19 Jan 2016

Sandy Bay Rush Hour

Today was more like the Macca I know best. Low cloud, fog, drizzle and 30kts of wind! Fortunately at Sandy Bay the swell was non-existent. We hit the black sand beach just after 0900hrs and as usual it was standing room only for us. The beach was full of life, action and the ordinary day to day activities of Macca residents right in your face. Cameras went wild!  Northern Giant Petrels devoured an injured Royal Penguin in minutes while young and old Elephant Seals huddled together in the wallows, alternately burping and farting. The more active animals fought mock battles preparing for the next mating season. This seasons pups looked like they just wanted a cuddle.

The Royals sat with their chicks, or were busy coming and going to their ocean supermarket for vital supplies. The Kings in their impressive rookery hid some new chicks under their feathers while others sat motionless moulting. Many were just out strolling along the beach in their stately manner and happy to inspect us close up. The Skuas just wanted to see if we were worth eating and were usually disappointed. We went back to the ship for a quick lunch then returned to the beach for a second round. You can never get enough of Sandy Bay and all were overloaded with pictures and memories by the time we decided to leave for dinner. But then it was all on again, as we ship cruised hundreds of thousands of King Penguins at Lusitania Bay. We had just wondered if it could get any better when Orcas started appearing around the ship, but we were now on a mission. The time had come to head south to Antarctica!