King Penguins

Hi.
It has been quite a while since my last post on Albatross  It has been a busy time here on this magnificent island. We have had 13 tourist vessels visit Macquarie Island over the summer. The reaction from the tourists who come ashore at the station, Sandy Bay or a viewing from zodiacs off Lusitania is always the same. They are astounded by the wildlife.

Previously I have inserted the following text…..

"The little island is one of the wonder spots of the world. It is the great focus of the seal and bird life in the Australian sub-Antarctic regions, and is consequently of greater significance and importance in the economy of that great area than its small dimensions suggest"       Sir Douglas Mawson, 1919

As my time on the island is coming to an end, I will endeavour to complete some posts on the wildlife - starting with the King penguin

King penguins at Sandy Bay approximately 8 km south of the station on the East Coast

Albatross

     "A good south wind sprung up behind: The Albatross did follow"
                                              (From the Rime of The Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge)

There is nothing more special then to see a wandering albatross in effortless flight. On all voyages that I have been on the Aurora Australis, there has been albatross flying around and with the ship. I have spent so much time on the decks watching these magnificent birds.

They have the greatest wingspan of any bird - up to 3.4 metres (12ft ) - get a measuring tape and see how large that is). They can glide with the ocean winds for hours at a time without flapping their wings.
On the AA some followed us for days.

A couple of weeks ago, while on a boating trip down the east coast, their were a number of black browed albatross that flew silently over the calm ocean.

Black browed albatross just off Landing Beach (photo - Barend Becker)

Orca encounter

Hi,
Welcome back after the Christmas and New Year break. It has been an amazing few weeks here on Macquarie Island.

One of the many spectacular sights on the island is that of a killer whale (Orincus orca), commonly know as an orca. 

Just a couple of days ago I was on field trip (another story) with Clive (the doctor). We were walking back to station from Brothers Point hut, where we had spent the night. We walked along the east coast, sometimes on a grey/black sandy beach, then at other times over larger rocks and pebbles. Some parts of the route along the east coast are along some very rugged coast, usually the extension of a ridge off the escarpment right up to the waters edge.

It was as we were scrambling over some large boulders that we happened to glance out to sea. About 50 metres offshore a large dorsal fin broke through the crystal clear water.

Large male orca seen off the east coast on Monday the 7th of January 2014

The summer season has begun

"This little island is one of the wonder spots of the world. It is the great focus of the seal and bird life in the Australasian sub-Antarcti regions, and is consequently of far greater significance and importance in the economy of that great area then its small dimensions suggest."

Sir Douglas Mawson 1919

Hi.
Its been quite a while since my last post. We have been very busy here, with many ships visiting our shores and the arrival of a number of summer expeditioners to carry out important research on this wonderful bio-diverse island.

First of all I would Love to wish everyone a fantastic Christmas and festive season.

Have a Merry Christmas and wonderful New Year

Seven Days on an Island - Part 3

This is the third and final part of my amazing trip down island to the southern most hut at Hurd Point and then returning north back to station.

In the last post Seven Days on an Island - Part 2 Tony and I had arrived at Green Gorge after our walk from Waterfall Bay.

Arriving back at Green Gorge hut

It was still quite early, so after changing out of our wet gear, we had a relaxing time in the hut, enjoying the warmth of the small efficient heater and the comfort of dry clothes.

Seven Days on an Island - Part 2

In my last post - Seven Days on an Island Part 1 - we had journeyed the whole length of Macquarie Island, arriving at the comfortable and roomy Hurd Point hut.

Day 3 of our trip was a rest day at Hurd Point. After a hearty breakfast of toast (Tony baked a loaf of bread) we set off to explore our surroundings. Firstly I wandered around the beach just to the west of the hut. I couldn't believe the abundance and variety of wildlife.

Next door (just to the west) of the hut is a small royal penguin colony which provided a little noise overnight.

