Dr Lesley Russell
@lrussellwolpe.bsky.social
Health policy wonk, political tragic, hiking & skiing nut.
Sydney 🇦🇺 and Keystone 🇺🇸
Sydney 🇦🇺 and Keystone 🇺🇸
Here is link to original article
www.nature.com/articles/s42...
And my photos from just a few days ago on beach at St Andrews Bay. It's sometimes difficult to tell if elephant seals are dead or alive - until they charge in anger at other seals, birds or you!
www.nature.com/articles/s42...
And my photos from just a few days ago on beach at St Andrews Bay. It's sometimes difficult to tell if elephant seals are dead or alive - until they charge in anger at other seals, birds or you!
November 16, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Here is link to original article
www.nature.com/articles/s42...
And my photos from just a few days ago on beach at St Andrews Bay. It's sometimes difficult to tell if elephant seals are dead or alive - until they charge in anger at other seals, birds or you!
www.nature.com/articles/s42...
And my photos from just a few days ago on beach at St Andrews Bay. It's sometimes difficult to tell if elephant seals are dead or alive - until they charge in anger at other seals, birds or you!
It's goodbye to the wonderful Antarctic / subAntarctic regions as we leave South Georgia for three days of sailing through rough seas back to Ushuaia.
#ShackeltonFootsteps
#ShackeltonFootsteps
November 16, 2025 at 12:17 PM
It's goodbye to the wonderful Antarctic / subAntarctic regions as we leave South Georgia for three days of sailing through rough seas back to Ushuaia.
#ShackeltonFootsteps
#ShackeltonFootsteps
More photos from Leith - Stromless hike. You can just see us coming down the screen slope to the beach, patrolled by angry sea lions.
Also a photo of where Shackelton et al came down and the waterfall they climbed down. Sadly too much snow meant we could not do this hike.
Also a photo of where Shackelton et al came down and the waterfall they climbed down. Sadly too much snow meant we could not do this hike.
November 15, 2025 at 8:18 PM
More photos from Leith - Stromless hike. You can just see us coming down the screen slope to the beach, patrolled by angry sea lions.
Also a photo of where Shackelton et al came down and the waterfall they climbed down. Sadly too much snow meant we could not do this hike.
Also a photo of where Shackelton et al came down and the waterfall they climbed down. Sadly too much snow meant we could not do this hike.
This afternoon some of us hiked from Leith whaling station over tussocked Hills and shale slopes to Stromness whaling station. Seals hiding in the tussocks were a threat. Glorious weather, great views.
#ShackeltonFootsteps
#ShackeltonFootsteps
November 15, 2025 at 8:13 PM
This afternoon some of us hiked from Leith whaling station over tussocked Hills and shale slopes to Stromness whaling station. Seals hiding in the tussocks were a threat. Glorious weather, great views.
#ShackeltonFootsteps
#ShackeltonFootsteps
And of course there was a wedding to attend in the tiny Grytviken Church! The bride wore hiking boots.
Then we all went off to toast The Boss at his grave. #ShackeltonFootsteps
Then we all went off to toast The Boss at his grave. #ShackeltonFootsteps
November 15, 2025 at 3:23 PM
And of course there was a wedding to attend in the tiny Grytviken Church! The bride wore hiking boots.
Then we all went off to toast The Boss at his grave. #ShackeltonFootsteps
Then we all went off to toast The Boss at his grave. #ShackeltonFootsteps
A fun morning exploring the history of Grytviken. The South Georgia Heritage Trust is doing an amazing job of environmental protection and historical preservation. #ShackeltonFootsteps
November 15, 2025 at 2:39 PM
A fun morning exploring the history of Grytviken. The South Georgia Heritage Trust is doing an amazing job of environmental protection and historical preservation. #ShackeltonFootsteps
Absolutely amazing, awe-inspiring.
November 15, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Absolutely amazing, awe-inspiring.
Good morning from Grytviken, South Georgia.
We are here to explore the whaling history, pay homage at the graves of Shackelton and Wild - and there's a wedding! Two of our fellow explorers are getting married in the little church and we are all invited! #ShackeltonFootsteps
We are here to explore the whaling history, pay homage at the graves of Shackelton and Wild - and there's a wedding! Two of our fellow explorers are getting married in the little church and we are all invited! #ShackeltonFootsteps
November 15, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Good morning from Grytviken, South Georgia.
