Falkland Islands
Barren and George Islands are the southern entrance to Falkland Sound and form the southernmost working farm in the Falkland Islands. Chris and Lindsay May are fifth generation islanders. They own this land and continue their family tradition of raising cattle and sheep.
The May family has exhibited the pioneering spirit necessary to live and thrive in these harsh and remote conditions. Fresh drinking water comes from rainwater captured off the roof. Power is generated by the wind. Getting to Port Stanley involves a boat, a car, and several hours of travel. Chris and Lindsay have raised their two children to adulthood who now are spreading their wings at University and professionally.
Chris and Lindsay opened their doors and invited us in for a look at their lifestyle. Chris demonstrated how to sheer a sheep and pen livestock with their dogs, while Lindsay treated us to wonderful stories over a cup of tea.
Animal parents here in this remote place also face many of the same challenges in raising their young like the May family. As we explored the May’s backyard, Magellanic penguins protected their chicks in burrows constructed underground. With a slow approach, one might have had the unique opportunity to see both parent and chick at home deep in the burrow safe from wind and rain. The parent literally becomes the door to the burrow, blocking out any threat.
Abundant Southern giant petrels choose to nest on the wind and rain swept beaches fully exposed to all the elements. Protection for their young comes in a rather unique ability possessed by these parents who fly to make a living and projectile vomit on any and all intruders who dare to approach their homes and threaten their offspring’s safety. Chicks explore through the door to the outside world, created by the parent’s wing, a span of seven feet.
For birds and people alike, raising self-reliant youngsters under such challenging and harsh conditions is the rule rather than the exception.
“Everyone is an explorer. How could you possibly live your life looking at a door and not go open it?” - Robert Ballard
Barren and George Islands are the southern entrance to Falkland Sound and form the southernmost working farm in the Falkland Islands. Chris and Lindsay May are fifth generation islanders. They own this land and continue their family tradition of raising cattle and sheep.
The May family has exhibited the pioneering spirit necessary to live and thrive in these harsh and remote conditions. Fresh drinking water comes from rainwater captured off the roof. Power is generated by the wind. Getting to Port Stanley involves a boat, a car, and several hours of travel. Chris and Lindsay have raised their two children to adulthood who now are spreading their wings at University and professionally.
Chris and Lindsay opened their doors and invited us in for a look at their lifestyle. Chris demonstrated how to sheer a sheep and pen livestock with their dogs, while Lindsay treated us to wonderful stories over a cup of tea.
Animal parents here in this remote place also face many of the same challenges in raising their young like the May family. As we explored the May’s backyard, Magellanic penguins protected their chicks in burrows constructed underground. With a slow approach, one might have had the unique opportunity to see both parent and chick at home deep in the burrow safe from wind and rain. The parent literally becomes the door to the burrow, blocking out any threat.
Abundant Southern giant petrels choose to nest on the wind and rain swept beaches fully exposed to all the elements. Protection for their young comes in a rather unique ability possessed by these parents who fly to make a living and projectile vomit on any and all intruders who dare to approach their homes and threaten their offspring’s safety. Chicks explore through the door to the outside world, created by the parent’s wing, a span of seven feet.
For birds and people alike, raising self-reliant youngsters under such challenging and harsh conditions is the rule rather than the exception.
“Everyone is an explorer. How could you possibly live your life looking at a door and not go open it?” - Robert Ballard
