15 Jan 2024

Amongst the snow-capped mountains of Macquarie Island

Our In the Wake of Scott & Shackleton voyage was well and truly underway as we were greeted by fresh snow on the mountaintops of Macquarie Island. We headed ashore in Zodiacs with a stiff breeze, passing through a narrow gap in the bull kelp to land on a boulder-strewn beach at the Isthmus.

The wind at the viewing platform on Razorback Ridge encouraged a constant stream of fly-bys from Giant Petrels, Skuas and Light-mantled Sooty Albatross. On the beach far below, the Elephant Seals seemed energised by the frigid wind, growling and roaring, flopping over each other and mock-fighting like giant caterpillars.

Over on the western coast, surf pounded the rocky reefs, as we observed wildlife in its natural habitat. The endemic blue-eyed Macquarie Island Shags shuttled back and forth to a rocky islet just offshore to feed their half-grown chicks. On the beach, a young seal pup waited for its foraging mother to return. And we added yet another penguin to our list; observing a dozen Gentoo Penguins loafing above the surf.

A series of snow flurries briefly whipped the sea into a frenzy and just as quickly blew through. We witnessed some research in action at midday, when the Research Station staff released the daily weather balloon, which surged up turbulently into low cloud before disappearing seaward. A very invigorating day!

Images © F. Wardle, Heritage Expeditions