experts on board this Photo Expedition such obstructions can easily be removed (bottom)! No longer can you believe that the camera never lies.