We are here to explore the whaling history, pay homage at the graves of Shackelton and Wild - and there's a wedding! Two of our fellow explorers are getting married in the little church and we are all invited! #ShackeltonFootsteps
We are here to explore the whaling history, pay homage at the graves of Shackelton and Wild - and there's a wedding! Two of our fellow explorers are getting married in the little church and we are all invited! #ShackeltonFootsteps
Remains of a glorious day at Cumberland Bay, South Georgia Island. The Neumyer Glacier here is retreating very fast.
#ShackeltonFootsteps
#ShackeltonFootsteps
November 14, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Remains of a glorious day at Cumberland Bay, South Georgia Island. The Neumyer Glacier here is retreating very fast.
#ShackeltonFootsteps
#ShackeltonFootsteps
As we ate lunch (ravenous after trip to penguin rookery at St Andrews Bay) sailed to Godthul for zodiac trip to Rookery Point (gentoos, albatrosses, terns). Back via Cobblers Cove (blocked by an iceberg). Currently en route to Cumberland Bay. #ShackeltonFootsteps
November 14, 2025 at 7:10 PM
As we ate lunch (ravenous after trip to penguin rookery at St Andrews Bay) sailed to Godthul for zodiac trip to Rookery Point (gentoos, albatrosses, terns). Back via Cobblers Cove (blocked by an iceberg). Currently en route to Cumberland Bay. #ShackeltonFootsteps
Photos from St Andrews Bay, South Georgia Island #ShackeltonFootsteps
November 14, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Photos from St Andrews Bay, South Georgia Island #ShackeltonFootsteps
Despite choppy seas and high winds we were able to go ashore af St Andrews Bay. King penguins everywhere! Along with some very grumpy elephant seals and a few fur seals. Sadly, evidence of H5N1 bird flu infections in elephant seals.
Lots of photos! #ShackeltonFootsteps
Lots of photos! #ShackeltonFootsteps
November 14, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Despite choppy seas and high winds we were able to go ashore af St Andrews Bay. King penguins everywhere! Along with some very grumpy elephant seals and a few fur seals. Sadly, evidence of H5N1 bird flu infections in elephant seals.
Lots of photos! #ShackeltonFootsteps
Lots of photos! #ShackeltonFootsteps
Good morning from St Andrews Bay, South Georgia Island. Looks like fresh snow overnight but weather now clearing, maybe sunshine. Preparing to go ashore - lots of penguins.
November 14, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Good morning from St Andrews Bay, South Georgia Island. Looks like fresh snow overnight but weather now clearing, maybe sunshine. Preparing to go ashore - lots of penguins.
Lunch at Possession Bay, named by Captain Cook when he claimed South Georgia for Britain in 1775. Surrounded by glaciers and suddenly the weather has turned. Wind at 50 knots - it's a whiteout. So now headed to Fortuna Bay looking for calmer waters.
November 13, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Lunch at Possession Bay, named by Captain Cook when he claimed South Georgia for Britain in 1775. Surrounded by glaciers and suddenly the weather has turned. Wind at 50 knots - it's a whiteout. So now headed to Fortuna Bay looking for calmer waters.
Zodiac cruise of Prince Olaf Harbour, once a major whaling station, now home to lots of elephant seals, clustered around the shore - the bull and his harem and lots of pups.
#ShackeltonFootsteps
#ShackeltonFootsteps
November 13, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Zodiac cruise of Prince Olaf Harbour, once a major whaling station, now home to lots of elephant seals, clustered around the shore - the bull and his harem and lots of pups.
#ShackeltonFootsteps
#ShackeltonFootsteps
Salisbury Plain, South Georgia. We hiked 4km across tussock grass (hiding seal, sealions, terns). By February this area will be so crowded w wildlife that shore landings won't be possible. Concerns about bird flu, 14 areas closed on SGI, elsewhere, like here, expeditions report findings.
November 13, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Salisbury Plain, South Georgia. We hiked 4km across tussock grass (hiding seal, sealions, terns). By February this area will be so crowded w wildlife that shore landings won't be possible. Concerns about bird flu, 14 areas closed on SGI, elsewhere, like here, expeditions report findings.
