The approaching storm really affected our plans. We would only be able to be moored outside the Marion Island for less than an hour.
It was very disappointing, but it was still a wonderful prospect.
The ship had made its way east and then south to approach the IBA from an eastern direction. It was really great to follow our progress on the Birdlasser map.
We arrived at our mooring spot just before 16h00. The announcement came that we could look off the Starboard side towards the spot where Marion Island was supposed to be. It seems the approaching storm had sent some clouds in advance, and we could not see Marion Island at all.
It was a huge disappointment. Everyone had been looking forward this this so much, but the views we wanted were not to be. The birds must have sensed our disappointment, because they continued to entertain in the most spectacular way.
Of course the Wandering Albatrosses I adored so much led the way.
At the risk of repeating myself over and over again, I remain in awe of these remarkable, beautiful, phenomenal birds. I took too many photos of them on Albatross Thursday, and the rest of the photos are HERE.
I stood up on the 13th deck of the ship. One Wandering Albatross flew past so low and close, I felt as if I could stroke it.
The Giant Petrels also seemed to be enjoying the weather. The first to appear was a Southern Giant Petrel.
The Subantarctic Skua was not to be left out.
One of them found a little snack.
It quickly gobbled it up and then took off.
One of the guides mentioned that we should look at the change in the behaviour of the Prions. The Salvin’s Prions were flying about quite normally, but as soon as the Skua arrived their flight pattern became a lot more agitated. This is apparently due to the fact that they know the Skua can grab them from the air.
There were quite a few Northern Giant Petrels around.
I really love their pretty eyes.
I really love the running starts they took when taking off from the water.
Then we got a really cool little show from the birds. There must have been something tasty, because all of a sudden everyone turned up.
It started with a few Northern Giant Petrels squabbling over whatever it was they wanted to eat.
A pair of Wandering Albatrosses also got in the mix.
The Northern Giant Petrels could not let them have their snack in peace.
I love these photos where there are multiple species in one frame.
It had been such a wonderful little display of the interaction between the species. It was a great way to spend our time off Marion Island.
The weather deteriorated again. I moved to the little side deck on our level and met up with my travelling companion and other birders. The wind was blowing up spray from the ocean. There was a small ray of sunshine trying to peek through the clouds, and every time the spray was caught in the sun it created a little rainbow. It was incredibly beautiful.
I managed to catch the creation of the rainbow in a little video.
After less than an hour the ship started moving. The storm was approaching fast and we had to get ahead of it. Extreme winds has been predicted for the evening.
In the gloom of the early evening I saw another Wandering Albatross out on the ocean. He was not close, but this photo is one of my favourites.
I took a video of the stormy ocean. And all of a sudden another Wandering Albatross appeared. It was magical.
We headed inside for dinner. Just as we were about to leave the restaurant there was an announcement that most of the viewing decks will be closed until further notice. The wind speeds had apparently reached 90-100km/hr!
I had another early night. And as I got into bed there was a further announcement that most of the lifts would be closed due to the wind. I was once again astonished at just how stable the ship was – the wind may have been crazy outside but inside it was not that unstable.
I thought back on the day we had just experienced. We had reached our long awaited destination, but we were unable to lay eyes on it. That was incredibly unfortunate. But the birds, especially the Albatrosses had made up for it. In the most spectacular manner possible.