A Rugged, Extreme & Beautiful Place...

Every day at Macquarie Island brings more wonderful things to see and do. This place is an amazing jewel in the Southern Ocean.

Over the last few weeks I have had the opportunity to explore further afield (beyond Station Limits) and some of the sights have been stunning and breathtaking. I feel privileged to have already seen some incredible flora, fauna and scenery.

Sunset from West Beach near station

Kelp gull in flight over West Beach

The GP two step - giant petrel taking a run up to take off

The 20th of March was the day of the Northward Equinox (at 1102 UTC to be precise). In the southern hemisphere this is the Autumn Equinox and is the Spring Equinox in the northern hemisphere. It occurs  when the tilt of the Earth's axis is inclined neither toward nor away from the Sun - the centre of the Sun being in the same plane as the Earth's Equator.

The word equinox (from Latin) translates to 'equal night' - so around this time there is equal day and night (all around the world).

Also around this time 23rd of March is World Meteorological Day and this years theme was 'Celebrating 50 Years of World Weather Watch'. 

The 23rd of March also marked the first anniversary of the passing of renowned and well respected Meteorologist Neil Adams. He was a work colleague and friend. His work on Antarctic forecast systems and computer modelling are second to none. His work for the Antarctic community is very much appreciated and has made it a much safer place.

23rd of March - Flags (ANARE, Austalian and WMO) flying at half mast in memory of Neil Adams 

Also on the 23rd of March we took part in Earth Hour, by turning all the station non-essential power off for 2 hours.

Craig performing his 'slushy' duties during Earth Hour

Aaron keeping us entertained during Earth Hour

We were now allowed to venture a short distance beyond extended station limits as long as we went with someone who had field experience or had been field trained. To do this we also had to carry our full survival pack and gear. One lunch time I was joined John, Josh and Tony on the 'loop' walk - up Gadgets Gully and back down via the Doctors track.

On the Loop track - moulting king penguin

Tony coming up Gadgets Gully - king penguin rookery visible at the bottom

Following John and Josh up the steep incline of Gadgets Gully

Some parts of the journey up Gadgets require rope and ladder assistance - the pipe up on the right  feeds water to the station

Small dam at the top of Gadgets Gully which is the stations water supply

Heading up into the cloud, just above the dam to the plateau 

Heading back down again along the Doctors track

The animal life around station never fails to astound me. The elephant seals are starting to thin out however many of the younger seals stay on the island.

Young elephant seal near the Met building 

Very late season king penguin chick - most likely to become a meal for skuas or giant petrels

The chicks and eggs spend time on the well insulated feet of the parents

A beautiful adult king penguin

A group of gentoo penguins heading down the track towards Landing Beach

One day I was fortunate enough to spot a pair of light-mantled sooty albatross with a chick up the slope from Gadgets Gully.

The king penguin colony at the bottom of Gadgets Gully

Light-mantled sooty albatross with fluffy chick above Gadgets Gully

A pair of light mantled sooty albatross with their chick on the slope above Gadgets Gully

The scenic views are always different with the ever changing weather and light. 

Interesting cloud pattern over and beyond North Head

View north along East Beach just north of Tractor Rock

Looking west through the gap in Razorback Ridge 

Most of the rocks on Macca are varying shades of grey - This rock (the size of a cricket ball) was a stand out

Steve (MIPEP) with Flynn (sp) one of the 11 working dogs on the island 

Another alluring feature of Macquarie Island is the weather, which can be quite extreme and wild as we lie in the Furious Fifties latitude band. In the short time we have been here we have experienced some of these ferocious conditions.

The effect of the squally 40 to 50 knot westerly winds after they have been funnelled through the gaps in the terrain  

Rainbow effect on sea spray caused by the squally westerly winds - eastern side of the island

Another day with the westerlies 45 to 55 knots gusting to the mid to high 60's - Chris the Tasmanian Parks and  Wildlife Services (TASPWS) Ranger heading down West Beach

The swell on this day was around 5 metres

The weather display inside the Mess

The winds and heavy seas and swell were noisy as well

Thanks again for reading and subscribing to my blog. The photos have been reduced in size for ease of posting.  If anyone has a requested topic or would like a larger version of a photo, please send me an email and I will see what I can do.

       "There is no such thing as bad weather, just a poor choice of clothing." 

                                                                                       (attributed to Billy Connolly)

Until next time.....