July 12: Sunday stroll to Eagle Cave

A day without wind is a rarity on Macquarie Island. In a change from the usual prevailing westerlies, this morning we awoke to a light south-easterly wind. Myself and Ben decided a walk around the north-west featherbed SMA to Eagle Cave would see us tucked in out of the winds completely, so we set out at 0800hrs. Ben donned his headphones, but my incessant chatter finally broke him, and he gave up on the music. This part of the coast is usually exposed and windblown, so to stroll along in such great conditions, admiring the offshore surf breaks was a treat. In a round trip walk of 5 hours we checked out the caves, explored the beaches, and collected (more) marine debris treasures. The haul this time was a few bottles, green string, and a large docking rope.
We treated to reflections of the plateau, in Duck Lake, which reflected the colours of the mountain so beautifully.
A great way to spend a Sunday morning. We made it back to VJM (Station) by 1300hrs, despite the appearance of my baby giraffe legs and some spectacular uncoordinated feats of physical daring on the rocky sections with about an hour to go!
Thanks Ben Golden for the company!







Reflections of the plateau. Photo: Jacque Comery





View toward Half Moon Bay from the featherbed. Photo: Jacque Comery

Duck Lake. Photo: Jacque Comery

Ben 'hipster much' Golden. Photo: Jacque Comery

July 2: Bauer Bay to Station via the Northern Featherbed Special Management Area

Today rather than return to Station via the plateau and retrace our steps we thought we'd go around the west coast and see if we could collect some more storm debris. This route crosses over the breeding grounds of the Giant Petrels, and so is considered a Special Management Area (SMA). The access to the SMA ends at the end of July, so it was wonderful to experience this part of the coastline, especially as there was little wildlife to disturb. We were still investigated closely from the air by a number of Giant Petrels squawking like pterodactyls, who call this part of the island their home.
We picked up plastic bottles, fishing marker buoys, another 130 pieces of green string, and many pieces of rope.
We carried what we could, and the rest, especially the buoys were left at caches along the way for collection at resupply when we can get a helicopter.
We took a small detour to visit Eagle Cave where the survivors of a shipwreck once spent an entire year before being rescued!
It was a great day of walking along beaches and the featherbed, a floating peat and moss bog that bounces up and down as you walk on it. We had a few near bogging events with both Andrea and I stuck up to our knees a few times.
We arrived back on Station tired, but no too late to tuck into hot soup and shortbread. (Thanks Chef!)A huge thanks to Ranger Andrea Turbett, for showing me this part of the island, and allowing me to join in on the marine debris action. A great day.



A fishing buoy and piece of boat that was washed up. Photo: Andrea Turbett



Taking photos at Eagle Cave. Photo: Andrea Turbett



Looking towards home. Photo: Andrea Turbett

Thanks so much for the pics Andrea (Turbo) Turbett!