Snarled in the Snares

Our expedition leader, Aaron did his undergrad research in a remote group of sub-Antarctic Islands known as the Snares. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the islands are located at 48 degrees south. It is claimed that there are more birds on the Snares than there are seabirds around the British Isles. Aaron was able to work his connections and get us permits to zodiac cruise around the Snares. The massive granite islands are home to the Snares Crested Penguin. The entire world population of this species breeds here and nowhere else. They breed in small colonies under an endemic Tree Daisy forest. Never in my life did I think I’d see penguins nesting under tree-sized daisies while sea lions lazed around on rocks nearby and albatross glided over clear blue waters. I’ll let the pictures do the talking…