Small royal penguin colony right next door to the Hurd Point hut

Seven Days on an Island - Part 1

Spring is here the island is coming alive with wildlife. Next week we also see the arrival of the first ship of the summer season. The L'Astrolabe is due here next Friday, bringing 15 extra people to the island. Some of the new arrivals are scientists who will be working down island during the summer.

This has meant that current expeditioners have been trying to find time to make it down island themselves, as it will be more difficult once the summer program starts.

I took the opportunity to walk down island. I organised a seven day break, the field trip plan had been submitted and approved, my position on the fire and ERT ( Emergency Response Team) had been covered.  Comms tech Tony had also been given approval, so we were set to go.

The following is a mostly photographic journal of the trip.

After filling out the details of our intentions on the fire board (in the mess) and the comms board, we set off just after 11am on the first leg of our journey. We had only got 300 metres down the track when I realised had dropped my lens cap, so I re-traced my steps, but couldn't find it. In my room I found a plastic bag and rubber band which would offer interim protection for my lens.

I returned to the track and then Tony and I were on our way again. First task - climb up Gadgets Gully.

Heading up Gadgets Gully - king penguins are coming in droves to moult and breed

A Perfect Day for Boating

From the middle of September, the weather forecasts had been scrutinised everyday to find good conditions for boating. A number of important items had to be delivered or picked up from the huts down island. Then all the weather systems lined up to produce a day that was perfect for boating.

The evening of the 19th saw a very bright full moon. This was accompanied by light wind conditions and a mostly clear sky.

Photo experiment on a full moon night, after 10pm. This 25 second time exposure shows a clear night with the landscape lit up by moonlight and hundreds of stars visible

The beautiful, calm clear night was a prelude of the conditions for the next day.

Marine debris cleanup #2

On this small island in the vast expanse of the Southern Ocean, it never ceases to amaze me that so much rubbish is washed up on these beautiful coastline and beaches. Every expeditioner on Macca has a duty to pick up any bit of marine debris that they see.

In my last two posts A Walk in the Park Part 1 and Part 2 I took you on a journey down the west coast to be part of the Bauer Bay cleanup. In late August I teamed up with Clive and Chris to once again take part in the monthly Bauer Bay cleanup. As you will see we did this task and very much more.

The first picture is a the results in part of our combined efforts.

Clive and I at Bauer Bay hut with some of the marine debris that we picked up from the west coast

A Walk in the Park - Part 2

From the previous post A Walk in the Park - Part 1 Clive and I had arrived at Bauer Bay hut after an idyllic walk from station along the west coast in near perfect conditions.
After a great nights sleep in the hut. Chris baked the beautiful multi grain/seed loaf which we eagerly consumed for breakfast and morning tea.

After a relaxing morning we set upon the task at hand - the Bauer Bay cleanup of marine debris.

Gentoo penguins at Bauer Bay

A Walk in the Park - Part 1

Macquarie Island achieved World Heritage listing in 1997. It has been a privilege to be here and experience the wonderful nature, geology, wildlife and beauty of this place.

I have been lucky enough to venture down island on several occasions. The most recent time was 2 weeks ago when Clive the doctor and myself ventured down the west coast 'featherbed' to Bauer Bay to assist Chris the ranger in the monthly marine debris clean up.

Leaving station - the view down the east coast from the isthmus

The Deep Freeze

This post continues on from the previous two.
As mentioned in the last post The Fabulous Furious Fifties the weather systems zoom across Macquarie Island at a fast pace.

In the last week of July we experienced a sustained, very cold blast.
We are in the zone for extreme conditions. In saying this the temperatures on Macquarie island don't vary that much, because of the moderating effect of the surrounding ocean. On many days the 24 hour temperature variation is only in the order of 1°C to 2°C.

Looking south across Buckles Bay at the frozen landscape - a snow shower is moving in from the southwest 

The Fabulous Furious Fifties

My workplace on Macquarie is a 250 metre walk from Hasselborough House (accommodation). Before I leave, I look out my window to see what the weather is like. This, and a quick read of the days forecast, helps me decide what extra clothes or gear I should take for the walk to work.

