During
lunch on February 10, the ship sailed to West Point Island. The
island is on the northwest side of West Falkland and is owned by
Roddy and Lil Napier.We anchored outside Settlement Harbour and
walked across to the windward side.
The windward side is truly spectacular. We were perched near very
high cliffs which made for great viewing of the albatrosses as they
soared over our heads.
The
loop trail led us through tussock grass right along the edge of
the colony for some extreme close-up views of the mixed colony of
rockhopper penguins and black-browed albatross.
We watched as the albatross adults flew in to their nests to feed
their chicks.
There
are about 3500 pairs of rockhopper penguins that nest on West Point
Island. It was difficult walking through the tussock grass mounds,
rocks and mud but well worth the effort to get so close to the nests.
Some of the group, including Fred on the far left of the photo,
walked out to the Devil's Nose outcrop for more views of the ancient
seaside cliffs. Afterwards
we enjoyed another traditional farmhouse tea before returning to
the ship.
For more photos of West Point Island, go to West
Point Island Photo Gallery. To read about the next location
visited, go to New Island
- Settlement Harbour.
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