South Georgia Through the Lens: Brian Anderson

Meet Brian Anderson, a Wirral based photographer and lecturer with a passion for capturing the world around him. For over 15 years, he has been a dedicated supporter of the South Georgia Heritage Trust (SGHT). With his lectures about SG’s wildlife and its link with Liverpool and the Wirral, Brian finds the visual contrast of the decaying remnants of the whaling stations with the rich wildlife, fascinating – especially now that local species are reclaiming the abandoned stations as habitats. 

In this blog post, we delve into Brian’s latest journey to photograph the island and his ongoing efforts to support and promote the important work of SGHT.

Why is South Georgia important to you?

South Georgia became important to me from my first visit there in 2008. The moment I saw the stunning wildlife on this wild, desolate but beautiful place, I was hooked and I wanted to return. I have now been to the island 3 times, in 2008, 2011 and 2024.

On my first visit, whilst in Grytviken’s South Georgia Museum looking at an account ledger from the whaling station, I read the following short extract from the account export figures: “South Georgia 1917/18 Season Total Antarctic catch of 258,000 barrels of whale oil shipped from Grytviken via Port Stanley, to West Float, Birkenhead Docks, England”.

I couldn’t believe it, Birkenhead is 10 miles from where I live on the Wirral. I subsequently discovered vast quantities of whale oil were sent there every year to Lever Bros in Port Sunlight, to process into tallow for soap, margarine, candles and other products. I now lecture on Wirral’s links with the Southern whaling industry.

What inspired you to become to become a wildlife photographer?

I’ve always been interested in photography and fortunate to travel widely over the last 35 years. I have seen amazing sights and met wonderful people. These travel experiences have inspired my photography.

Do you have a favourite memory from the island?

One of the funniest is when I wore a kilt for a fellow American passenger who said he’d pay me to do so. As a Scot I couldn’t resist that, so wore it landing on St Andrews Bay, and, believe it or not, on 25 January, Burns Night in 2008. I must say, wearing a kilt with hundreds of inquisitive King penguin chicks wandering about was not a great idea! I was $50 better off though.

What were your first impressions of the island and how have they changed since your return visits?

On my first visit, I was overcome by the island’s beauty, and photographed the penguins, seals, albatrosses and petrels against the majestic snow-covered mountains. I also saw the reindeer running across the tussock covered moorland. Through SGHT’s fantastic eradication work alongside the GSGSSI, the deer and rodents have gone.

On my visit this November, increased bio-security was evident in all our landings. I was also amazed to see the abandoned whaling station beaches now teeming with penguins and seals. I saw SG Pipits and SG Teals, and we also had whale sightings around the island from our ship. As Sir David Attenborough states on the SGHT website, ‘a biological renaissance’ has certainly taken place in South Georgia.

To see more of Brian’s travel and wildlife photography, you can visit his website: www.andersonimages.co.uk