10 Jan 2020

Wildlife Bonanza at The Snares

Rolling in harmony with the sea overnight, many aboard Akademik Shokalskiy woke having notched up their first authentic Southern Ocean experience as mist-shrouded archipelago The Snares loomed off the bow and seabirds wheeled around us, our ‘In the Wake of Scott & Shackleton' expedition to the Ross Sea well underway.

Facing gusty westerly and north-west winds, we found lee off North East Island and launched the Zodiacs, spotting our first endemic Snares Crested Penguins, our first penguins of the voyage, shortly after hitting the water. Dozens of the curious birds rafted and porpoised around our Zodiacs as we made our way to the craggy coastline where thousands more waited perched above swirling masses of kelp.

Exploring sea caves and Zodiac cruising the cliffs we were soon rewarded with views of Fern birds, Snares Tomtit, nesting Bullers Albatross, Antarctic Terns, Sooty Shearwaters and the rare sight of Giant Petrel feasting and fighting over a penguin carcass as New Zealand Seals watched our passing from their rocky recliners.

Several times inquisitive Hooker's/New Zealand Sea Lions approached our Zodiacs, swimming alongside us or darting underneath - their streamline silhouettes visible in the cool, clear water.

Image © I. Wilson, Heritage Expeditions