Our first stop was in the Jason Islands in the extreme northwest of The Falklands. Steeple Jason is a small island in the archipelago, which can only seldom be visited as it is a difficult landing and needs very calm seas. We were lucky enough to have such conditions.
We arrive pre-dawn.
Landings are by zodiac..
...and a scramble up slippery rocks is required. Not possible for all on board, but the crew did an excellent job laying down mats and towels and generally assisting.
The island hosts a large colony of Gentoo penguins..
...constantly watched over buy caracanas hoping for an opportunistic meal.
The big attraction though is the black browed albatross colony - the largest in the world - with tens of thousands of birds. It was about a kilometre walk from the landing point to the colony. That pale rocky-looking expanse all around the shoreline is the colony.
We made our way through tall tussock grass..
..and there they were, thousands of well advanced chicks on pedestal nests made of mud and guano.
Lots and lots of photos taken, here are just a few.
Exercising wings was important...
...as was getting a feed from mum and dad.
On the other side of the isthmus was a colony of sea lions, but it was strictly "keep your distance"
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