“In the wake of Scott and Shackleton” - a photo and video essay by Mitchell Roberts

Buller’s Albatross Thalassarche bulleri at The Snares

Mitchell Roberts is a photographer and videographer from Toowoomba, Australia who works with conservation groups to share their projects through video.  He also teaches photographers how to get the most out of their camera, from basics through to finding their vision. Mitchell has written to ACAP Latest News saying that he has a passion for wildlife nurtured in his early years and built on his love of photography to create visually engaging images.

From 2 February to 1 March 2025 he travelled to sub-Antarctic islands south of New Zealand and to Antarctica on the “In the wake of Scott and Shackleton : Ross Sea Antarctica” expedition as a True Young Explorer of Heritage Expedition's scholarship programme.

He says “Travelling to such a remote region of the world was truly mind blowing!  Experiencing the over three-metre wingspan of a Southern Royal Albatross Diomedea epomophora gliding right above my head was something I’ll never forget.  Seeing the sheer numbers of petrels flying and catching the winds captured my imagination as they picked up speed in an instant.  All while being surrounded by unique landscapes and wide expansive oceans”.

Mitchell Roberts

Mitchell has kindly agreed to share some of his photos and videos of the Snares, Enderby Island, Auckland Islands, Campbell Island and Macquarie Island with ACAP.

Light-mantled Sooty Albatrosses at Campbell, Enderby and Macquarie Islands

Northern Giant Petrel Macronectes halli

Southern Royal Albatrosses at Campbell Island

A Southern Royal Albatross flies over Campbell Island

Light-mantled Sooty Albatross Phoebetria palpebrata chick

A Southern Royal Albatross gives a ‘sky call’ on Campbell Island

 
A Buller’s Albatross in flight at The Snares

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 23 July 2025