Nothing comes for free on Macca

The Wild Life

There is a saying on Macquarie Island. I don’t think the 78th ANARE invented it. In fact, after spending some time here, I’m fairly certain it’s a saying that has been passed down through generations.

                                              “Nothing comes for free on Macca”.

And that’s Macca – aka The Big Green Sponge – to a T. When I was first informed that I got a position here I was told by a former expeditioner “Macca – everything is uphill and into the wind”. Yes, it is. And the wind is usually peppered with hail-like snow.

I remember one day being on the west coast and being blasted by an easterly, right in the face. Only to go over to the east coast, hoping for some cover, and being blasted by a westerly. How? Hiking is tromping up a giant, boggy, often snow-covered mountain to get to the 'plateau'. Which is just another seemingly endless chain of smaller mountains and deeper bog holes. It’s a weird love / hate thing I’ve got going for this island. I hate the battles, but love the rewards. Rewards that include living in the heart of a wildlife documentary. Very special and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Lethal

Two adult fur seals pose on a rocky beach
A grey fur seal pup looks straight at the camera - it sits amongst green tussock
A black and white fluffy penguin chick with bright orange feet sits on front of its similarly coloured parent.
A group of about 25 black, white and yelloe king penguins stand together on a rocky beach.
A large battle-scarred tan and dark brown male elephant seal lies asleep on a snow and pebble covered beach with the ocean in the background.
Two very chubby silver and grey weaners lie side by side on pebble covered ground. They have their mouths open and look as though they are laughing.
A pair of Rock Hopper Penguins with bright yellow eyebrows and black and white colouring stand together in a small rock cave.
Two black and white Royal Penguins with pink beaks and feet and black and white colouring stand together in front of an elephant seal cow.
A chubby silver and dark grey weaner seal arches its head and tail upwards so that its back wrinkles up. It is looking towards the camera.
A smiling women and man wearing bright yellow jackets stand next to each other on a snow-covered landscape with many snow-capped peaks in the background.

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