(a mini-) TRIP REPORT: Svalbard, Norway, June/July 2016
All the cliff dwelling seabirds spend their lives at sea, and only return to land each spring to breed, nest and raise their young. Some of the more common species on Svalbard are the Guillemots, Puffins, Little Auks, Kittiwakes, and various Gulls.
Surprisingly, we spotted a fair number of Blue Whales, the largest animal known to exist--almost 100 feet long and over 100 tons. Unfortunately, none really breached for us, so we had to be satisfied with exposed backs; maybe that's why whale watching isn't my favorite thing?
An old friend happened by one day, the M/S Ortelius; 18 months ago both Steve and I traveled on this ship to the Falklands, South Georgia and the Antarctica Peninsula. This included a 90mph gale (with 30 foot seas--the waves breaking over the wheelhouse!) while crossing of the Scotia Sea that lasted 5 days (2 longer than usual). We might have some pleasant memories of the trip, but we also remember the elbow to elbow crowding during some shore landings--which prompted us to join this much smaller 12 person tour of Svalbard. Like many other Antarctic vessels, the Ortelius works the Arctic region during the off season.
