I Went To The Southern Ocean And Observed Penguins And Albatrosses.

In November 2018, I embarked on a cruise-expedition to the Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand and Australia. I spent two weeks on a ship, hopping from island to island with like-minded people, watching birds and making photos. It was a true voyage of discovery for me, one I’ll remember forever.

Below is an introduction to the subantarctic islands. Scroll down for the pictures ;)

The subantarctic islands (Snares, Auckland, Campbell, Antipodes, Bounty of New Zealand, Macquarie of Australia) are UNESCO World Heritage sites, recognized for the unique wildlife their isolation fostered. They were explored by Europeans during the 19th century, and used as sealing and whaling bases for several years, decimating mammal populations in the area.

Now they are more remote than ever, enjoying full protection, with no one living there anymore. As such, they are accessible only to a few priviledged ones, researchers or tourists traveling with permit-holding tour companies.

Geology in this region is fascinating. Some islands are of volcanic origins, others are old continental granite while one is sea floor risen by tectonic activity. Vegetation is varied, from daisy tree forests to tussock-covered plateau, with kelp omnipresent in tidal areas.

What attracted me to these places originally was birds. I’ve been passionate about birds since my childhood, and I’ve enjoyed seeing and photographing them around the world ever since. The subantarctic islands shelter some very unique species, of which many cannot be seen anywhere else. Snares, Erect-crested and Royal penguins nest only on some of these islands, Campbell is the main breeding ground for Southern royal albatrosses and they hold good numbers of fur seals and elephant seals.

One of the main threats these island face is introduced pests (rats, rabbits, stoats…), for life there has evolved without any land mammal. Rats and stoats eat seabird eggs and chicks, rabbits eat the vegetation; several ambitious pest eradication projects have been carried on and most islands, now pest-free, have seen a resurgence in native life. Campbell teals and snipes seem quite common on Campbell Island now that rats have disappeared.

However, life there still faces many challenges: albatrosses are caught in fishing lines, and global warming displaces fish populations, making it difficult for many penguins to feed their chicks.

Thus, it’s important to raise awareness for this amazing region, and its protection. I hope my pictures can contribute.

More info: samuelbloch.weebly.com

Snares penguins and kelp

Race to the water!

Race to the shore!

Giant petrel nesting on the edge of the forest

Yellow-eyed penguin in a sea of green

Pipit sitting by a Bulbinella flower

Southern royal albatross take-off

Rockhoppers under the rain

Our ship in Carnley Harbour, on a very wet day

A mother Elephant seal, moulting

Young Elephant seals training

King penguin portrait

Royal penguins showing some affection

I’m a star

Half-chick, half-adult

Hungry boy

Seal reverie

The Beachmaster

Snow dusting over Macquarie Island

Albatross and a ray of light

Fluffy Campbell teal

Campbell shag portrait

Pensive Pipit

Can you see me?

Campbell Island view

Albatross alignment

Albatross and a view over Campbell Island, the main breeding ground for the species

Skull?

Fabulous Erect-crested penguin

A duo of penguins

Star of the day

A Rockhopper rockhopping at the Antipodes Islands

A fishing squad of Bounty shags

Tired fur seal

Salvin’s albatross looking down at you

Fulmar prion in flight

A Salvin’s albatross and the main breeding ground for the species, the Bounty Islands

A Buller’s albatross looking for food

They see me rollin’…

Sunset shining on a young Wandering albatross

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