14 Jan 23 - Argentina - A Few Hours Around Ushuaia

It was my last day in Ushuaia. I dropped my luggage for the Plancius check-in which was conveniently close to my bedsit & one of the reasons for choosing this bedsit. I spent the rest of the morning sending emails: as I didn't intend to pay the expensive wifi connectivity charges once we were at sea. I had been able to arrange a late checkout from the bedsit and that gave me a couple of hours to have a look around the Bahia Encerrada Urban Nature Reserve, which is a large lake on the edge of the town & the docks. There was a selection of the commoner Ushuaia species to keep me & the camera occupied, until it was time to head to the dock to board the Plancius.

The Bahia Encerrada Urban Nature Reserve: It provides sanctuary for Wildfowl & other wetland species on the edge of the town

The Bahia Encerrada Urban Nature Reserve: It is only a short walk from the edge of town

Night Heron: Adult. This is the obscurus subspecies which occurs from North Chile & North-central Argentina to Tierra del Fuego

Night Heron: Adult

Crested Duck: This is the nominate specularioides subspecies which occurs from central Chile & Argentina to Tierra del Fuego & the Falkland Islands

Crested Duck

Crested Duck

Crested Duck

Red Shoveler: This monotypic species occurs from South Peru & South Brazil to Tierra del Fuego & the Falkland Islands

Red Shoveler

Yellow-billed Pintail: This is the spinicauda subspecies which occurs from the highlands of South Colombia to Tierra del Fuego & the Falkland Islands. The other subspecies is the nominate subspecies which is endemic to South Georgia

Southern Lapwing: This is the fretensis subspecies which occurs in Southern Chile & Argentina

Dolphin Gull: Adult. This monotypic species occurs on the coasts of South Chile & Argentina, as well as, the Falkland Islands

Dolphin Gull: Immature

Kelp Gull: Adult. This is the nominate dominicanus subspecies which occurs in the coastal South of South America, the Falklands, South Georgia, Australia & New Zealand

South American Tern: This monotypic species occurs along the coasts & islands of the South of South America & the Falkland Islands

South American Tern: The bright red bill and clean appearance identify it from Antarctic Terns or wintering Common & Arctic Terns

It was getting close to the boarding time, so I walked down to the port to await confirmation that we can board.

Plancius (right) & her sister ship, Ortelius look small compared to the large cruise ship

It's always good to get on board quickly as it provides the chance to choose the bunk for the next few weeks. I got to my four berth cabin to find Bill, an American traveller, had already boarded & he had selected one of the lower berths: I chose the other. Finally, Steve Preddy & the fourth cabin mate, Alexi appeared. Bunks agreed & bags stowed, it was time to head to the top deck to watch our departure.

Ortelius

Plancius: My home for the next 19 days. It was good to be back onboard her

26 Mar 18 - On The Waterfront

After spending most of the day at the Garibaldi Pass looking for White-bellied Seedsnipe, Tony, Glenn & I decided to head back to the car & try & find some food given it was mid afternoon. By the time we had found a café & had some food, the rain had settled in. The best option at this point, was to head back to Ushuaia & look for some of the coastal species. No chance of any new Ticks for me, but neither Tony nor Glenn had been to Ushuaia before, so there were plenty of potential Ticks for them. Plus a waterfront with views where you can scan from a car is always a good option in the rain, in my opinion.

Dolphin Gull: Adult. Looks good for a Seagull

Dolphin Gull: Teenager

At another stop we found these two sleeping Ducks: unfortunately in a position where it was not easy to properly judge the relative wing length. However, looking at the photos then I think they are Flying Steamerducks as the wing appears to be relatively long, the bill is not particularly thick and the body feathers have reddish-brown edges to them (instead of greyish edges).

Flying Steamerduck: Well actually "Sleeping Steamerducks" with a Dolphin Gull trying to photobomb the picture

Flying Steamerduck: Showing the relatively thin bill & reddish-brown edged feathers

Dark-bellied Cinclodes

Dark-bellied Cinclodes

Dark-bellied Cinclodes

The afternoon finished off with a party of 60+ Southern Giant Petrels all hanging around and trying to dominate each other around a water outflow pipe near the port at last light.

Southern Giant Petrel: No problem seeing why these are one of the Tubenose Seabirds. This odd posture seems to be an attempt to dominate the other individuals

Southern Giant Petrel: Another view of the dominating posture

Southern Giant Petrel: The pale green bill with no reddish tip rules out Northern Giant Petrel

Southern Giant Petrel: The darker the head patterns the younger they are

Southern Giant Petrel: Another one coming in to land