At sea, Puerto Madryn to South Georgia
The second day of our four day crossing to South Georgia proved to be an exceptional day for wildlife sightings. We found a remarkable diversity of birds and marine mammals despite the distance from the nearest land. The moderate northerly winds abated during the day and by early afternoon we were making good speed in calm seas.
The seabird enthusiasts were out on deck again all day and were rewarded with a superb diversity of species from many disparate regions. From the north came long-tailed skuas which breed in the high Arctic while Antarctica was home to the Cape petrels. There were royal albatrosses from New Zealand while the black-browed albatrosses had not traveled so far, most likely from the Falkland Islands. Other South Atlantic islands were represented by white-chinned petrels from South Georgia and Atlantic petrels (pictured) from the Tristan da Cunha group. In total about 30 species was recorded, including seven of the ten species of albatross it is possible to see in the Southern Ocean.
Early in the afternoon a distant whale blow was seen and we altered course to obtain better views. Thanks to the skilful maneuvering of the officers on the bridge we were able to make a close approach to a small group of at least three sei whales.As I write this at the end of the day we were over half way to our destination - 659 nautical miles from Puerto Madryn with 648 nautical miles to go to King Haakon Bay in South Georgia.
The second day of our four day crossing to South Georgia proved to be an exceptional day for wildlife sightings. We found a remarkable diversity of birds and marine mammals despite the distance from the nearest land. The moderate northerly winds abated during the day and by early afternoon we were making good speed in calm seas.
The seabird enthusiasts were out on deck again all day and were rewarded with a superb diversity of species from many disparate regions. From the north came long-tailed skuas which breed in the high Arctic while Antarctica was home to the Cape petrels. There were royal albatrosses from New Zealand while the black-browed albatrosses had not traveled so far, most likely from the Falkland Islands. Other South Atlantic islands were represented by white-chinned petrels from South Georgia and Atlantic petrels (pictured) from the Tristan da Cunha group. In total about 30 species was recorded, including seven of the ten species of albatross it is possible to see in the Southern Ocean.
Early in the afternoon a distant whale blow was seen and we altered course to obtain better views. Thanks to the skilful maneuvering of the officers on the bridge we were able to make a close approach to a small group of at least three sei whales.As I write this at the end of the day we were over half way to our destination - 659 nautical miles from Puerto Madryn with 648 nautical miles to go to King Haakon Bay in South Georgia.
