17 Nov 2019

Penguins, Mollymawks and Sperm Whales

This morning started bright and early with a pre-breakfast Zodiac cruise of Musgrave Inlet - the obliging Rockhopper Penguins and beautiful morning light combined to create a photographer's dream.

After breakfast we cruised into Carnley Harbour and up the Western Arm for a walk and Zodiac cruise around the South West Cape of Auckland Island.

As the walkers made their way 200 metres up to perch above the White-capped Mollymawk colony and take in the flurry of activity below our other expeditioners Zodiac cruised along Adams Island spotting Auckland Island Teal, New Zealand Pipits and Red-crowned Parakeets and more.

The highlight of the day came later when we were joined by two pods of Sperm Whales as we were steaming our way to Macquarie Island. The magical encounter with 9 whales in one pod and 6 in the other, capped off an already brilliant day in the Subantarctic Islands.

Image © from file, C.Todd, Heritage Expeditions