Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) - South America and Antarctic Port of Call

Stepping ashore in any new place always gives me a thrill, but stepping ashore in such a remote location as the Falklands (in my rubber boots and red parka) was especially sweet. We landed on New Island next to an old wrecked ship, the Protector III, which was beached on New Island in 1969 after originally having been brought to the Falklands to use as a sealer. The birdwatchers in the group were immediately thrilled to see several interesting examples of the Falkland bird life, including Falkland steamer ducks, kelp geese, and Patagonian crested ducks. The two owners of New Island, Ian Strange and Tony Chater, greeted our intrepid group of explorers. They maintain the island as a wildlife preserve. After meeting our hosts, we then followed the path across the island to see the colonies of rockhopper penguins--our first look at wild penguins!

As we reached the crest of the hill, we could see the thousands of rockhoppers covering the craggy, rocky coast. The windy conditions didn't keep the parents from continually "hopping" down the rocks to the sea, swimming for food, and then "hopping" back up the rocks to feed their hungry young. What a spectacle it was! The penguins were so fast and graceful in the water and so hilarious, yet determined, on land. This rocky hilltop was such a wonderful first contact with the penguins and other birds. We couldn't decide where to look next.