Macrh 5 - Isla Magdalena

Today we did our last landing via zodiacs of the cruise. Tomorrow we are in Punta Arenas at a dock. I was happy that I was assigned to drive. The wind was high and the seas were extremely swelly, but the Captain positioned, and then repositioned, the ship so that we were running with the waves and wind at our backs both to and from the landing. Upon launching my zodiac I was met by a group of Commersons Dolphin. It was so nice to see them as I have not seen many cetaceans on this cruise. They, as usual, were friendly and played with my zodiac as I got ready to pick up the passengers.

After landing the passengers on Isla Magdalena, I was able to tie up my zodiac and take a walk around the island and up to the lighthouse. On Isla Magdalena there are about 50,000 breeding pairs of Magalenic Penguins. Although I took many photos of them on shore, molting, and in their burrows, I think my favorite of the day is of one diving into the heavy surf for an afternoon of feeding.


Magallenic Penguin diving in

The Magalenic Penguins are very curious, but do not come up to you like the Gentoo Penguins in Antarctica. They will, however, stare at you intently, and if you get down on the ground at eye level, they will cock their head back and forth checking you out, and mimicking your head movements. I've attached a photo showing myself having a stare-down with two penguins.


Checking out the Penguins
Photo credit: Andy Wolff

I also saw a large number of South American Terns, which are beautiful birds. There was a group of them just hanging at the shoreline. I've attached a photo of them as well, just so they don't feel left out.


Terns