National Geographic Resolution sailed west toward the Falklands immersed in fog. Birders were teased all morning with brief views of small petrels and albatrosses zipping in and out of visibility. After listening to naturalist Rob Edwards talk geology, guests headed outside. They were delighted to see that the fog had lifted, and three wandering albatrosses cruised effortlessly above the wake of the ship. It was the smaller birds that stole the show, though, with grey petrels, great shearwaters, and soft-plumaged petrels all showing off their agility in the winds. As the day progressed, we were joined by the first skuas of the passage, a sure sign that we are getting close to land.
3/9/2023
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National Geographic Resolution
Approaching Ushuaia
Any true voyage contains the element of return. As we approached South America, we reflected on our voyage thus far. Nearly three weeks ago, we cast our lines from Ushuaia and sailed towards the seventh continent. We saw corners of the world privy only to a few…truly special experiences that we will hold close for our lifetimes. Seabirds circled the ship, coming in and out of our wake to pay visits. These beautiful animals wander the ocean. They are at home at sea, an alien concept to us terrestrial animals. As the day progressed, the landscape began to unravel. Snowy peaks in the distance eventually gave way to a forested landscape, quite a shock as we had not seen proper trees in weeks! For our final wildlife encounter, we spent time with a group of killer whales. Our incredible ship and bridge team allowed close and personal views of these amazing animals. Aboard the ship, we hosted presentations with topics on photography and how to take observations from our voyage and share them with the scientific community. The hotel department pampered us with delicious treats. Our much-anticipated auction was a lively hit, raising money for our crew fund and conservation on South Georgia. In the afternoon, we met our pilots on the eastern edge of the Beagle Channel. Under their guidance, we will be dockside in a few hours, the same location we departed from three weeks ago. It feels like a lifetime has passed, bursting with countless memories. Memories we look forward to taking home with us and sharing with our loved ones and the world.
