South Georgia: beauty animal
I remember the first time I heard the name of these islands. A dinner talk in which a friend told me about animals I had only seen on TV. Since childhood I liked geography, but I had no idea where he was South Georgia. My friends Oscar and Mary were the ones who introduced me to this magnificent place. South Georgia and South Sandwich, it's like actually called, belong to the British Crown and are situated 1.080 km sureste de las Islas Malvinas.
I boarded the first plane from Mallorca to Madrid; the second took me to Santiago de Chile and there took another until Ushuaia. In the port of this city was docked Endeavour, a boat with distinctive National Geographic que me llevaría a South Georgia after passing through Falklands.
A friend told me about animals I had only seen on TV. Since childhood I liked geography, but I had no idea where he was South Georgia
After several days of navigation in the Endeavour, English arrived at these islands where life is very difficult. The cold, wet weather, temperature only in January can reach 15 º and social isolation (inhabit only a few 2000 people 12.000 km2) Falkland make a place where only some can learn to live.
In South Georgia, uninhabited today, con steep orography, mountains rise to almost 3.000 meters above sea level. Perpetual snow decorate the skirts and the tops of the spectacular peaks. The glaciers snaking down the slopes of mountains reaching the vast ocean. Lichens and mosses are green scenery when snow does not completely cover the soil. But South Georgia is not known as much for its geography, but rather by the number of animals that inhabit the islands and being instead of mating and breeding hundreds of thousands of king penguins.
Perpetual snow decorate the skirts and the tops of the spectacular peaks. The glaciers snaking down the slopes of mountains reaching the vast ocean
The King Penguin is one of many species that we can see in this place. It is listed as the second highest Penguin, after Emperor. Dweller on the islands usual subantártidas, This unbelievable animal can swim hundreds of miles to get to bring food to their chicks. While parents are in search of precious squid, basis of their diet, the small ground pigeon stays emitting a particular sound that tells parents where their child. Otherwise be, very difficult to find them. Their biggest challenge is to get back to the mainland to feed their young. Killer whales and leopard seals are under those dark, cold waters that penguins should explore squid fishing.
I sat on the edge of the beach admiring their little bodies dressed in tails. Remained aware of my presence, but after five minutes began to feel comfortable and curious came. I imagine that the animal surprised that half a century ago now annihilated observe limit.
I sat on the edge of the beach admiring their little bodies dressed in tails. Aware of my presence, after five minutes began to feel comfortable and curious came
Addition King Penguins, We can see the little gentoo, the Mafia macaroni, the adelie or the Pingüino the Humboldt. There are also giant petrels, the albatross browed and aggressive skua, a bird predators.
The skuas scavenge engaged peck and the offspring of elephant seals. Contrary to what we might think, the elephant seals stand still while this bird pecking the eyes of the young. Small animals or move, simply close the eye on each peck.
We could dream, walking inland, that these places had not walked anyone, feeling always observed for animals
As Endeavour is 79m in length boat landings from the small zodiacs did not keel. Once ashore, before our eyes opened new ground. In most landings no trace of civilization, except Stromness, Leith y Husvik, former Norwegian whaling stations that used since 1910 to 1931. We could dream, walking inland, that these places had not walked anyone, feeling always observed for animals.
There were days that I was going up the hills and enjoying the magnificent views, taking into account the sea lions, if the water is moving at high speed, ground we can achieve if we keep a watchful. Every morning we gave a talk about what we were seeing and always reminded us how dangerous this animal. The guideline to follow if one of these was approached two stones collide and move towards them. So we were getting to be maintained at a safe distance. I can assure you it works.
Other days I sit on the beach enough, all alone, and let the penguins daring to approach browse. He could have them by my side watching me, really close. If I stretch the open arm touched.
Other days was enough for me to sit on a piece of beach, all alone, and let the penguins daring to approach browse
The beaches are territory elephant seals, huge animals over four tons and six meters in length in the case of males (females, however, reach 900 kg and almost four meters). This area is shared with the Penguins because most only use the bank to enter and exit. The penguin often hundreds of meters offshore.
When I heard about South Georgia I thought it would be unattainable, a destination impossible for most in which I include, but a few years, I had the incredible opportunity to visit. I always thought that one of the most rewarding things is to fulfill the dreams, and with this trip I met one. Never stop dreaming!
