14 Aug 2017

SHO: Laptev Walrus Haulout

We have crossed the Laptev Strait, as we left the New Siberian Islands we had easterly wind, helping us along. The wind dropped and the sun came out yesterday and we enjoyed one of those rare Arctic Days with blue skies and no wind. Bird life increased as we went further west. We made landfall on the Taimyr Peninsula at Pronchisctheva Bay late last night. We planned an early morning landing today, which was postponed 1 hour because of heavy fog. When the weather cleared we went in search of the Laptev Walrus, which we had seen a few of last night as we came to anchor. We found a haulout of about 80 animals (a mixed age and sex group) and we watched and photographed them for about forty minutes before crossing the bay to watch a female Polar Bear and her (well grown) cub. The Laptev Walrus was a highlight for many of us who have seen and photographed both the Atlantic and Pacific Walrus. We felt they certainly looked different (more like the Atlantic animals), they certainly behaved differently, but we understand that geneticists might disagree. Our journey now continues towards Vilkitski Strait and the Kara Sea.