Cooper Bay - South Georgia

The original plan had been to stop at Cooper Bay first, but the zodiac ramp was having a problem, so we went to Drygalski fjord earlier that morning.
As we ate brunch, the ship repositioned (and the Ocean Nova crew fixed the zodiac ramp) so we then disembarked for our last visit to South Georgia.

The Ocean Nova in Cooper Bay, South Georgia

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It was a short walk through the Tussock Grass to a Macaroni Penguin colony

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Don whips out his VR 200-400 F/4 Nikon - size matters when it comes to camera lens! ;-)

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His wife Marilyn was skeptical at first ...

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But she enjoyed the view ... and Don graciously let everyone have a look

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The Macaroni Penguins were close enough that my Canon 55-250 telephoto lens was adequate! ;-)

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I guess this is how Macaroni Penguins scratch an itch! ;-)

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These little guys were very well hidden in the Tussock Grass - mouseover to see close-up

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Fur Seals were also well hidden and would snarl at you from the Tussock Grass

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A Skua takes flight from his hiding spot in the tall grass

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Macaroni Penguins also enjoyed playing in the water

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Macaroni Penguin paddles to get out of the water - mouseover to see close-up

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A Chinstrap Penguin shares a rock with a Snowy Sheathbill

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Macaroni & Gentoo Penguins, South Georgia Shag (Cormorant) and Snowy Sheathbill share a popular spot on the rocks despite all the poop! ;-)

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After four glorious days, it was sad to finally have to leave South Georgia. But it was time to head down to Antarctica via another couple of days of cruising on the Scotia Sea.


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