Early morning landing at Salisbury Plain on South Georgia Island. Salisbury Plain is the second largest King Penguin colony on the island. In complete contrast to St Andrew’s, the Plain is free of snow, and is dominated by the King’s. Relatively few fur seals are present, those that are there are resting in the sun-lit tussac. Thousands upon thousands of penguins extend up the hill-side, and like St Andrew’s, there are still eggs to be hatched, some very young chicks, young oakum boys, fledging juveniles, and moulting adults. We are the last ship in the area for the summer season. The King Penguins seem to know this, and if you stand still, they will gather around and inspect you closely. The fur seals on the other hand, seem happy to see us leave their beaches!
King Penguin colony at Salisbury Plain, South GeorgiaKing Penguin colony at Salisbury Plain, South GeorgiaExpedition ship passengers among King Penguins at Salisbury Plain, South Georgia IslandThree King Penguins at Salisbury Plain, South Georgia IslandExpedition ship passengers among King Penguins at Salisbury Plain, South Georgia IslandKing Penguins with chicks at Salisbury Plan, South GeorgiaZodiac driver with curious King Penguins, Salisbury Plain, South GeorgiaKing Penguin colony at Salisbury Plain, South GeorgiaRetreating glacier, South GeorigaKing Penguins with chicks at Salisbury Plan, South GeorgiaAntarctic Skua, Salisbury Plain, South Georgia IslandFemale Antarctic Fur Seal, Salisbury Plain, South Georgia IslandFemale Antarctic Fur Seal with pup on tussac, Salisbury Plain, South Georgia IslandAntarctic Fur seal pup, Salisbury Plain, South Georgia Island
South Georgia Pipit, Prion Island, South GeorgiaAdult Wandering Albatross, Prion Island, South GeorgiaAdult Wandering Albatrosses, Prion Island, South GeorgiaAdult Royal Albatross with chick on nest, Prion Island, South GeorgiaAdult Wandering Albatross, Prion Island, South GeorgiaSouth Georgia Pipit, Prion Island, South GeorgiaBlond or gold morph Antarctic Fur Seal pup, Prion Island, South Georgia
After a short visit to Possession Bay, the location where Captain Cook claimed South Georgia for King George III, we set sail for Tristan da Cunha, another four days of open ocean ahead of us.
