Atlantic Odyssey - At sea to South Georgia

2nd April 2026

The start of several sea days heading to South Georgia. 

Light-mantled Albatross

Northern Giant Petrel

The photo below is, I think, of an adult Snowy Albatross Diomedea [exulans] exulans. It could be a 3rd cycle male but i've opted for an adult female due to the presence of a dark cap and some dark feathers within the rump area. There was some discussion on whether it showed features of 'Antipodean' Diomedea [exulans] antipodensis. 

Adult Snowy Albatross, likely a younger adult female

Southern Giant Petrel with a 1st cycle Black-browed Albatross

Snowy Albatross, probably a mature adult male

Snowy Albatross, likely a younger adult male

Snowy Albatross

Snowy Albatross

Southern Royal Albatross

Black-browed Albatross

Black-browed Albatross

White-chinned Petrel

White-chinned Petrel

Southern Fulmar

Southern Fulmar

2nd cycle male Snowy Albatross

Snowy Albatross

Grey-headed Albatross

Grey-headed Albatross

Grey-headed Albatross

Atlantic Odyssey - Ushuaia and the Beagle Channel

 1st April 2026

The expedition cruise starts today. Main bags are to be dropped off near the port entrance around midday and then there are a couple of hours to kill before passengers can start to board. The departure time had been brought forward from the original plan to give us a chance of seeing whales that were in the Beagle Channel on our way to the South Atlantic. I spent the time in a lovely coffee and souvenir shop and after a Latte and portion of chocolate cake in the pouring rain made my way to the passenger entrance of the terminal.

Oceanwide expedition ship MV Hondius

Fuegian Steamer Duck in the harbour

War memorial to the fallen Argentinian Military

Argentina stating their legitimate sovereignty over the Falklands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

Leaving Ushuaia - snowfall overnight

Beagle Channel

Champagne welcome

The media attention, misinformation, hype and intrusion in to the homes and families of those onboard because of the hantavirus outbreak, has meant that I've blurred the features of these people in the photo.

The Beagle Channel held hundreds of Black-browed Albatross and thousands of Sooty Shearwaters.

Black-browed Albatross and Sooty Shearwater

 

Black-browed Albatross

Black-browed Albatross

Black-browed Albatross

Chilean Skua

Sooty Shearwater

A distant gathering of Giant Petrels drew attention to a dead whale on which they were feeding.

Giant Petrels feeding on dead whale

Adult and juvenile Magellanic Penguins

Hauled out South American Fur Seals

Atlantic Odyssey - Ushuaia

The MV Hondius left Tenerife yesterday and is now on its way to Rotterdam to be fumigated. Whilst there are some guests that have subsequently shown Hantavirus symptoms, folks I know from the ship are all ok which is a great relief. Plus, my amazing sister and brother-in-law have managed to collect my car from Purple Parking at Heathrow as I was being charged £20 a day. Today is day three of my self-isolation at the NHS centre at Arrowe Park, all good so far and none of the Brits here have shown signs of any Hantavirus symptoms. The NHS team are great and we are being well looked after.

31st March 2026

Today I took the hotel transport in to Ushuaia town and then took a longer and pleasant walk back along the shoreline to the hotel. 

The MV Hondius was alongside the quay and about 20 Southern Giant Petrels were in the harbour along with a few South American Terns. The Black Skimmer was still at the same location as yesterday.

Brown-hooded Gulls

Buff-winged Cinclodes

Buff-winged Cinclodes

Crested Duck

Dark-bellied Cinclodes

Dark-bellied Cinclodes

Dolphin Gull

Long-tailed Meadowlark

Long-tailed Meadowlark

Night Heron

South American Tern

South American Tern

Southern Giant Petrel

Southern Giant Petrel

Southern Lapwing