Birds and Icebergs

2005-11-26

Sailing has been smooth, sometimes ever so slightly rough, but rarely rocking violently. We're now about a night away from the Falklands, where we'll be stopping until Wednesday.

The good weather, and wind blowing over the back of the ship, gave us a good chance to photograph birds as they surfed the unseen currents around us. Usually you see them gliding inches above the surface of the sea, following the changing undulations of the waves with effortless twists and turns of their wings. When they want to show off, mocking our attachment to the earth, they shoot behind the boat, glide for a while along its edge, then veer off back to sea.

Capturing them on camera just takes a lot of patience, rubber legs to mirror the pitching of the ship and a pair of good gloves to keep the hands warm while leaning on the edge of the Heli deck away from the shelter of the superstructure. After an hour, and a bit of luck, a few good pictures emerge.

Bird swooping

Bird I

Bird II

Bird III

Bob's Bazooka