Some of my favourite things
I am writing this icy news from Bauer Bay hut on Macca's west coast after a great day looking for northern giant petrel (NGP) nests as a part of the NGP census. Today we had all sorts of Macca weather, including a generous amount of snow. We're in the middle of the NGP census now, and the island is getting busy. Wildlife is starting to arrive back to breed, and some of the more permanent residents have already been busy with their baby-making.
In August the wildlife team (including AAD biologist and PWS rangers) did the annual king penguin census of all king penguin colonies along the islands east coast. Now, between other monitoring tasks, we have been in chick counting mode, working through the photos we got during the census. While we have been out and about, the island has been sharing its magic ,and below are some of my favourite things about being here so far.
- The wildlife: it is incredible, and I feel like an alien here (and very lucky) watching them do life. So cool.
- The weather: I've never been somewhere where you can see massive fronts roll past and over you the way you can here. We have had some amazing days up on the plateau looking out to see HUGE clouds roll past, it is something else. The weather here can also humble you...constantly grateful for GoreTex.
- THE LIGHT: everyone’s sick of me saying this, but the extended golden hours are incredible. On the plateau, the ocean, the escarpment, it makes penguins look like they glow. I will never not be blown away by it.
- The smells: they punch you in the face. Best - giant petrel. Worst - rotting kelp.
- The unexpected skills I have acquired: including throwing myself forward into a dive when you feel a foot go into a wallow, to prevent full submersion, and unlocking your phone with your nose because you have gloves on.
Here’s some pictures of some of my favourite things.
Wildlife Ranger Liv
