Postcards from South America

As I write these words, I can look out the window of cabin on the ship and see the distant coast of Peru as hazy mountains, almost blending with the sky. The sea is being kind and the ship is rolling only enough to ensure that I keep a hand free as I climb up and down the many staircases. The sun is beating down hard, hot, and unbelievably bright.

The first of the three cruises I’m working for SilverSea Expeditions wraps up day after tomorrow in Callao, Peru (the port near Lima). And it was interesting, though I can’t say terribly rewarding photographically. I’ve been challenged by the tropical light, forcing me to take some unconventional approaches to image-making. Backlighting, high contrast, even black and white on occasion.

The bird photography has been the most productive. We’ve spent a few days near and on off-shore islands where seabirds nest in abundance. My favorite species by far has been the elegant Inca Tern which we encountered for the first time in Antofogasta, Chile. Later, in Arica, Chile, they perched by the hundreds on the bow and stern lines of the ship as we were moored at port.

At any rate, I’ll try to update a bit more often as I continue my journey up the coast of western South America. Soon we will escape the desert and enter the wetter, humid climes surrounding the equator. I’m looking forward to it.