My basic everyday attire is thermal underwear, thick long socks, Work pants (Hard Yakka), a T-shirt, beanie and full length gum boots. I also bring or wear my wind and rain proof gortex jacket.
Some days I need thick gloves, an extra layer or two of clothes and a torch.

The weather changes so quickly, so one should be prepared for every situation.

Last Friday, when I looked out the window I could see it was very windy - this made the short 250 metre walk very interesting. With my jacket fully zipped, so that only my eyes were exposed. The wind was that fierce - I was buffeted around and had work hard to keep on my feet. Also the sand blasted into the small exposed gaps in my 'armour' stinging my face.

Workmate Aaron, trying to measure the wind alongside Razorback Ridge

Winter has arrived

Last Saturday, we at Macquarie Island celebrated Mid-Winters day. This is one of the most important days on the Antarctic calendar. It is almost universally celebrated at all nations Antarctic communities.
It celebrates the winter solstice, which this year occurred at precisely 05:04 UTC on the 21st of June.

This post celebrates winter and the images reflect this theme.

Dreaming of the summer

Auroras and other photometeors...

The days are getting shorter. The sun is rising at around 0845 and setting just after 1600. It is fast approaching mid-winter's day. We at Macca will celebrate this important event in the Antarctic calendar on the 22nd of June. For those on my email list - I have sent out a invitation to join us.

A beautiful recent sunset

Boating Induction - Part 2 - Northward back to VJM

From the last post (Boating Induction - Part 1) we had just dropped off Chris, Josh and Dave at the beach just north of Brothers Point hut. As the weather and conditions were still ideal for boating, the plan was to travel northward back towards VJM.

Instead of taking the most direct route, it was decided to explore and practice manoeuvres inshore. We made our way slowly through the inshore kelp beds and rock stacks. It was an interesting perspective of the coast we walked along on day 3 of our field training.

Drifting in and out of the kelp covered rocky outcrops just north of Brothers Point

Boating Induction Part I

When we were still in Hobart we took part in a 4 day Boating Training which took place out at the AAD's boating facility at Kettering. This was covered in a previous post on this blog Antarctic Training Part 4 - Boating

It was time to put all that we learnt into place on Macquarie Island. This took place over 2 days.

View to the southwest from West Beach near the station

Field Training - Macca style

A Note before I proceed - This post (and some future posts) will feature more photographs then previous posts. Up until this afternoon I have taken just over 4000 pictures on my new camera, so it is hard to choose just a handful of photos for each post - I Hope You don't mind??

Three Macquarie shags flying south - a few days before we set off in the same direction on our field training

ANZAC Day...a time for reflection

ANZAC day is a special day on the Antarctic bases and this year was no exception. It was a special day here on Macquarie Island as 7 of the Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Project (MIPEP) are from New Zealand.

Each Station has its own way of honouring the spirit and reverence of ANZAC day.

Our day started at with a 0615 gathering in the mess. At 0625 we made our way in the misty drizzly dawn to the flag poles.

The day before, Tony the Communications technician had set up some weather proof speakers to the 2 outer flag poles, while before the ceremony a portable flood light had been set up to light up the flags.

We all gathered at the eastern side of the flag poles and silently watched as the Australian, New Zealand and Aboriginal flags were raised.

The flags being attached to the poles by the flag bearers - Josh Lionel and Patty

Typical Days at Macca....

 The days are becoming shorter as the sun makes it way northward.

 Everyone is settling in to Macca life, with most of us kept very busy at our jobs and various projects.

Beautiful sunset over Hasselborough Bay

One of the major projects on the island is the Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Project (MIPEP).This seven year project began in 2007. The aim of the project is to restore the islands biodiversity to a natural balance - to free itself of the impacts of introduced species. It is the worlds largest eradication project for three species at the one time.