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