Cock-a-doodle-doo

Wednesday November 1st 2023
South Georgia - Cruise Expedition Day 10 - Salisbury Plain and Fortuna Bay Penguins

am. Salisbury Plain.  Site of a very LARGE colony of King Penguins.  We landed well to one side so as to limit disturbance, nevertheless, there were several groups of Kings who, according to our guides, had moved apart from the main colony to moult.

We witnessed one king penguin being eaten alive by a giant petrel (GP).  We were too late to determine whether or not it was a healthy individual beforehand or had already become weakened / injured by something else.  It was rapidly joined by other GPs and brown skuas.

Other wildlife included: fur seals, elephant seals, dominican gulls, South Georgia pintails

Weather at the start was driving light snow but while ashore, the snow stopped.

Over lunch, the ship moved to Fortuna Bay.

pm.  At 2:30, the Zodiacs started a recce. Wind getting stronger. First passengers ashore after 3:30.  rough and wet landings. I, and others, opted to stay on board as nothing new here.  In fact the wind, which had been strengthening, eased off.  5:30pm, all back on board.  Brilliant views from on deck. Much orographic cloud around.  Raised anchor at 6pm

Images:
Main: Cock-a-doodle-doo, two kings in 'extra'