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| Campbell Island Teal. Thought to be extinct until rediscovered in 1975 |
We did another day of
separate activities. Susan decided on a six mile hike to the top of Mt. Honey
for 360 degree views of the island. First up though, was another life bird -- stunning
views of the Campbell Island Teal.
Making it even more special, it was shown to her zodiac boat by Rodney
Russ, the re-discoverer of what was thought to be an extinct species. Yes, this bird was thought to be extinct until
a few were discovered on an off shore islet in the 1970s. Very special. We saw the islet on our hike the previous day, and it was a small step-sided chunk of rock. We were impressed
that anyone would want to go there, and could get on and off it. The New Zealand government took the teal into
a captive breeding program and after the main Campbell Island was cleared of
predators reintroduced them. It is a stunning flightless duck.
Then up the mountain.
Most of it wasn't even a route just cross county where several new species of
flowering plants were found. A fun hike that
most years can’t even be attempted due to weather. The views from the top were impressive,
Campbell Island, a few islets, and a whole lot of empty ocean.
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| The top of Mt Honey is up there somewhere |
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| That tiny white dot way down there is our ship |
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| Susan on the top of Mt Honey |
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| The view from Lyall Col Saddle |
Bob headed up the
boardwalk to Col Lyall Saddle. This 4 mile round trip was entirely on a New Zealand Department of Conservation constructed boardwalk to a beautiful scenic overlook. Nesting Light-mantled Sooty and Southern Royal Albatross were the birds of the hike. The megaherb flowers and grand vistas along the way were incredible as well.
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| Calm water for the landing |
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| The route to Lyall Col on the ridge above |
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| Looking back toward the ship from the ridge |
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| The boardwalk |
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| Australasian (New Zealand) Pipit |
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| Australasian (New Zealand) Pipit |
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| Light-mantled Sooty Albatross |
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| Light-mantled Sooty Albatross |
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| Silvereye |
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| Southern Royal Albatross |
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| Southern Royal Albatross |
Back on the ship for lunch we started the long day and a half journey back to the southern main island port of Bluff. On the way back the seas were light to moderate and the pelagic bird and mammal photography was outstanding.
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| Black-bellied Storm-Petrel |
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| Buller's Albatross |
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| Black-browed (Campbell) Albatross |
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| Black-browed (Campbell) Albatross |
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| Black-browed (Campbell) Albatross |
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| Black-browed (Campbell) Albatross colony on the cliffs of Campbell Island |
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| Black-browed (Campbell) Albatross |
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| Black-browed (Campbell) Albatross |
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| Black-browed (Campbell) Albatross |
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| Cape Petrel |
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| Northern Royal Albatross |
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| Salvin's Albatross |
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| Southern Royal Albatross |
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| Southern Royal Albatross |
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| White-chinned Petrel |
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| Yellow-eyed Penguin |
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| Yellow-eyed Penguin |
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| Dusky Dolphin |
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| Dusky Dolphin |
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| Dusky Dolphin |
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| Dusky Dolphin |
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| Dusky Dolphin |
It was a stunning day with some sun and very little wind. These conditions are very rare this far south, and a great ending to our time on the sub-antarctic islands.
