The first to appear are all males.

7,000 will arrive in small landing parties over the next five days.

Rockhoppers are spirited characters.

Tough,irrepressible,with a reputation of never giving up.

It's just as well.

As soon as they're ashore,the waves reclaim them.

The heavy swells toss them like flotsam,but they won't be deterred.

Success at last!

But victory is brief.

Despite their ordeal,they must try again-

a new generation of rockhoppers depends on it.

When they do,RockhopperCam will be ready.