This morning found National Geographic Orion a little farther south. With the change in latitude came a change in weather. Rain greeted us early in the day, and seas were a bit rougher than days past. Everyone spent time relaxing after the festivities of Christmas and enjoying great food—all day. There were some excellent staff presentations about plankton, seabirds, and the history of National Geographic. With the winds picking up, New Zealand seabirds swarmed around the ship. As we bobbed and swayed south, the sun set on another ocean adventure. What a day!
12/27/2024
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National Geographic Orion
Noumea, New Caledonia
National Geographic Orion eased her way through a passage in the coral reef to reach a Melanesian paradise known as New Caledonia. After a short drive into the highlands, we were quickly reminded of the antiquity of this ancient piece of Gondwanan crust. The plants included a native cycad, whose fossil history predates the dinosaurs. The sprawling branches of the Cook’s pine bathed the forest walkways in luxurious dappled light, as we searched for equally intriguing bird life. We didn’t have to wait long before the feathered gems of the forest began to reveal themselves. The striking plumage of the emerald dove brilliantly reflected the morning light. Endemic white eyes raced from branch to branch, casually eluding the best of our photographers. Without warning, the prize of the forest emerged from the dense underbrush. A pair of kagu momentarily slipped into view while our photographers scrambled for their cameras. These enigmatic birds are the sole members of an obscure family, which may be most closely related to the South American sun bittern. Sporting a bright red bill with orange legs and silver plumage, the kagu is a stunning reminder that the remote corners of our planet hold some of earth’s best kept secrets.
