In Search of Isbjørn.

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Dewi
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Re: In Search of Isbjørn.

Post by Dewi »

Following our exceptional Walrus encounter, we returned to the ship and crossed over Forlansoundet to the mainland. On the way, some Kittiwakes landed on the ship to hitch a lift with us. They were probably fed up with the attention of the Skuas. =O:

One sat on the lifeboat outside the bridge. I took this pic through the window, so it's a bit fuzzy, but I love the red on the inside of the bill and the red tongue.

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Meanwhile, on the canopy of the rear deck, the seargeant major was getting the troops revved up.

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We boarded the zodiac in thick fog and headed into the gloom. We landed on the beach in a small cove and climbed up onto the tundra. The view was restricted by the fog, but the calls of seabirds were evident somewhere up above us. We walked across wet boggy ground, stopping briefly to photograph some Yellow Marsh Saxifrage.

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Out of the gloom, some shapes were made out up ahead. They turned out to be Svalbard Reindeer once we got close enough to see more clearly through the gloom.

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There was one male with several females and a fawn. They were incredibly tame and allowed us to take photographs without being spooked by our presence.

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Movving on up the slope, Mats told us that there were usually Arctic Foxes here, but we could not find them in their usual spot. We climbed up above the cliffs and were being told a story by Mats when out of the gloom we saw this.

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As we moved down to where this Fox had disappeared from view, another was seen jumping over the rocks.

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We moved downslope in anticipation of a closer look. The next half hour or so would be one of the most magical experiences I've ever had with animals in the wild.........


Dewi

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Flutterby
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Re: In Search of Isbjørn.

Post by Flutterby »

Dewi, this just gets better and better!! :shock:

The detail in the walrus pics is fantastic!! \O And the foxes.... ^Q^ ^Q^


Jillinflorida
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Re: In Search of Isbjørn.

Post by Jillinflorida »

I can't believe you stopped there!!

Incredible photos though. Whew, what a fantastic trip.


pooky
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Re: In Search of Isbjørn.

Post by pooky »

Fabulous walrus pics Dewi. \O
The water drops on the end of the spikey
whiskers looks cool ^Q^ ^Q^

Gentle looking reindeer :-)

Lovely kittiwake portrait \O


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Toko
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Re: In Search of Isbjørn.

Post by Toko »

O/\ O/\ O/\ Wow for the Walrus pics - amazing creatures! And I like the wet flowers very much.

O0 Beautiful TT, Dewi \O \O \O


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Lisbeth
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Re: In Search of Isbjørn.

Post by Lisbeth »

The fox is not white, white, but it shows that it's an artic fox O\/ O\/ The reindeer look much smaller than the ones on the mainland :-? or is it for lack of a comparaive scale -O- The antlers are still covered with fur?
the seargeant major was getting the troops revved up.
Good one =O: =O:


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Flutterby
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Re: In Search of Isbjørn.

Post by Flutterby »

Dewi, I keep wishing we could nominate your pics for Pic of the Month, but as we can't we'll just declare this whole TT "Best Arctic Pics of the Year"!! ;-)

Just love the birdies on the canopy and the reindeer peering at you!! \O \O


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Re: In Search of Isbjørn.

Post by leachy »

Dewi wrote:
OK, time to start wrapping this one up I think...........
0' 0' 0' 0' 0' 0' 0' 0' 0' 0' 0' 0' 0' 0' 0' 0'

nnoooooooooooooo !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

0= 0= 0= 0= 0= 0= 0= 0= 0= 0= 0= 0= 0=


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PRWIN
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Re: In Search of Isbjørn.

Post by PRWIN »

Dewi

please stop as you are making me extremely jealous and the color of the forum. Then you still leave us in suspense 0- 0- 0' 0' 0'

=O: =O: =O: keep them coming 0() 0() 0()


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Dewi
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Re: In Search of Isbjørn.

Post by Dewi »

Thank you Flutterby, Jillinflorida, Pooky, Toko, Lisbeth, Leachy & PRWIN. \O

Flutts, just wait until the next episode or two, cuteness personified. O:V You know me by now, a few thumbs up on here and I'm happy as Larry. \O

Jill, a bit of suspense keeps you all on your toes. -O

Pooky, I was glad the water drops came out. \O Think you might enjoy the next episode. O:V

Toko, They were amazing creatures. \O Wish I had a proper macro lens for the flowers though, but they have turned out reasonably. \O

Lisbeth, I tried my best for a white one for you. O:V See what you think on the next post. \O

Leachy, one or two more posts, but then it's all over. :-( Wish I could pop back there. \O

PRWIN, will stop soon. =O: I feel exactly the same when I read your Etosha TT and see your pics. \O


Dewi

What is the good of having a nice house without a decent planet to put it on? (H D Thoreau)
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