West Point Island
A short boat journey from Carcass saw us arrive at West Point Island, another place that we had visited on our Antarctic cruise 10 years previously. Much of the pleasure of sea journeys out here are the accompanying birds, most especially the black-browed albatross here.
With just two other guests, this time we would have the island much more to ourselves. A short Landrover ride up the hill saw us at the main albatross colony. As this was the first big colony we had encountered on the trip, the sensation were rather overwhelming. The colony is large and falls down a slope towards the sea. Ironically, for photography purposes you often feel too close! Shooting from the edge of a colony is always challenging as everything is very cluttered and the best views often obstructed.
This Black-Browed Albatross came into land on the tussock grass right next to us while we were taking pictures.
The birds spend a great deal of time performing courtship displays.
Tucked amongst the albatross were a number of rockhopper penguins, the two species seemingly co-existing without trouble most of the time.
However, whatever the antics of the rockhoppers, the black-browed albatross on this occasion were the stars of the show, with matinee-idol appearances.
Many birds were sat on eggs, including one that steadily hatched as we watched throughout the morning. A few chicks were a day or two older and were being fed a diet of regurgitated squid by an attentive parent.
This chick hatched in front of us as we watched.
All in all it was an amazing day - the albatross never disappoint.