What a Privilege

Hydruga Rocks and Baileys Head – Jenny Varley

The last days have been all about Chinstraps.  Well, Chinstraps and bubble-feeding Humpbacks!  Yesterday we left our anchorage at Georges Point on the tip of Ronges Island and sailed through Wilhelmina Bay looking for Humpbacks.  There were not a lot around but we did find a group of five that were actively bubble-feeding, at one point coming so close to the boat that we all had to protect our camera lenses because of their blows!  Late in the
day we landed on Hydrurga Rocks, a rather special place.  The first thing special about it was the tiny protected inlet where we landed.  The second was the amazing iceberg which framed some of the Chinstraps as they came
ashore.

We sailed overnight towards Deception Island hoping for conditions to be favourable for a landing at Baily Head.  Landings here are often impossible because of the unpredictable swell even though from offshore conditions can
look very benign.  As we arrived the crew scanned the beach and judged the conditions to be good for a landing, and although we had to take great care we all landed safe and sound.  The landing offers so many opportunities for
photography but also for just sitting and taking in the whole visual, aural and olfactory experience.   A walk back from the beach leads to a ridge line where views of the amphitheatre of scenery and groups of Chinstrap Penguins takes your breath away.  The sight is stunning, and the sounds and smell of tens of thousands of penguins quite memorable.  This was the time to put the cameras down and just enjoy.  But not for long!   Back at the
beach there was a constant parade of penguins coming and going from the colony to the sea and it was hard to concentrate on what to watch!   Trying to photograph the penguins as they went off to feed and then returned
through the foam and surf was wonderful, and memory cards were filled very rapidly.  This excursion had been amazing and such a privilege, one which because of the sea conditions means that few landings here are possible.

To finish off a great day we anchored in Whaler’s Bay where some went ashore.  The shore party returned later in the evening and as we enjoyed another of Lucy’s delicious dinners we all saluted Ralph who had undertaken the Polar Plunge!.

Blog & Photo: Jenny Varley