In Search of Isbjørn.

[Bush Brat]

Brilliant pics of the birdies in flight!
6000 pics - an I thought my mom took a lot of pics (450 pics!)

[Mel]

I had actually read here on Saturday and typed a comment,
but lost it because I was on someone else's internet and got
kicked out when I hit submit (several times ).

Even the barren region looks really pretty and you comment
on the Getaway photo of the day had me in stitches!

Who would have thought that there are so many different plants
growing in the Arctic?! Really impressive.

What a beautiful setting for a braai! The sunshine makes it even more spectacular.

[Dewi]

Thank you Lisbeth, Toko, Pooky, Flutterby, Jillinflorida, Bush Brat & Mel.

Lis, they are super little birds. For a long time, they were a bogey bird for me in the UK. We sometimes get "wrecks" of them during bad weather and large numbers get blown inshore. Some have even been recorded falling down chimneys. When I finally caught up with them in this country, the birds were so close, my binoculars could not focus on them.

Toko, welcome back and glad you have managed to catch up. Almost on the last day out in the wilds, but some exiting sightings still to come.

Pooky, glad you are catching up and enjoying my ramblings.

Flutts, no one was daft enough to go swimming.

Jill, They were like squadrons of planes flying over.

BB, When I used to take film, it was too expensive to take so many pics. Digital means you can experiment on the fly and delete the ones that don't work out. I always have my camera set to continuous shooting.

Mel, The flowers were hard to find in some areas, but once you got your eye in, there were lots to find. The braai was very memorable and one of the highlights of the trip.

[Dewi]

Also fishing around the ship were some Black Guillemots and their chicks. The adult would dive for fish constantly, while the juvenile called out to be fed, but also dived every now and then. I never saw one feeding the chicks here, so wondered if maybe this was not such a good fishing spot for them?









I even managed an unusual bumshot. -O



The juvvie calling for food.



and with some nice light on the surface of the sea.



In the evening we sailed South down the West coast and after dinner the light was good so I went up onto the bridge deck to take photos of the Fulmars who were utilising the updraughts from the ship.







They came so close, I could have reached out and touched them as they sailed on by.



As the light got poorer, I noted some Puffins flying in towards land. Lis had asked for a photo of one prior to my leaving, but I was disappointed with the results.

[Jillinflorida]

The very close up one (2nd to last posted) It looks as if it has no feet at all. I realize they tuck them up, but never realized they disappeared from view completely.

Hmm, you said you have your camera set to continuous - I wonder if I have such a setting - and if I do, where would I find it? Perhaps that would avoid that annoying 'gap' between shots or my finger depressing the button causing the camera to move....

Coming to the end of your journey - sigh...what a fabulous experience (I know, I'm repeating myself) Can only imagine how hard it must have been to leave. Still we're not to the end yet so looking forward to more

[Mel]

A puffin is a puffin

Lovely shots and the bumshot is fabutastic!

[Richprins]

Love the iceberg formation....is it giving the world a 'salute'?

Brilliant, Jill! -O

Love the "bumshot", Dewi! -O

Who dared change the auk name!

Superenditious!

[Flutterby]

Just love the play of light on the water , and the bum shot is great!!

[Lisbeth]

The Black Guillemot is a lovely bird, with those red legs contrasting the black and white

Yes, the pic of the puffin is rather disappointing, but thanks for remembering

[PRWIN]

dewi