Auckland Islands - New Zealand

Enderby Island

Google Map Link

Enderby Island hike track link 

Taking zodiacs from the ship to shore

From the Snares, we continued sailing further south through the afternoon and night to arrive early the next morning at Enderby Island in the Auckland Islands group at about 51 degrees south.

We spent a glorious day on Enderby Island walking a 6+ mile circuit around the island. It is a small island in the archipelago and an Important Bird Area (IBA) completely free of all introduced predators.  The IBA status was conferred by BirdLife International for the breeding seabirds, and Auckland Island Shag, Teal, Rail, and Snipe.  All of them are unique species or subspecies.

On our hike we saw the Auckland Island teal and shag, the snipe, and many Yellow-eyed Penguins. The snipe is also known as the subantarctic snipe.

Most of the flowering plants still had at least a few in flower and some were in their full glory.

We got to experience the sun, the rain, and a whole lot of wind. The wind riding birds like the giant petrel and southern royal albatross were in their element.

We also spent time dancing around the New Zealand sea lions, especially tricky in the tussock grass where they could hide until we almost stepped on them. They are on the island to give birth and breed so are especially touchy right now. Our guides had to spend time fighting them off as the young males are especially aggressive.

The landing beach complete with many New Zealand (Hooker's) Sea Lions

A "wet" landing

The "Spirit of Enderby"

The "Spirit of Enderby" anchored offshore

Auckland Islands Shag

Auckland Islands Shag

Auckland Islands Shag

Auckland Islands Shag

Auckland Islands Teal

Australasian (New Zealand) Pipit

Australasian (New Zealand) Pipit

Brown Skua 

Double-banded Plover

Double-banded Plover

One of the "megaherb" flowers

Female Hooker's Sea Lion hiding in the tussock grass

sub-adult male Sea Lion (they are grouchy)

Rata Tree forest

Contemplating running the gauntlet back to the beach

Light-mantled Sooty Albatross

Light-mantled Sooty Albatross on nest

Light-mantled Sooty Albatross. Considered by many to be one of
the most elegant species on earth (I would agree).

Immature Northern Giant Petrel. A face only its mother could love...

Southern Royal Albatross

Southern Royal Albatross 

Yellow-eyed Penguin

Yellow-eyed Penguin

Yellow-eyed Penguin

Yellow-eyed Penguin

Yellow-eyed Penguin

Yellow-eyed Penguin

Yellow-eyed Penguin

Tomtit