Anchors aweigh again.............later we were
heading for an afternoon landing on Prion Island,
just a short sail from Salisbury Plain.
Leaving this magical place was really hard.
Prion Island, South Georgia Island - number 5 on map.
Icebergs along the horizon.
Landing at Prion Island we were immediately able to
view the Fur seal nursery on the beach - partly
sunny and a balmy 42F. Walking through so many adults
with young was not an easy thing.
view the Fur seal nursery on the beach - partly
sunny and a balmy 42F. Walking through so many adults
with young was not an easy thing.
The hike up to the nesting sites of the large Wandering
albatross was made easier by the boardwalk. It was constructed
to protect flora and nesting birds some years before by our
very own Scobie, a member of our expedition team.
albatross was made easier by the boardwalk. It was constructed
to protect flora and nesting birds some years before by our
very own Scobie, a member of our expedition team.
Wandering albatross on nest.
These huge birds have long narrow wings - wingspan reaches 11 feet in adulthood, weight 20 lbs. - are well suited to efficient flight in the open ocean where wind is plentiful and obstacles few. They cover huge distances, one tracked by satellite flew 20,505 miles in 71 days! They breed when 10-12 years of age, usually remaining with the same mate, and their lifespan is 40+ years.
Views across the bay to the surrounding mountains on
the island were very beautiful................
.........and out to sea the icebergs continued to wow us!
.........but seemed to calm again once the moon
appeared and the Antarctic night took on a special
beauty in the glow......this pic from my cabin
window at 7:30 PM. Click to enlarge pics in lightbox.
Next time: Excitement brewing on board as we follow
Sir Ernest Shackleton's journey to Grytviken, first
shore-based whaling station in the Antarctic, and
celebrated the amazing Polar expedition he took at
his grave on South Georgia Island.
This evening I will be snuggled up and watching one of several movies made of Shackleton's journey. This one, a documentary, is titled The Endurance. I have a beastly cold to boot - but perhaps will feel less sorry for myself watching what those men experienced in 1914-16 when prisoners of the Antarctic ice!
The wildlife here was special with so many very young Fur seals.........
....but again it was time to leave and return to the ship
as afternoon clouds rolled in and the water
had a good chop starting by 4 PM..................
.........but seemed to calm again once the moon
appeared and the Antarctic night took on a special
beauty in the glow......this pic from my cabin
window at 7:30 PM. Click to enlarge pics in lightbox.
Next time: Excitement brewing on board as we follow
Sir Ernest Shackleton's journey to Grytviken, first
shore-based whaling station in the Antarctic, and
celebrated the amazing Polar expedition he took at
his grave on South Georgia Island.
This evening I will be snuggled up and watching one of several movies made of Shackleton's journey. This one, a documentary, is titled The Endurance. I have a beastly cold to boot - but perhaps will feel less sorry for myself watching what those men experienced in 1914-16 when prisoners of the Antarctic ice!
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