North Atlantic Ocean

New York, USA to Southampton, England aboard the Queen Mary 2

July 6-13, 2014

All Photos are Copyright Marshall Faintich


Route Map


Statue of Liberty


Manhattan Skyline

July 5-6: Alice and I took the train from Charlottesville, Virginia to New York to board the Queen Mary 2 for Southampton, England. This was our third Atlantic Crossing on the QM2, but our first eastbound voyage on this ship. The QM2 headed more southerly than I had expected, presumably to avoid remnants of Hurricane Arthur, but we later learned that this route was also followed to avoid icebergs in the North Atlantic. Perhaps because of this route, I saw far fewer birds and marine wildlife than on previous crossings.

As we departed from New York, I saw Ring-billed, Great Black-backed, Herring, and Laughing Gulls; Common Terns; Double-crested Cormorants; and a few crows and pigeons. I was surprised to see a Cory's Shearwater close to the coast.


Double-crested Cormorant


Common Tern


Cory's Shearwater

July 7: The first full day at sea was fairly quiet, I saw a pair of Audubon's (Manx?) Shearwaters, a Laughing Gull, and some flying fish.


Audubon's Shearwaters


Audubon's Shearwaters


Laughing Gull


Flying Fish

July 8: Still quiet at sea. I saw a few Cory's Shearwaters, more flying fish, and a large jumping fish.


Cory's Shearwaters


Cory's Shearwater


Flying Fish


Flying Fish


Jumping Fish

July 9: It was still quiet this day. I saw a few Cory's Shearwaters, my first Great Shearwater of this trip, and some dolphins.


Great Shearwater


Dolphin

July 10: There was a bit more activity this day. A few Cory's Shearwaters made close passes by the ship. I saw more dolphins, and a whale.


Cory's Shearwater


Cory's Shearwater


Cory's Shearwater


Cory's Shearwater and dolphin


Whale

July 11: It was mostly cloudy today. I saw my first Northern Fulmars of this voyage, and more Cory's Shearwaters, dolphins, and a couple of whales.


Northern Fulmars


Northern Fulmar


Cory's Shearwater


Cory's Shearwater


Whale

July 12: The first Northern Gannets of this voyage appeared in the morning. There were immature Gannets with various levels of adult plumage along with a few adults.


Northern Gannet


Northern Gannet


Northern Gannet

July 13: In the early morning hours at Southampton, there were Black-headed, Herring, and Great Black-backed Gulls near the ship.


Black-headed Gull


Black-headed Gull


Herring Gulls


Herring Gulls


Herring Gull

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