Falkland Islands Wildlife Photography Trip – February 2018 (7 or 14 days)
The Falkland Islands located in the South Atlantic Ocean off South America are the perfect destination to experience the wonders of nature and wildlife; an unpolluted environment with fantastically clear blue skies, seamless horizons, vast open spaces and stunning white sand beaches. Wildlife is free to roam and many species have chosen the Islands as their home including gentoo and magellanic penguins, southern sea lions, Commerson’s and Peale’s dolphins and over 200 species of birds.
Bleaker island (Magellenic penguins, rock hoppers, cormorants)
Carcass Island (Elephant seals, gentoo penguins, magellenic penguins, rock hoppers, sea lions, birds of prey)
Expedition Highlights
- Boutique tour group – Maximum 5 people.
- Unique up close and personal wildlife viewing including visits to penguin and seal colonies, bird watching opportunities and experiencing the natural beauty of the Islands.
- Expert photographic advice from award-winning wildlife and nature photographers.
Dates: 10 February to 24 February 2018
Duration: 7 or 14 days
Start: Santiago or Punta Arenas, Chile
Finish: Santiago or Punta Arenas, Chile
Included: Internal flights (Falklands), accommodation (14 days), all meals, expert award winning wildlife and nature photographers as guides/hosts.
Excluded: Overnight Accommodation Santiago prior to tour, Excess baggage costs on local flights
Your Hosts
Scott Portelli is a Sydney based photographer who has traveled the world extensively photographing in some of the most remote destinations, including The Arctic, Antarctica, Falklands, Galapagos, Azores, Africa and the South Pacific.
Scott is an award winning wildlife, nature, aerial and underwater photographer. A member of the Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP) he is regarded as a leading professional in his field.
In 2016 he was announced National winner of the Sony World Photography awards and in the same year awarded at the prestigious wildlife photographer of the year. He was recently awarded at the National Geographic Nature Photographer of the year, receiving an honorable mention.
With his experience in the Sub-Antarctic and Antarctic regions, he brings a wealth of knowledge to every expedition and ensures that each trip optimizes photographers chances to capture the best that the wildlife in the region has to offer. He teams up with one of the most accomplished wildlife and nature photographers in Australia, David Stowe, to bring you an intimate experience in this amazing destination.
David Stowe is a Sydney based professional photographer with over 20 years experience photographing people and wildlife.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Saunders Island
Day 2 – Saunders Island
Day 3 – Saunders Island
Saunders Islands was the site of the first British settlement in the Falkland archipelago. The island is now one large farm of about 30,000 acres and is well known for its sizeable colony of Black browed albatross in addition to being home to elephant seals, king penguin and rock hoppers. The North of the Island is made up of two large peaks and it is the thin strip of land between these peaks known as ‘the Neck’ which is home to large colonies of Magellanic and Gentoo penguins.
Day 4 – Bleaker Island
Bleaker Island is home to 3 species of penguin, a large imperial cormorant colony, southern giant petrels, many smaller birds, a variety of waterfowl on the ponds and is one of the few places where the rare flying steamer duck can be observed. Marine mammals such as southern sea lions and dolphins are often seen in the area. The settlement is situated in the middle of the island and still operates as a cattle and sheep farm.
Day 5 – Bleaker Island
Day 6 – Carcass Island
Carcass Island is a haven for small bird species including Cobb’s wren, striated caracaras (known locally as “Johnny Rooks”), white bridled finches and short-eared owls. Elephant seals bask on the northern beaches, magellanic penguins reside close to the settlement, gentoo penguins and other marine mammals inhabit the southern end of the island. The scenery is varied with beautiful white sandy beaches, tussac paddocks, rocky hills and clifftops.
Day 7 – Carcass Island
Day 8 – Carcass Island
Day 9 – Sea Lion Island
Sea Lion Island is home to elephant seals, gentoo penguins, magellenic penguins, rock hoppers, sea lions, birds of prey and cormorants. Beautiful tussac plantations cover one fifth of the island and provide a perfect habitat and protection for much of the island’s varied fauna. Opportunities for photography and wildlife watching are limitless and start literally steps away from the purpose-built Lodge. Besides the tussac, there are sand beaches, cliffs, freshwater ponds and heathland, all with their own wildlife. Pods of killer whales may be seen between November and January circling the island in pursuit of the elephant seals and sea lions that breed there. Leopard seals and larger whales are also seen from time to time. A memorial to the HMS Sheffield, sunk in nearby waters, is also situated on the island.
Day 10 – Sea Lion Island
Day 11 – Sea Lion Island
Day 12 – Volunteer Point
Volunteer Point is one of the most popular and important tourist destinations in the Falklands. There is an abundance of bird activity in the area and is home to the largest king penguin colony in the Islands, as well as gentoo and magellanic penguins, waterfowl and other birds. Volunteer Beach itself is a beautiful white sandy beach, approximately 2km long, and is where many of the penguins can be seen entering and leaving the ocean.
Day 13 – Volunteer Point