25 Nov 2019
Cruising the Bounty Islands
The weather beat us today as far as getting Zodiacs in the water at the Bounty Islands, but that didn't stop Spirit of Enderby getting in close enough to see the endemic Bounty Island Shag, the world's rarest.
Salvin's Albatross seemed to cover the sky with hundreds of birds wheeling overhead and rafts of 50 or so in the water around the ship. Erect-crested Penguins were also all around the ship as were the ever curious New Zealand Fur Seals. These islands might be windswept, wave-washed rocks but the wildlife they hold is remarkable.
As we headed off the continental shelf it was possible we saw a Chatham Islands Taiko/Magenta Petrel in the distance, but all had good views of the Grey-faced Petrels, White-chinned Petrels and Soft-plumaged Petrels.
"Beaked Whales" was the call as four Shepherd's Beaked Whales surfaced right in front of the ship showing those watching a close-up view of this rarely seen whale. Sperm Whales were also spotted as the sun set on another wildlife-packed day on our Birding Down Under expedition.
Image from file © M.Kelly, Heritage Expeditions
24 Nov 2019
We knew the weather was going to turn by mid-morning, so we steamed Spirit of Enderby towards Antipodes Islands ensuring enough time for a Zodiac c…READ MORE
22 Nov 2019
Our time at Campbell Island was a wet one, but that didn't stop our planned activities from going ahead. Winds blow more than 90-kilometres-per-hou…READ MORE
20 Nov 2019
Yesterday we woke to an Orca passing our anchorage in front of the Macquarie Island (or 'Macca' as it's known by the rangers living here) Station -…READ MORE
