Falkland Islands 2011
Sunrise over the Falklands
We flew to Ushuaia, Argentina to board the National Geographic Explorer and then traveled northeast to the Falkland Islands, then southeast to South Georgia, and then southwest to the Antarctic Peninsula. We spent two days in the Falkland Is., 5 days in South Georgia, and another 5 days visiting various sites on the Antarctic Peninsula. From Antarctica we returned to Ushuaia crossing the dreaded Drake Passage. But fortunately the seas were not rough on our return.
It took a day to reach the Falkland Islands. We visited two places on the West Falklands and then traveled to Stanley, the capital.
Dolphin riding the pressure wave in front of the bow of the ship.
Many sea birds followed the ship. This is a cape petrel.
Southern giant petrel demonstrating the aerodynamics of flight.
A speedy cape petrel.
More dolphins in front of the bow along with interesting reflections.
Aren't the markings on these cape petrels striking.
2011 AntarcticaCape petrelFalkland to South GeorgiaFalklands
Black-browed albatross skimming along the water.
Southern giant petrel
Female greater kelp goose
2011 AntarcticaGreater Kelp Goose femaleWest FalklandsFalklands
A long-tailed meadowlark
2011 AntarcticaLongtailed Meadlowlark maleWest FalklandsFalklands
Look at the fluffy feathers on this greater kelp goose.
2011 AntarcticaGreater Kelp Goose femaleWest FalklandsFalklands
Look at how different the male greater kelp goose is from the female.
2011 AntarcticaGreater Kelp Goose maleWest FalklandsFalklands
Here you can see the difference readily -- male greater kelp goose on the left and female on the right.
2011 AntarcticaGreater Kelp Goose femaleGreater Kelp Goose maleWest FalklandsFalklands
Magellanic oystercatcher
2011 AntarcticaMagellanic OystercatcherWest FalklandsFalklands
The Falkland Tussockbird with a catch.
Exploring the west Falklands
Three greater kelp geese. Actually it's a composite of the same goose.
2011 AntarcticaGreater Kelp Goose femaleWest FalklandsFalklands
Mama greater upland goose taking her chicks out for a short swim.
Mom and dad taking their chicks for a swim.
2011 AntarcticaGreater Upland GooseNational Geographic ExplorerWest FalklandsFalklands
Patagonia crested duck
2011 AntarcticaPatagonia Crested DuckWest FalklandsFalklands
From the shoreline with the National Geographic Explorer anchored in the harbor.
2011 AntarcticaNational Geographic ExplorerWest FalklandsFalklands
The old and the new!
Another view of the old on Westpoint Island
Rockhopper penguin
And another Rockhopper penguin.
We hiked a couple of miles in the rain to reach this rookery of blackbrowed albatrosses. It was indeed worth seeing these magnificent birds.
2011 AntarcticaBlackbrowed AlbatrossFalklandsWestpoint Island
We wrapped our cameras in plastic and wiped the lens incessantly to capture these photos.
2011 AntarcticaBlackbrowed AlbatrossFalklandsWestpoint Island
Preening is a major occupatioin of these blackbrowed albatrosses.
2011 AntarcticaBlackbrowed AlbatrossFalklandsWestpoint Island
These beautiful birds weigh between 6-10 lbs. and have a wingspan of 6-8 feet.
2011 AntarcticaBlackbrowed AlbatrossFalklandsWestpoint Island
I shared something with this albatross -- we both were trying to shelter ourselves from the rain.
2011 AntarcticaBlackbrowed AlbatrossFalklandsWestpoint Island
We stood in the tussock grass a few meters from where these albatrosses made their nests. They were undisturbed by our presence.
2011 AntarcticaBlackbrowed AlbatrossFalklandsWestpoint Island
Now this squawking albatross was disturbed as he was trying to find a place to land. Notice the rockhopper penguins amongst the nesting albatrosses.
2011 AntarcticaBlackbrowed AlbatrossFalklandsWestpoint Island
More preening, and the result is obvious -- beautifully groomed.
2011 AntarcticaBlackbrowed AlbatrossFalklandsWestpoint Island
Albatrosses come to the Falklands in September and October to breed.
2011 AntarcticaBlackbrowed AlbatrossFalklandsWestpoint Island
Abandoned ship in the harbor at Stanley, Falklands.
Does this phone booth in Stanley tell you who owns the Falkland Islands? Right, it's British.
Another abandon ship in Stanley harbor. Many ships were disabled in the turbulent waters of the Falkland Islands and the Drake Passage.
Souther giant petrel following the ship.
2011 AntarcticaFalkland to South GeorgiaSouthern Giant PetrelFalklands
A beautiful cathedral in Stanley.
The stained glass as seen from inside the cathedral.
A pair of beautiful gulls in Stanley.
