South Island Saga: Doubtful Sound finale.

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We are approaching the end of our journey through Doubtful Sound. I'll be sorry to see this amazing glimpse into the fjords end.  

BTW, Jeanne told me something just now that I had apparently didn't hear during the cruise.  Our guide, during one of her talks, said that our ship is the same approximate size as Captain Cook's ship, The Endeavor. 

Let's get started with the photos for today...

I'll start this series like I did in the post before last; with Jeanne up front, apparently acting as ship's lookout.  

She was the one who originally became enthused about this South Island tour we're on so I thinks it's fitting that I show her leading the way as we live the adventure.   

Those of you who follow my blog know that I often refer to short stories, books or movies when I describe any given photo.  The picture below reminds me of one of my favorite movies when I was a kid. I saw The Lost World in about 1960, when I was nine.  In it, a group of scientists and adventurers traveled to the Amazonian jungle and discovered a hidden land with dinosaurs and volcanos. What nine year old could resist that?    

We have started to get a little light rain.

This is not a great picture, but I included it because it is interesting in it's own way.  Notice how smooth the water is.  

  

Here comes a dolphin.  Although there are nine species of dolphin's, this one is most likely a 'short-beaked common dolphin.'  

This species is listed as abundant. It is often preyed upon though by killer whales, which by the way, is actually the largest species of dolphin.  Seems a little cannibalistic doesn't it?  

We're approaching the end of our journey and are rewarded with a truly 'other-worldly' vista to round out our experience.  

I was briefly temped to enhance the colors a bit with an editing program, but I did not, preferring the reality of the scene.  

This is the view across the sound from the wharf where we have just tied up.

She was a fine ship.  Aye, that she was.  

We've come full circle. We are once again crossing Lake Manapouri. Our ultimate destination today is Te Anau, but we may have one or two adventures before we get there.  

Y'all come back again, y'hear?    -djf

Special addition:

I'm sorry I didn't get better dolphin pictures in Doubtful Sound. I was really hoping to have some good ones for you. 

However, I did get some amazing shots back in 2014 when Allie took us on a whale watching adventure.  

Here are a few shots from that trip, just for fun. 

That's a fin whale in the background.