Time 08:27, 54 degrees 48.61' South, 68 degrees 17.83' West, dry with long sunny spells, Air Temperature 14 0C rising to 18 oC later, Water Temperature 9.3 oC, Wind South force 1-3
Today myself and some of the expedition team members when up to the glacier above Ushuaia. Following a taxi ride and chair lift we walked for over an hour to a height of 3,000 ft (900 metres). We did not find the glacier, which has been shrinking for a number of years but we did find some areas of deep snow at the top. There were a lot of walkers out on the mountain.
Flowers on the way to the glacier.
Iron stains rocks were everywhere on the mountain, originally deep sea sediments.
Iron stains rocks were everywhere on the mountain, originally deep sea sediments.
On our way up I way lucky to see an Andean Condor glide from one side of the valley to the other, well above the mountains. A huge bird that usually feeds on dead animals it finds while soaring over very high country. This was a bird I did not think I would see on my trip. I also saw my first butterfly of the trip, a small fritillary type butterfly, on the track down from the glacier.
Fritillary-like butterfly near the mountain path.
We also came across a number of unfamiliar plants in flower and fruit. Most we could not identify but did take photographs for identification at a later date.
Unidentified berrys on the lowers slopes of the mountain.
Water Forget-me-nots.
Unidentified flower.
Chocolate Plant - rub the flower and your hands will smell of chocolate!
The amazing pattern of the bark of Southern Beech trees which cover the lower slopes of the mountain above Ushuaia.
We are now heading out the Beagle Channel for our second last trip to Antarctica. Other members of the expedition team will be featuring in the blog over the next two weeks. Finally I hear through the grapevine that I got an honourable mention in the Cobh newsletter, glad the blog is of some use. Bye for now.
The Marco Polo being dwarfed by the Rotterdam at the quay at Ushuaia.
Many of the cruise liners I have seen here have also visited Cobh.
Wildlife seen around at the glacier above Ushuaia
and around Ushuaia
Mammals
none
Birds
Northern Giant Petrel 6
Magellanic penguin 20+
Imperial Shag 120+
Rock Shag 3
Black-faced Ibis 1
Upland Goose 2
Flying Steamer Duck 1
Andean Condor 1
Chimango Caracara 2
Chilean Skua 10+
Brown Skua 2
Kelp Gull 100+
Dolphin Gull 20+
South American Tern 100+
Grey-flanked Cinclodes 2
Thorn-tailed Rayadito 5+
Ochre-naped Ground Tyrant 4
White-crested Elaenia 3
Tufted Tit-tyrant 1
Chilean Swallow 5+
Southern House Wren 6+
Rufous-collared Sparrow 3
House Sparrow 20+
Black-chinned Siskin 6
Note: A + sign after the counts indicates that we saw at least that number but more may have been present.
3 comments:
Andean Condor must have been some sight. I can only imagine how big that must have been. Amazing. managed to connect with Rough-legged Buzzard yesterday near Kyoto. Fabulous bird. I hope the next trip down south will produce the goods for you.
Mark
Hello Jim,
Greetings from all in Rang a Cuig, Scoil Iosaef Naofa, Cobh! We've been tracking your trip since we've come back after the holidays! After seeing a the photo of Cape Horn we learned a sea shanty called 'Around Cape Horn We're Bound to Go'! We'll sing it for you when you get back! 60 pupils are taking part in the Winter Garden Bird Survey!
Tog go bog e!
Willie & Rang a Cuig.
Hi Jim,
I have been reading your wonderful posts each day and having been down to Antarctica in January, 2006it is great to be able to relive that time through your great description life down there.
Our dear friend, Sandra Coman is joining the Marco Polo in Ushuaia in the next day or so for the final trip down south. She too is from Australia and I hope you meet up with her.
Jennie
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