David's Images of the Day Photoblog
Gone to See Antarctica 2014/5 Day 6: Hurtigruten MS Fram visiting the Falkland Islands
The first place we stopped in the Falklands was Carcass Island. I was surprised to see palm trees this far south. It almost looks like the MS Fram was anchored off a Caribbean tropical island.
December Road Trip to Florida in 2011: Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
I stopped for a couple of days in Merritt Island, and spent the time at the National Wildlife Refuge. A target rich environment. These are a few images from that day — Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Wood Stork, Alligator, and Sunset. I especially liked the Great Blue Heron doing the “Chicken Dance”.
Backyard Winter Nature in New Jersey: Birds that Stay Through the Winter
White-throated sparrow eating a red berry, and in the grass. There are several of these small birds around the house all winter.
Gone to See Antarctica 2014/5 Day 5: At Sea on the Hurtigruten MS Fram Between Ushuaia and Falkland Islands
During the day we observed several types of seabirds (Southern Giant Petrel, Coast Petrel, and an Albatross). that seemed to follow the ship. I am not sure if they were hunting and using the ship’s wake to stir the fish, or if they were using air currents behind the ship to provide lift. We also had several dolphins show up on both sides of the ship. I have included a sequence of images of a Southern Giant Petrel that had trouble taking-off after landing in the ocean. These are really big birds and need a lot of wind to help them get airborne.
Gone to See Antarctica 2014/5 Day 4: Ushuaia, Argentina
After spending two days in Buenos Aires we flew to Ushuaia. This is known as the southern most city. The voyage to Antarctica on the MS Fram (Hurtigruten Line, Norwegian Flag) begins and ends in Ushuaia in Southern Argentina. You see a sign as you enter the port that loosely translated tells British pirates to stay away. Argentina does not allow British registered ships into the port if they have been to the Falklands Islands/Malvinas. During our voyage the Hurtigruten line was sold to a British investment group. They are going to have to be very careful to keep the ship registered in Norway to continue the voyages in and out of Ushuaia. Prior to embarking on the Hurtigruten MS Fram, we spent the morning touring the city, saw the Ocean Tramp anchored in the harbor, then spent the afternoon in Tierra del Fuego National Park.
