10 Jan 2016

Campbell Excursions

The weather has been kind to us so we managed a number of shore excursions during our two days around Campbell Island. Friday was spent along the Col Lyall boardwalk, a 3.5km walk amongst lots of nesting Southern Royal Albatross. It is only when you get close to these magnificent creatures that you can appreciate just how big they really are. It was extremely windy to take in the view from the top of Col Lyall, but well worth the effort as we were able to overlook the tempestuous western side of the island from an albatross perspective.

On Saturday there were two excursions on offer. Expeditioners could take a 12km hike or a more leisurely Zodiac cruise along the shoreline. The hiking party encountered rain, sun and hail as they followed a well marked circuit along the coast and clambered down to the beach. Here they met a very large Sea Lion guarding his territory and Expedition Leader Alex gallantly kept him away from the group which also had to negotiate their way around some huge Elephant Seals. A lunch stop was scheduled in a sheltered spot high on the cliffs where the group could enjoy the view and watch the albatross wheeling in the breeze and some Giant Petrel chicks stretching their wings. The last days of the voyage will be spent hearing lectures from the expedition team and sorting out the thousands of images captured during this special extended photography voyage.