Carcass Island - Falklands

After a morning at West Point Island, we had lunch on board the Ocean Nova as it motored over to nearby Carcass Island. We landed on a very nice beach that had a smattering of wildlife, and then walked several hundred yards to the other side of the island where there were several thousand penguins (which seemed like a lot ... stay tuned!) on a picturesque sandy beach. After spending several hours there, we zodaic'ed over to another Falkland Island single family settlement and had fantastic afternoon tea & crumpets provided by the sole residents, Rob and Lorraine McGill.

Zodiac Landing (Ocean Nova in the background) at Carcass Island - Falklands

Greg Pierce hiked up to take this picturesque picture of the Carcass Island beach landing

Isaac got a wider-angle view ... McGill homestead can be seen at the top left of the Bay

A pair of Magellanic Penguins - mouseover image for another view

Magellanic Penguin looks out near its burrow

I hooked up my wireless remote to my Canon 40D and placed it near the burrow

Once I walked away, the Magellanic Penguins pretty much ignored it

The ultra-wide lens provides an interesting very close-up perspective

I snapped this picture of me with a hugenormous Magellanic Penguin of Carcass Island! ;-)

There were also some Gentoo Penguins on Carcass Island

While people were watching some Gentoo's in the surf, another group came down to the beach

Pewan took this nifty picture on the sandy beach

Glen getting some close-up pictures as they trot on by

I had also seen Upland Goose's at Terra Del Fuego Park

Another Upland Goose pecking on the seaweed

A Skua nesting on Carcass Island - they make a loud racket - mouseover image for another view

As the first group of passengers walked across the island to the beach on the other side, they spotted an Owl that was "hiding" in the tall grass. Everyone stopped to see it and take pictures, including me, even thought I knew they wouldn't be any good since the Owl was so well camouflaged. So after a while, everyone moved on ... except my friend Carol Monaco (check out her web site!) who set up her tripod and waited ... and waited ... and then was rewarded with this awesome picture of the Owl as it emerged from the grass and then flew away - WOW!!!
Mouseover image to see my lousy picture of the well hidden owl! ;-)

An immature Night Heron flying low by the McGill house

Roldan was serious about making some fantastic pastries ... and had a great smile!

Lorraine McGill was a gracious hostess and also provides B&B accomodations

Yes, the McGill's put out quite the spread!

Stephanie interviewing Johnnie Shackers for Outside Magazine story on the Falklands

Hotel Manager Rene saw this pair of Dolphins by the Zodiac as we returned to the Ocean Nova

Lorraine McGill sent this picture of a 50+ foot long Sei Whale - mouseover image for closer view of bite marks

I didn't eat much dinner onboard the ship that night since I had filled up on crumpets - these were were especially yummy for me because I usually don't eat them as my kids have Celiac Disease. After dinner, the ship pulled anchor and set course to the capitol city of the Falklands - Port Stanley.

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