Comms tech officer Nelson Clegg reflects on his final stretch as a Macquarie Island expeditioner.

Not yet my last field trip...

On my most recent outing down island I found myself trudging through shin-deep snow on the Plateau – something I have not experienced for a number of months now. With the days getting shorter, auroras appearing in the night sky (at reasonable hours) and much of the wildlife finishing their moult, a change of season is upon us.

For us, the last of the 76th ANARE still at our adopted home of Macquarie Island, this means our time is coming to an end. Most are planning or have recently partaken in their final field trips and our attention is turning to preparing the station for re-supply and hand-over.  

Nelson Clegg - CTO 

Snow-capped ridge in the background, Macquarie island station buildings in the foreground.
A big round elephant seal looks at the camera
A massive elephant seal opens its mouth to bellow, with two buildings in the background.
A huge crowd of king penguins with bright yellow chests.
Five king penguins stand on a rock in the bay
two people walk up a slope with snow-covered hills in the background
two penguins stand on a rock, with a rocky beach and blue sea behind them
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