02-11 Hercules Bay

 

Macaroni Penguins
Macaroni Penguins

11th.February, South Georgia, Hercules Bay – Macaroni Penguins

A cruise along the coast of South Georgia, gave us great views of the dazzeling glaciated mountains under a deep blue sky. We passed Possession bay where Captain Cook first landed in 1775 at Prince Olav Harbour and claimed South Georgia for Great Britain. Our third and final landing of the day was then at Hercules Bay just North of Stromness to see Macaroni penguins. The ‘bay’ is a typical fjord with almost vertical sides. The Macaroni are very similar to Rock Hopper penguins having the same rock climbing ability, but are more brightly coloured. They are comical to watch as they hop up and down the cliffs from rock to rock. Some of their nesting terrain is very steep and slippery, so that one wonders how they manage it. For this reason a boat as well as a land excursion was necessary in order to be able to see their antics fully.

South Georgia East
South Georgia East

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