This is a repeat of last year’s cruise along the
Magellan’s Straits with Patagonia Photo Safaris (http://www.patagoniaphotosafaris.com/fitz_roy_en.html). This is an incredible cruise with landings at
various islands along the route to photograph the wildlife as well as the
landscapes. It was worthwhile to repeat
this trip because a month difference makes a lot of differences as to what is
seen. Last year we sailed in late
February and saw Rock Hopper and King Penguins but this year in January, none
were seen, we were too early. However we
got to see the black-browed Albatross nesting colony, last year all the young
has grown and left the nests. These
birds are pretty amazing in their behavior and do not bother by the presence of
humans, so I had a great opportunity of capturing their images as seen below.
Birds such as Magellan
Penguins, Carancas (Kelp Goose) and the Skuas were found at the various islands
along the Strait; these were also are not afraid of humans; just like being in
the Galapagos.
The black-browed albatrosses had chicks in the nests and it appeared like the parents were holding long conversations with the siblings, about what? I do not know but I am sure that it was related to the young ones asking for more food. The adults also got involved in beak rubbing and feather nipping.
The mammals were the
same as last year’s, the elephant seals were molting their skins so they stayed
mostly on land throwing stones over their backs for protection against the
sun. The colonies of fur seals were full
of young and these were mostly sleeping and sucking the young ones.
The highlight of the
cruise this year was the humpback whale watching opportunities. We would board the 2 Zodiacs and follow the
whales during several occasions. One
afternoon we were following a group of about 5 whales and they were always
ahead of the Zodiacs maintaining a distance of about 50 feet. They would
submerge for about 10-15 minutes and when emerging they will purge their lungs
of air creating a mist of water and air with the most pungent smell; like that
of rotten sardines. The worst case of
halitosis I ever experienced…so if someone tells you have the breath of a whale,
take offense. When the whales dived, we
just stopped the engines and waited for them to surface again at a
distance. In one occasion, while we
waited, all of the sudden a whale surfaced just next to each of the Zodiac so
close that I could touch it with my hands.
They just paused and looked us over with that dark eye and continued
with the most delicate movement as not to cause waves to upset the boats or
getting us wet. This deliberate I am
convinced, as if they were telling us:
“Hey, it is time for us to watch you.” This was one of my greatest experiences
of a lifetime; as perhaps others in as you can see from their expressions.
And the landscapes are
awesome; the mountains, the glaciers the rivers and the skies. A million sights; which one to grab? The
weather was variable but as cold as last year’s and really not too rainy
either. It always great to hear the
cracking of the ice in the glaciers, it sounds like rifle shots. And the blues in the ice, not way a camera
can capture the real colors.
