Thanks very much for the guestbook message Steven. I want to return the compliment, because I feel the same about your shots. Actually I think we have very similar photographic interests and similar styles.

Interesting you mention "Erebus" - last week I was listening to the Penguin podcast with Michael Palin being interviewed about the book. (You'd enjoy the podcast. He's very droll, as you'd expect.) It sounds like an extraordinary story. Even as the starting point for the Antarctic expedition, Van Dieman's Land would have been remarkably unspoilt and colourful in 1840. It still is like nowhere else in Australia.

Your Chile/Falklands trip sounds wonderful. I've enjoyed all your images from your last trip to Patagonia (from shearing to bus shelter, glaciers and penguins!). The Andes will be something else. I saw a nature doco about the Falklands and it also looks fascinating too.

Have a great time. Look forward to the shots.

Best wishes
Des

Hi Des
I was thinking of you just now reading Michael Palin's book "Erebus" including accounts of the ship's visits to Tasmania on its first Antarctic expedition. A good read, and definitely a place I would like to visit someday.
Meanwhile next Tuesday we head south for 3 days in Santiago, Chile including a guided trip up into the Andes, then 8 days in the Falkland Islands. Should be a nice change from the very quiet birding and photography here in Toronto at the moment. Hope to be able to post some decent pics when we get back.
Always enjoy your shots.
Steven