Falkland Islands 27 October - 4 November 2018

Day 1 – 27.10.2018 We started our Falkland Island expedition at Saunder island with photographing Rockhopper penguins and albatrosses. It was an excellent start on our week in the Falklands with great light conditions.

Rockhopper penguins in the "shower" after sunset.

Day 2 – 28.10 2018  15 minutes walk from our accommodation we had great photo opportunities of Magellanic penguins and geese at sunrise. After breakfast we drove to the Neck for our next two full days.

Geese at sunrise
Evening photo opportunities at the Neck

Day 3 – 29.10 2018  Big surfes at the northern side of the island did't stop the Rockhopper penguins from entering land. We also had great photo opportunities of Gentoo penguins, King penguins and other birds this day.

Rockhopper penguins entering the rocks in big surfs
Geese and albatrosses flying along the beach
Rockhopper penguins after sunset

Day 4 – 30.10 2018 Last morning at the Neck we photographed more penguins and birds. After lunch we flew to Sea Lion Island for the next 3 days.

Day 5 – 31 October 2018  We had a long day photographing birds from early morning close to the lodge until the great sunset near the cliffs in the middle parts of the island. There were numerous birds to photograph like Rockhopper penguin, Gentoo penguin, Magellanic penguin, Flying steamer duck, Two-banded plover, Brown skua, Striated caracara, South American snipe, Silvery grebe, Southern giant petrel and Imperial Shag. A great day for bird photography!

Flying steamer duck, Gentoo penguin and South American snipe in early morning
Imperial shag at sunset
Pockhopper penguins at sunset

Day 6 – 1 November 2018 We started early in the morning with a great sunrise at the rockhopper cliffs. in the middle of the day we photographed different birds around the "grebe pond", and in the evening we had one of the best sunset light conditions you can imagine. Even one hour after sunset the the light condition was stunning. WOW, what a day!

Photographing Rockhopper penguins and Striated caracara at sunrise
Some "grass birds" photographed in the middle of the day
Birds in great sunset light on the beach a few minutes walking from the lodge
Gentoo penguin, Magellanoic pengiuin and Ruddy-headed Goose after sunset

Day 7 – 2 November 2018 This day started as yesterday ended, with great light conditions. In these situations it is sometimes necessary to put down the camera for a while and just enjoying the moment. Around lunch time we flew to Port Stanley for a night at the hotel, but no need for resting yet!

For the sunset we hired Landrovers for an offroad drive to a "secret" place with one speciality - the Northern rockhopper penguin. This bird species is very rare, normally nesting in Tristan da Cunha, but for some reason one of them have ended up in the Falkland Islands. Fortunately, we succeeded to see and photograph this penguin on close range this evening.

Birds on the beach at sunrise
Two Southern rockhopper penguins to the left, and the rare Northern Rockhopper penguin to the right

Day 8 – 3 November 2018 Last morning we drove 20 minutes from Port Stanley, where we photographed Black-crowned night heron, Rock shag and Kelp goose. Back in Port Stanley we ended our Falkland Island expedition and started to prepare for our next photo expedition - to South Georgia.

We had successful days during this Falkland Island expedition with nice light conditions, cooperative birds and lots of great photo opportunities. It was also a great experience to travel and share these moments with fellow photographers sharing the same interest for bird photography. Thanks to everyone who participated and made this trip memorable!

Let us know if you want to travel with WildPhoto Travel on a similar photo expedition to the Falkland Islands.

Text & photo: Ole J Liodden