Russebukta
As a full day was planned with early landings I went for a 0630am session in the gym - I need not have rushed even though it was a great session as it was foggy outside and the fog defined the morning. Plans A&B were discarded and we embarked on plan C.
Although extended fast ice prevented us from landing at Discobukta, we had the opportunity to enjoy Frank’s presentation “Smile of the Walrus" which examined the natural history of the walrus. By the time we finished our lunch the ship was approaching our afternoon destination of Russebukta.
Russebukta has typical extended tundra with low rocky ridges and abundant fresh water lakes. Much to our expedition leaders delight, we found the first flowers of the season, including purple saxifrage, dwarf birch and moss campion.
On approach to our landing site some noticed long-tailed ducks flying overhead (I missed them) while a few pairs of common and king eiders flew along the shore. Later, during our tundra walk, we saw even more king eiders on the surface of lakes. We also were lucky to find red-throated loons, who had chosen these lakes as their nesting sites,a few red phalaropes were enjoying light summer rain (as were we) close to lake shores and on the tundra itself, there were purple sandpipers and snow buntings.
As we walked across the squishy tundra a couple of fearless reindeer approached; we stood still and they came closer really allowing us to appreciate them and get good photos. Later we saw even more reindeer in the distance across the tundra and clearly they were enjoying a feast of the area’s lush foliage. The Svalbard population
of reindeer has noticeably shorter legs than reindeer on the European continent, probably because of the absence of wolves – their main predators.
To explain how squishy and difficult the tundra was to walk on in places - on one occasion my boot stayed in and my foot came out - and I was not the only one to experience this!!
It rained harder and we headed back to the ship - but it was a refreshing walk and after a hot shower all the warmth was restored. The showers are a snug fit and,occasionally, the squeegee provided had to be used to dry off the bathroom floor!