One-Year Ago (29-December-2014) — Elephant Island

Gone to See Antarctica 2014/2015. Hurtigruten Christmas Voyage on the MS Fram. Day 14: Elephant Island, South Shetland Islands.

Pair of Snowy Sheathbill’s  and a Chinstrap Penguin on Elephant Island. This was at the desolate beach on Point Wild where Ernest Shackleton’s crew survived for 4 months in 1916 while Shackelton managed to sail to South Georgia and ultimately assured their rescue. I assume that the Sheathbill’s (as well as the Penguins and Seals) would have been on the menu for the sailors during this time. Image taken with a Leica T camera and 18-56 mm lens (ISO 100, 56 mm, f/16, 1/500 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro, Focus Magic, and Photoshop CC.

Having spent only one hour on this desolate beach, it is amazing that the twenty some sailors/adventurers survived for 4+  months. This was only the 2nd time that the MS Fram was able to land passengers at this historic location.

Pair of Snowy Sheathbill's on Elephant Island. Image taken with a Leica T camera and 18-56 mm lens (ISO 100, 56 mm, f/16, 1/500 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro, Focus Magic, and Photoshop CC. (David J Mathre)
Pair of Snowy Sheathbill’s on Elephant Island. Image taken with a Leica T camera and 18-56 mm lens (ISO 100, 56 mm, f/16, 1/500 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro, Focus Magic, and Photoshop CC. (David J Mathre)
Chinstrap Penguin on Elephant Island. Image taken with a Leica T camera and 18-56 mm lens (ISO 100, 56 mm, f/16, 1/320 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro, Focus Magic, and Photoshop CC. (David J Mathre)
Chinstrap Penguin on Elephant Island. Image taken with a Leica T camera and 18-56 mm lens (ISO 100, 56 mm, f/16, 1/320 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro, Focus Magic, and Photoshop CC. (David J Mathre)
You Look Your Way, I'll Look My Way. Snowy Sheathbill and Chinstrap Penguin on Elephant Island. Image taken with a Leica T camera and 18 -56 mm lens (ISO 100, 55 mm, f/16. 1/500 sec) Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 8, Focus Magic, and Photoshop CC. (David J Mathre)
You Look Your Way, I’ll Look My Way. Snowy Sheathbill and Chinstrap Penguin on Elephant Island. Image taken with a Leica T camera and 18 -56 mm lens (ISO 100, 55 mm, f/16. 1/500 sec) Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 8, Focus Magic, and Photoshop CC. (David J Mathre)

Author: David Mathre

I am a scientist by training (Eckerd College, BSc; Caltech, Ph.D.). I worked for 27 years as a Chemist in the Pharmaceutical Industry developing processes to manufacture medicines for human and animal health. I now spend my time as a photographer and world traveler. My interests include the natural world, wildlife, landscapes, sky, and seascapes, travel, and astrophotography. I look for unique ways of viewing the world and presenting my images. I have traveled to over 55 countries in six continents, often on Semester at Sea voyages. While at home in New Jersey, I spend time on home renovation and expansion of a wildflower garden/meadow.

3 thoughts on “One-Year Ago (29-December-2014) — Elephant Island”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.