Falkland Islands – February 16

Our last trip of the season has started out amazing. We have been blessed with glorious weather for the past two days and as I write, we are in what is affectionately called "Drake Lake". I can not even feel the motion of the ship. Most importantly, the sun is shining and has been shining since we left Ushuaia. I have seen a few sunsets and even the Southern Cross.

Yesterday we visited the Falkland Islands. There was no wind and it was very warm - in the 50's. Russell went barefoot in the zodiac in his shorts and t-shirt. I still wore my foul weather gear, but had only a light shirt underneath. It felt nice not to need gloves or a hat for a change. Carcass and New Island both looked great in the sunshine. The Rockhopper Penguins have almost all fledged at this point so the rookery was quite empty. Everything looks totally different from the way it did when we first arrived in mid January. It is amazing how fast the chicks grow. The albatross chicks are so huge now and starting to molt. They are still fluffy down covered and I watched many of them stretch their wings in anticipation of their first flight. I have attached a photograph of one of the chicks sitting on their nest.


Black Browed Albatross chick outgrowing its nest

I have also attached a photograph of the zodiac landing at New Island so you can see how beautiful (and almost tropical looking) it was. I have chosen this photo because if you look closely, it is very funny. Cheli, the expedition leader, is holding my zodiac so that I can not move. It was pretty funny as I kept reversing harder and still thought I was stuck on the sand. However, I did finally figure it out when I turned around just as she popped up and released me. Everyone was in a giddy mood from the sunshine. It was a fitting way to leave the Falklands and I am hopeful that I can visit again someday soon.


Zodiac landing at New Island