January 29 - New Island, Falklands

Cruising into the harbor at New Island, Falklands

 Ruggedly beautiful and remote, New Island is located at the extreme west of the Falklands' archipelago.  Since 12996 the island has been owned and run by The New Island Conservation Trust.  Dramatic cliffs contrast with sheltered sandy bays and natural harbors.  New Island has a lartge3 concentration and great diversity of wildlife.  It is also one of the driest places with an annual rain fall of less than 16 inches.  Long used as a base for whaling, as a sheep farm and for occasional attempts to collect guano, New Island is considered by some to be one of the most beautiful islands in the Falklands archipelago.  Over forty species of birds breed on New Island, including four species of penguin.  Thin-billed prions are a highlight along with Skuas, striated caracara and peregrine falcons.  Marine mammals are also plentiful.  Peale's dolphins breed in inshore waters sea lions are often observed and fur seal colonies are found around the island.  The highlight is a large colony of Rockhopper penguins and black-browed albatrosses on the cliffs opposite the settlement on the western side of the island.

 Today will be our last ride in the zodiacs, and I might mention that all landings from zodiac are wet landings - that is, you go into the water and walk on shore!   It was really tough to get into the boats today because of the wind and high swells, but we did it!   It took three people to steady me - the crew here is awesome.  A very picturesque landing awaited us at the beach.

  

When we got to shore, we had a huge uphill hike before us.  John and Sandi had no trouble, but I rested a couple of times.   We were going up to see the Rockhopper penguins and all kinds of birds. The hillsides are very sparse without any kind of lush green growth.   No trees!    Lots of pampas grass and low growing scrub.  Rocks everywhere with pretty lichen growing on them, and the trail was a spongy peat which made for comfortable hiking.


  


The views at the top out to the ocean were spectacular, but the nesting birds and Rockhoppers took our breath away.   There were hundreds and hundreds of both, nesting in the cliffs going down to the beach.  Lots of noise from both, and a "I'm not the least bit interested in this orange jacketed species - so will just ignore them" attitude!

  
Difficult to see, but this rocky hillside is heavily dotted with nesting Rockhopper penguins and birds

Trying to see a good photo opportunity through the camera screen proved almost futile, because the position of the sun, polarized lenses, and old eyesight (without glasses!) prohibited.   However, with the "point, shoot and pray" application, this is one of my photo winners.




There's a little brown chick at the top of this photo - with Mama and Papa!



Have taken two Google images of Rockhopper penguins so that you can see their unique "hair-do's".

  





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