Carcass Island

What a strange name for a beautiful place-Carcass Island.  Our second stop in the Falklands was  a small island--there  750 of them- that's an active sheep ranch  owned by the McGill Family for thee last 35 years.  During the summer months, the island is open to tours to see many many Falkland Island birds, of which I know very little and the burrowing Magellanic penguins.

CaraCara -this bird is big--about the size of a bald eagle. They have coexisted with  people for a long time and are not afraid of us, are curious and walk/fly very close to check us out.

  

Male and female kepl geese.  The females are very well camouflaged! 

looking back at the McGill settlement

Upland Geese are everywhere on the grassy slopes above the water

Male kelp goose--or is it the female?


Chris and I chose to do the longer walk being dropped on Dyke Beach--another wet landing--and took a short walk across the island to a white sand beach without wind!  A rarity on the whole trip.  This far south is very windy.  After the reprieve from the wind and  walk on a white sand beach, we followed the red flags that our the crew put out to keep us out of the penguin's territory and away from their burrows that are buried in the ground.  It's nesting season and lots of babies

Magellanic penguin burrow

Magellanic Penguin

Magellanic Penguin sittingon an egg


We walked back to the McGill settlement on a 3 milles trail arcing around the bay.  Lots of kelp geese in down by the water and Upland Geese--upland.

Chris and I on the trail

What this Island is know for is the tea that is served to guests.  The table is piled with many varities of cookies and coffee or tea is served.  Yummy!

 Lots of flowers along the way

The very self sufficient settlement

LOTS of flowers along the way.