A 3:30am wakeup call for 4:00am zodiac trip to Salisbury Plain - largest penguin colony on South Georgia. Lots of king & gentoo penguins (moulting), seals + pups, sealions (aggressive). Seas calm but a steady rain. #ShackeltonFootsteps
November 13, 2025 at 11:04 AM
A 3:30am wakeup call for 4:00am zodiac trip to Salisbury Plain - largest penguin colony on South Georgia. Lots of king & gentoo penguins (moulting), seals + pups, sealions (aggressive). Seas calm but a steady rain. #ShackeltonFootsteps
Good morning from South Georgia Island! Up at 3:30am for 4:00am zodiac to Salisbury Plain, biggest penguin colony on SGI. In Feb this will be too crowded w wildlife to land. Lots of king & gentoo penguins (moulting), seals + pups, sea lions (aggressive). Calm seas but rain. #ShackeltonFootsteps
November 13, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Good morning from South Georgia Island! Up at 3:30am for 4:00am zodiac to Salisbury Plain, biggest penguin colony on SGI. In Feb this will be too crowded w wildlife to land. Lots of king & gentoo penguins (moulting), seals + pups, sea lions (aggressive). Calm seas but rain. #ShackeltonFootsteps
Plan was then to zodiac in to Cape Rosa where the James Caird first landed 16 day trip from Elephant Is. Here they feasted on albatross before seeking better shelter at Pegetty Bluff. Sadly worsening weather prevented us from visiting this tiny cove.
November 12, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Plan was then to zodiac in to Cape Rosa where the James Caird first landed 16 day trip from Elephant Is. Here they feasted on albatross before seeking better shelter at Pegetty Bluff. Sadly worsening weather prevented us from visiting this tiny cove.
More photos from Pegetty Bluff.
#ShackeltonFootsteps
#ShackeltonFootsteps
November 12, 2025 at 7:14 PM
More photos from Pegetty Bluff.
#ShackeltonFootsteps
#ShackeltonFootsteps
An exciting shore excursion at Peggety Bluff. This area was glaciated when Shackelton landed here to commence his hike over mountains to whaling station. Now tussock grass, moss, peaty bogs, rocky moraine. A few King penguins, lots of seals, sealions and nesting terns. #ShackeltonFootsteps
November 12, 2025 at 7:13 PM
An exciting shore excursion at Peggety Bluff. This area was glaciated when Shackelton landed here to commence his hike over mountains to whaling station. Now tussock grass, moss, peaty bogs, rocky moraine. A few King penguins, lots of seals, sealions and nesting terns. #ShackeltonFootsteps
Good morning from South Georgia Island as we sail up King Haakon Sound to Pegetty Bluff. Shackelton pulled in here after his epic crossing from Elephant Island. #ShackeltonFootsteps
November 12, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Good morning from South Georgia Island as we sail up King Haakon Sound to Pegetty Bluff. Shackelton pulled in here after his epic crossing from Elephant Island. #ShackeltonFootsteps
We are sailing past iceberg A77 it's 6 miles long, 2 miles wide, 100 feet high.
Very impressive. #ShackeltonFootsteps
usicecenter.gov/PressRelease...
Very impressive. #ShackeltonFootsteps
usicecenter.gov/PressRelease...
November 11, 2025 at 6:34 PM
We are sailing past iceberg A77 it's 6 miles long, 2 miles wide, 100 feet high.
Very impressive. #ShackeltonFootsteps
usicecenter.gov/PressRelease...
Very impressive. #ShackeltonFootsteps
usicecenter.gov/PressRelease...
Biosecurity preparations prior to landing South Georgia Is - one of v few examples of recovering ecosystem - tomorrow. Ship lights dimmed at night to protect birds, rat detection, clothing & equipment cleaned & checked, more disinfecting/cleaning going ashore/returning + avian flu precautions.
November 11, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Biosecurity preparations prior to landing South Georgia Is - one of v few examples of recovering ecosystem - tomorrow. Ship lights dimmed at night to protect birds, rat detection, clothing & equipment cleaned & checked, more disinfecting/cleaning going ashore/returning + avian flu precautions.
As we steam towards South Georgia Island (much more salubrious conditions than Shackleton party) we are busy with lectures, activities, discussion on bird life, clouds, invasive species and Shackelton. Expedition crew built a model of the James Caird to complete the experience. #ShackletonFootsteps
November 10, 2025 at 5:05 PM
As we steam towards South Georgia Island (much more salubrious conditions than Shackleton party) we are busy with lectures, activities, discussion on bird life, clouds, invasive species and Shackelton. Expedition crew built a model of the James Caird to complete the experience. #ShackletonFootsteps