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+---- Thread: Falkland Islands some pictures - wildlife (/showthread.php?tid=68764)
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Falkland Islands some pictures - wildlife - tinabean - 09-21-2013
<P>Hi all<BR>Well I am back on home soil after a stop in Jamaica. The Falklands was an experience, but of course I was there to work, it was not a vacation. It is a very different place from anywhere I have ever been before and if you want to see some very different wildlife and scenery, then it might be worth the trip. It is expensive as I mentioned in another post and time is limited if you want to just visit due to transportation and the very limited ways there are to get there.<P>Anyways, if okay, I will do this in two posts, one for the wildlife and one for the scenery. Although most of what I am about to post are my pictures, there are a few that a friend has allowed me to share as the wildlife is very different in their summer months (Dec-April). Should you wish to visit the Falklands, I would strongly suggest during this time. Although, it becomes a very busy for such a small place with the population of Stanley increasing by triple or quadruple when the cruise ships are in port for their morning. Flights from the US are through South America (LAN) and limited to one a week on Saturdays. Flights from the UK are twice a week operated by the military through Brize Norton. All flights land on the UK Air Force Base (Mount Pleasant) which is about an hour, on a good day, outside of town. Immigration is controlled by the them also . There are a few places to stay and pretty much no matter where you stay, expect to pay $90-$120 a night. Could also be a bit higher in the high season.<P>There are internal flights with FIGAS (Falkland Island Government Air Services) which go to the West Island and various "settlements" around. They will also go to some of the remote islands were you can find a B&B and it could very well turn out that you will be one of only a handful of people who have ever stepped foot on the island. The Falklands are made up of some 600 islands and some have never been walked on by a human and the Government has protected those islands as you are not allowed.<P>Many islanders have two often three jobs especially in the summer months during tourism. There is no unemployment as there are always jobs to be filled and vacancies of all types. Not enough people to do the jobs available. The population of the whole place is about 2700 with about 2000 living in Stanley. The rest live "in camp" on what the locals call settlements. The majority are farming with sheep being the main animal. Not many cows and even fewer pigs. Actually didn't see any cows or pigs in the three months of traveling around, just sheep, lots of sheep. A few of the in camp folks have set up small business such as a small store or a B&B or a café instead of farming. A few years back, the majority of the population lived in camp with Stanley very small; not so today and it is sad to see the unattended and dilapidated houses when visiting camp. The B&Bs are actually mostly used during "shearing season" as the shearers go from farm to farm to work. There are a few tourists who do venture out to camp, but not many. Also, professionals who need to travel around will be boarded in one of the B&Bs when needed. It is rustic to say the least.<P>Here is some wildlife....<P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/pictinabean43.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/pictinabean44.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/pictinabean45.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/pictinabean46.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/pictinabean47.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/pictinabean49.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/pictinabean50.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/pictinabean51.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/pictinabean52.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/pictinabean53.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/pictinabean54.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/pictinabean55.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/pictinabean56.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P>That was a lot quicker then the last time (Falklands is on satellite). Being back in civilization is so wonderful....ha. Scenery soon come.
Re: Falkland Islands some pictures - wildlife - Angel - 09-21-2013
<P>Welcome back, and posting photos.
Re: Falkland Islands some pictures - wildlife - suzengrace - 09-21-2013
<P>Wow...incredible pictures!!! I love all trip reports ,but esp. from obscure locales.. Looking forward to more
Re: Falkland Islands some pictures - wildlife - Sophie - 09-21-2013
<P>Thanks a bunch for the pics. I LOVE wildlife pics. I want to just snatch up one of those penguins and keep it in my house
Re: Falkland Islands some pictures - wildlife - oldtimer - 09-22-2013
<P>Thanks Beaner !!! obscure is always good .
Re: Falkland Islands some pictures - wildlife - tinabean - 09-22-2013
<P>The penguins are really cute and can be quite funny to watch, especially the littlins....they can also get quite aggressive.<P>They, the islanders, told me that they do actually eat the eggs which are huge. So I have been told, and of course I can easily be lead, haha, but I actually believe them. I was told that the first egg is not fertile so they take it to eat and the penguin will lay another one. Apparently they only lay one egg at a time until it hatches. If they are trying to increase the population, FIG (Falkland Island Government) will take the first to eat/sell and then the second they will keep warm and wait for another egg to be laid and then they return the second egg so that the penguin will have two to hatch...<P>Apparently they use the egg just like a chicken egg, frying it, boiling it, poaching it, to eat. Been told it has a bit of a fishy taste to it. When I was running a group with older persons, I was informed by them that it was much more common some 10-20 years ago to eat the eggs as it is now, and it is the older generation that seems to enjoy it.<P>Nope, I did not try one...could not get past the idea that it was a penguin!
Re: Falkland Islands some pictures - wildlife - rootswoman - 09-22-2013
<P>Wow! What amazing pictures.<BR>How lucky you are to have been to the Falkland Islands - not many people get the chance to go there.<BR>Even if it was for work its awesome you got to see all of that amazing wildlife!<P>Thanks for sharing this - there is something special about seeing pictures and reading narrative about different places on this board. It is different than reading random things on the internet or watching watered down versions on the travel Channel.<P>I'm glad to hear you stopped in Ja! Did you have a good visit? Were you in Negril. Id love hearing some impressions of your latest stay there.<BR>
Re: Falkland Islands some pictures - wildlife - Raine - 09-22-2013
<P>Gorgeous pictures. Luv luv the penguins.
Re: Falkland Islands some pictures - wildlife - tinabean - 09-22-2013
<P>I am really pleased that you all like the pictures and that I can share these here.<P>Rambo - I work in social services, sometimes in child protection, sometimes with adults, sometimes with addicts, alcoholics, and domestic violence. As there is a shortage in my field in most countries, social work is on the immigration shortage list which means that an employer, after advertising the job and not finding a local, can easily obtain a work visa to employ a foreigner. This is what I have done in all of the countries that I have lived/worked in. The job sounds worse then it is and for the most part, although stressful, I have enjoyed what I do, especially working with older persons....however, I have returned to my US home to finish a degree in another field as it is time to do something different...<P>Rootswoman - I spent just over 5 weeks in JA after my 3 months in the Falklands. I enjoy my trips to JA immensely and will be returning in a few months for 6 weeks. I stay outside of Negril, sometimes venturing to the beach and sometimes not. Although I do enjoy the beach, after a few days, I need a break, even in the slow season. I much prefer sitting on my porch in our yard listening and watching the world go by while sipping a cold drink and reading a good book.<P>Here are a few more....<P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/pictinabean57.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/pictinabean58.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/pictinabean59.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/pictinabean60.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/pictinabean61.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/pictinabean62.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/pictinabean63.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/pictinabean64.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P>
Re: Falkland Islands some pictures - wildlife - Sophie - 09-22-2013
<P>Were you as close to the penguins and seals as it seems or is it a lot of zoom? Those little seal faces are so sweet---- damn it, I want to keep one of THOSE in my house too!! I should probably be living in a zoo.