Grytviken, South Georgia Island

By April 1, 2010January 30th, 2016South Georgia Island, Southern Ocean, Time Lapse

Photos of the Grytviken Whaling Station, South Georgia Island

Following our morning at Hercules Bay, we motor during lunch to Cumberland Bay and the whaling settlement of Grytviken. Grytviken lies below – you guessed it – scenic mountains that rise almost straight up. It is insanely windy at times today, and snow flurries fall on and off all afternoon. A visit to the remains of the whaling town, and the museum, is interesting. I finally have a chance to set up my first time lapse shoot of the trip, of clouds moving over the mountains across Cumberland Bay. I find a spot out of the wind in the lee of an overturned boat on the beach, and walk away from my camera as it click-click-clicks away every five seconds. Back in the comfort of the boat, I enjoy a glass of wine with Doug Cheeseman while my camera stays outside in the cold and does it work. We enjoy a fine barbeque on deck tonight. A small group of Grytviken residents, including researchers from the British Antarctic Survey who offered a short presentation earlier in the day, join us. After dark I fetch my camera. The computer stays up all night processing the 2000 images into a short video. It turns out pretty neat!

Mountains, glaciers and ocean, the rugged and beautiful topography of South Georgia Island, Grytviken

Mountains, glaciers and ocean, the rugged and beautiful topography of South Georgia Island.
Image ID: 24580
Location: Grytviken, South Georgia Island

Antarctic fur seals, on tussock grass slopes near Grytviken, Arctocephalus gazella

Antarctic fur seals, on tussock grass slopes near Grytviken.
Image ID: 24414
Species: Antarctic Fur Seal, Arctocephalus gazella
Location: Grytviken, South Georgia Island

Grytviken Chapel, at the old whaling station of Grytviken, South Georgia Island

Grytviken Chapel, at the old whaling station of Grytviken, South Georgia Island.
Image ID: 24415
Location: Grytviken, South Georgia Island

Grytviken whale station, abandoned storage tanks

Grytviken whale station, abandoned storage tanks.
Image ID: 24464
Location: Grytviken, South Georgia Island

Next: Salisbury Plain, South Georgia Island
Previous: Hercules Bay, South Georgia Island
Trip Index: Cheesemans Antarctica, Falklands and South Georgia
All “Southern Ocean” entries

About Phil Colla

I am a natural history photographer. I enjoy making compelling images in the ocean, on land, and in the air. I have maintained the Natural History Photography blog since 2005 and my searchable Natural History Photography Library since 1997. Here are some tear sheets and behind the scenes views. Thanks for looking!