So what am I going to cover in my last blog I know its come a little early but I'll get to that a little later. You might remember in THIS blog when Fridgy and myself went to Bauer Bay for a weekend. Well while we as i explained in that blog we spent a couple hours sitting quietly looking at the Royal Penguin Rookery. Well while there we noticed a adult Royal with a stainless steal band on one of the flippers.......
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| Pic: Michael Goldstein |
WELL
When we arrived back on station we mentioned this to the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service Rangers. They did a little digging and emailed a few people and last week told me and Fridgy that that penguin was tagged on the 31 January 1994. It was presumed that he was already older than 2 at the time of tagging and was more than likely tagged as one of the non breeders at a colony 14km away from where he is living now. SO that makes that little guy 22+ years old. WOW I have no idea that they live so long...........
Its amazing stuff that makes these journeys south SO flipping interesting. You do obviously sacrifice much to come, this had become VERY apparent to me this season however the people I have been with before and even the newbies do become your family. They have all shown me so much support and makes me feel very special that i have so many friend that care so deeply as to how I really feel.
By this time next week I'll be home. I didn't expect to be but it's all about priorities I guess and at the moment I need to be at home with my family. Think I'm safe in saying that this season has been the most difficult one I've had yet. Deteriorating health of a close family member is a hard this to deal with when your home but to deal with it down here is a whole different thing, something the strongest person I think would have difficulties dealing with. Any other problems that have occured along the way are insignificant compared to those of a close family member being sick. Even though there probably isn't much more that you can do if you were there but still the fact of not being there and giving support its still hard. Everyone down here and at the Division in Kingston has been very supportive in making my travel home possible and are helping me through a difficult time but mentally I'm not here. Mentally I'm already at home...........
So how do I get out, thats is a lot simpler than in Antarctica. Here at Macca there is 12 tourist boats a season come in and the Division has been able to book me a berth on the last one for the season to go home. Uncertainty with the current shipping schedule has made it very difficult for the season. Its been a shipping disaster season with many problems, the Chopper down at Davis to start with then it was the Stuckintheiceski then it was the Japanese ship that grounded after the first successful resupply in three years of the Syowa Station. These problems are normal I must add its part of doing business in Antarctica. All the preparing sometimes doesn't prepare you for what Antarctica will through at you.
Now back on to the good stuff we have had a couple Aurora Australis not the ship but the incredible stuff in the sky.........here is a couple I shot on those nights.
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| Pic: Michael Goldstein |
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| Pic: Michael Goldstein |
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| Pic: Michael Goldstein |
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| Pic: Michael Goldstein |
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| Pic: Michael Goldstein |
Now Aurora Australis or the Southern lights are exactly the same as the Northern lights. In fact the Northern lights are happening the same time as the Southern and its only that the daylight on the other hemisphere stops us from seeing it!
I was surfing the net last week and saw some incredible pics from the Northern lights last months and they can bee seen HERE.
Weather is extreem here being in the middle of the souther ocean and all. Last weekend we had a little storm roll in and this time there wasn't much rain in it. Me and Fridgy decided to go for a little walk and take some pics here is what we saw..........
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| Pic: Michael Goldstein |
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| Pic: Michael Goldstein |
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| Pic: Michael Goldstein |
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| Pic: Michael Goldstein |
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| Pic: Michael Goldstein |
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| Pic: Michael Goldstein |
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| Pic: Jess Holan |
There in middle left of pic you might be able to pic out a yellow speck. Thats me.............
Anyway its currently nearly 2am here, been a big night of farewell for me. Feels weird, never has there been an end of the season for me like this. Im a little lost for words to be honest and as many of you will testify that doesn't happen too often.
Going to leave you on this note might try and squeeze one more in sometime in the not to distant furute once I've got home but until then i hope you have all enjoyed my season at Macca and possibly encouraged you to do something you wouldn't normally do.
Stay Cool,
Michael
P.S.....................I cannot even imagine where I would be today were it not for that handful of friends
who have given me a heart full of joy. Let's face it, friends make life a lot more fun.
Charls Swindoll
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| Pic: Michael Goldstein |
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