In November 2018, I embarked on a cruise-expedition to the Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand and Australia. I spent two weeks on a ship, hopping from island to island with like-minded people, watching birds and making photos. It was a true voyage of discovery for me, one I'll remember forever.
Below is an introduction to the subantarctic islands. Scroll down for the pictures ;)
The subantarctic islands (Snares, Auckland, Campbell, Antipodes, Bounty of New Zealand, Macquarie of Australia) are UNESCO World Heritage sites, recognized for the unique wildlife their isolation fostered. They were explored by Europeans during the 19th century, and used as sealing and whaling bases for several years, decimating mammal populations in the area.
Now they are more remote than ever, enjoying full protection, with no one living there anymore. As such, they are accessible only to a few priviledged ones, researchers or tourists traveling with permit-holding tour companies.
Geology in this region is fascinating. Some islands are of volcanic origins, others are old continental granite while one is sea floor risen by tectonic activity. Vegetation is varied, from daisy tree forests to tussock-covered plateau, with kelp omnipresent in tidal areas.
What attracted me to these places originally was birds. I've been passionate about birds since my childhood, and I've enjoyed seeing and photographing them around the world ever since. The subantarctic islands shelter some very unique species, of which many cannot be seen anywhere else. Snares, Erect-crested and Royal penguins nest only on some of these islands, Campbell is the main breeding ground for Southern royal albatrosses and they hold good numbers of fur seals and elephant seals.
One of the main threats these island face is introduced pests (rats, rabbits, stoats...), for life there has evolved without any land mammal. Rats and stoats eat seabird eggs and chicks, rabbits eat the vegetation; several ambitious pest eradication projects have been carried on and most islands, now pest-free, have seen a resurgence in native life. Campbell teals and snipes seem quite common on Campbell Island now that rats have disappeared.
However, life there still faces many challenges: albatrosses are caught in fishing lines, and global warming displaces fish populations, making it difficult for many penguins to feed their chicks.
Thus, it's important to raise awareness for this amazing region, and its protection. I hope my pictures can contribute.
More info: samuelbloch.weebly.com
Snares penguins and kelp
Race to the water!
Race to the shore!
Giant petrel nesting on the edge of the forest
Yellow-eyed penguin in a sea of green
Pipit sitting by a Bulbinella flower
Southern royal albatross take-off
Rockhoppers under the rain
Our ship in Carnley Harbour, on a very wet day
A mother Elephant seal, moulting
Young Elephant seals training
King penguin portrait
Royal penguins showing some affection
I'm a star
Half-chick, half-adult
Hungry boy
Seal reverie
The Beachmaster
Snow dusting over Macquarie Island
Albatross and a ray of light
Fluffy Campbell teal
Campbell shag portrait
Pensive Pipit
Can you see me?
Campbell Island view
Albatross alignment
Albatross and a view over Campbell Island, the main breeding ground for the species
Skull?
Fabulous Erect-crested penguin
A duo of penguins
Star of the day
A Rockhopper rockhopping at the Antipodes Islands
A fishing squad of Bounty shags
Tired fur seal
Salvin's albatross looking down at you
Fulmar prion in flight
A Salvin's albatross and the main breeding ground for the species, the Bounty Islands
A Buller's albatross looking for food
They see me rollin'...
Sunset shining on a young Wandering albatross
