Auckland Island , 11/26/2024, National Geographic Orion
Aboard the
National Geographic Orion
Antarctica
Today aboard National Geographic Orion we visited Auckland Island, a New Zealand subantarctic island 300 miles south of South Island, New Zealand. We cruised down the east coast and into Carnley Harbor. We had excellent views of light-mantled albatross and thousands of sooty shearwaters.
In the afternoon we took to the Zodiacs for close views of the endemic Auckland Island shag. What a great day!
Brett is a photographer, marine biologist, and educator from California. He is happiest underwater with camera in hand working to inspire marine conservation. He has worked and traveled extensively throughout the Americas, Asia, Oceania, and the Midd...
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Following a very successful day of landings on Macquarie Island yesterday, National Geographic Orion has begun its journey north to Stewart Island. Excitement from yesterday’s sightings of elephant seals, king penguins, royal penguins, and even killer whales filled today’s conversations. This morning, Luke Gadd (Department of Conservation Observer) presented on his first-hand involvement in the conservation program on Macquarie. The program has led to the successful population recovery of many of the penguin and other seabird species that were at risk due to introduced rats, mice, and rabbits only a decade ago. Guests had a wonderful day watching seabirds and attending presentations by Naturalists Mada Patacha, Gus Anning, and Connor Ryan, and this evening the crew treated guests to live music and dancing following dinner.
After a couple of days at sea, the sheltered and forest-lined shores of Paterson Inlet made for a dramatic change of scenery this morning. The winds were slack, making our Zodiac rides ashore all the more pleasant. The pest-free Isle of Ulva provided a cacophony of native bird song and the temperate rainforest plants and lichens made for a kaleidoscope of reds (rata flower), greens (ferns) and yellows (lichens).
With following seas and a clear horizon, it was a superb day for sea-watching from the outer decks. Keen birders gathered on the bow to get rare close-up views of highly pelagic seabirds. The bird theme continued when, at sunset, we witnessed an astonishing abundance of sooty shearwaters as they readied themselves for their nightly return to land on the Snares Islands (all two million of them!).
