Port Stanley is the capital of the Falklands and the top photo shows just a small part of this city. The second photo shows Christ Church Cathedral with an arch made from whale jaw bones. I am not sure if these are original, actual whale bones or if they have been replaced by imitation ones!
Smaller birds are fairly plentiful on some of the Falkland Islands and certainly some have disappeared from their original locations because of predation by now-feral cat populations. However, where they do occur, they remain quite approachable. I have not included them all below but I hope you enjoy the images I have.
The Grass/sedge wren is fairly easily seen on islands where they do occur. This one is perched on some Diddle dee and is singing to declare its territory on Sea Lion Island. To the right is a Falklands pipit, a sub-species. Below (left and middle) are images of the endemic Cobb's Wren. They were photographed on the shore at Elephant Corner. The Black-throated finch/White-bridled finch (below right) can also be found on Sea Lion Island often skulking among the Tussac Grass.
In the three pictures directly above are Black-crowned night herons, an adult (left) 2 juveniles in the nest and a slightly older youngster about to fledge. The Pale-faced sheathbill (left) is bathing in a rock pool and when it finished its wash it hopped up on to a rock and shook itself (right). The Sheathbill below is feeding on a Limpet but how did it get it off of its rocky resting place? Below left is a pair of South American terns perhaps deciding whether or not to nest here. The Brown hare is, of course, not native to these islands. They were introduced here by early visiting sailors as a fresh meat supply.
Southern crested caracaras occur on the Falklands and are much less approachable than their Striated cousins. They are also much less common.
To end my photos of Falklands wildlife here are four images of Southern elephant seals. Pictured left is a male with its long nose showing something of how the species got its name while right is a photo of two territorial males squaring up to each other. Below are two shots of young Elephant seals yet to venture into the water for the first time. It shows just how tiring being a youngster can be!!
Well I guess despite not showing all of the species I have photographed on the Falkland Islands, that will have to do. I will repeat something I said in the first Falklands blog, it is a great place for wildlife photography as most of the wildlife is so tame. In fact, often the wildlife will approach you if you just sit down and wait!
I will soon add more blogs about various topics along with a good selection of images. I hope these blogs prove of interest.