Flock to Marion Again!

[Flutterby]

There were also a lot of whale and dolphin sightings. On the second day we saw a Sperm whale from our cabin balcony but my camera battery was charging so no pic.

This is a Sei Whale that we saw on the third day.

In this pic you can see the baleen in its mouth.

[Flutterby]

On our last day, we saw these Strap-toothed Beaked Whales.

[Flutterby]

[Lisbeth]

Strap-toothed Beaked Whales.

If you say so

Great to see whales, but not easy to get pics of more than a small piece

How big were they?

[Flutterby]

The Strap-toothed were dolphin size, the Sei whale was bigger, and the Sperm was quite a lot bigger.

Strap-toothed Beaked Whales.

If you say so

Only because someone else ID'd them for us!

[ExFmem]

One of the aspects of all your pics that really helps capture the atmosphere is the entire background is the sea, sometimes calm, others quite turbulent. Many pics of flying birds show coastline, or just sky, but this perspective really adds so much to such "exotic" (at least to me) birds. Just lovely and so evocative.

[Richprins]

Highly interesting, Flutts!

And whales to boot!

the islands look very mysterious...

Doesn't look like the sun helps much with the cold, or is it the wind that's the problem?

[Flutterby]

One of the aspects of all your pics that really helps capture the atmosphere is the entire background is the sea, sometimes calm, others quite turbulent. Many pics of flying birds show coastline, or just sky, but this perspective really adds so much to such "exotic" (at least to me) birds. Just lovely and so evocative.

Thank you so much Ex!

Highly interesting, Flutts!

And whales to boot!

the islands look very mysterious...

Doesn't look like the sun helps much with the cold, or is it the wind that's the problem?

The first day at the islands was sunny, but it was still freezing. The second day at the islands was overcast and windy, and it was even more freezing , so the sun did help a little bit.

[Flutterby]

On the last day of the cruise, Birdlife SA asked everyone to congregate on Deck 13 so that they could get a picture of all of us. I don't think this is everyone though...doesn't look like 1900 people.

Pic taken by Birdlife SA.

My pics.

[Flutterby]

That night, there was a final event held in the theatre.

Birdlife SA thanked the ship's crew and the Captain made a short speech.

All the bird/mammal experts were also thanked.