I have recently returned from guiding Rockjumper’s latest Falklands Islands, South Georgia and Antarctica cruise and wanted to share some of my photographic highlights. Over the years I have travelled extensively in search of photographic subjects and must rank this cruise as my most memorable photographic experience to date. The sheer numbers of birds and mammals are complemented by the proximity to which they allow approach and the quality of the species, from giant whales and seals to nesting albatross and comical penguins.

Below is a selection of my favourite images from this 19-day cruise.

Our voyage commenced on the 28th December as we steamed out of Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, towards the Falkland Islands. Before long, we had seen numerous Tierra del Fuego specialties, including Magellanic Diving-Petrel, Chilean Skua, South American Tern, Flying and Fuegian Steamer Duck, Rock and Imperial Shag and the lovely Dolphin Gull. Entering deeper waters, we encountered the first of many spectacular Wandering Albatross, along with smaller Grey-headed and Black-browed Albatross, Great Shearwater, Slender-billed Prion, Wilson’s Storm Petrel and Southern Giant Petrel.

The next leg of our journey took us to remote and rugged South Georgia. Landing at Salisbury Plain was, without a doubt, one of the most incredible experiences of my life. Seeing more than 200,000 King Penguins, wall to wall, was a sight impossible to convey with words. Time spent here was absolutely amazing and viewing a Southern Giant Petrel killing an almost full grown juvenile King Penguin was Nature in its absolute rawest form!

Leaving South Georgia behind, we cruised south-west toward the South Orkney Islands. En route we had our first views of the elegant and highly sought-after Snow Petrel. Upon arrival, we visited the Orcadas Station where we were impressed by astounding views of the surrounding glaciers. Later, we explored Elephant Island, which served as a place of refuge in 1916 for Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew after their ship was destroyed by pack ice in the Weddell Sea. The next port of call was the South Shetland Islands off the Antarctic Peninsula. Here our birding and photography concentrated on the vast numbers of Adelie, Chinstrap and Gentoo Penguins that thrive here.

Finally stepping onto the Great White Continent itself, we had breathtaking experiences and obtained awesome images of Weddell, Crab-eater and Leopard Seals. The mammalian highlight, however, was witnessing and photographing numerous Humpback Whales only meters away from our zodiac. Wow! What an experience to be so close to these gentle giants of the ocean!