On the first CTD station today (or at least the first I was awake for, work goes on through the night) there were at least 5 Humpback Whales at various distances from the ship. Viewing from the bridge with binoculars, got very good views of the closest (could see each bartnacle on the tail as it fluked) but no photos. However at the next station this was rectified as three came and hung around behind the ship and up each side for about 30 minutes, easily audible. Other wildlife has included a large rorqual blow (probably Fin Whale), a narrowly missed Minke Whale seen by someone else (did see the 'footprints' of its bubbles as it swam away), one Fur seal investigating the cable at the first deep station and lots of birds. Up to 7 species of albatross now, including a slightly out-of-range Sooty Albatross. More bird photos to come.
Humpback Whales
Sooty Albatross - slightly out of range
Black-browed Albatross
The CTD package - CTD stands for Conductivity, Temperature, Depth but the whole unit is 'the CTD'. Gets lowered to the bottom (well, 10 metres off if we get it right) at each station - about 4000m each way at 60metres/minute, plus stops to close the bottles to bring water back, so well about 3 hours in the water.
Humpback Whales
Sooty Albatross - slightly out of range
Black-browed Albatross
The CTD package - CTD stands for Conductivity, Temperature, Depth but the whole unit is 'the CTD'. Gets lowered to the bottom (well, 10 metres off if we get it right) at each station - about 4000m each way at 60metres/minute, plus stops to close the bottles to bring water back, so well about 3 hours in the water.
1 comment:
Wow - The Humpback photos are amazing!!
Don't know how you cope on so little sleep though :-)
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