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.
3/8/2023
Read
National Geographic Explorer
At Sea
We approached the Beagle Channel on our final day on board National Geographic Explorer . The winds had calmed, and the sun was shining. This resulted in the perfect opportunity to spot sei whales, which are often found in the waters of the Beagle Channel. Naturalist Sophie Van Der Hart provided us with the first lecture of the day, sharing insights about the evolution of whales. We learned how whales truly became the giants of our oceans. After lunch, climate change in the Antarctic was the topic for discussion. Naturalist Zac Brown guided us through the impacts this pristine environment is facing due to a rapidly changing climate and the things we can do to help. The afternoon’s activities came to a close with a delightful tea prepared by the hotel team. The captain’s farewell cocktail party gave us the chance to reflect on the expedition with a premiere of the guest slideshow. We celebrated a fantastic exploration of the Southern Ocean as the photos in the slideshow reminded us of the amazing wildlife and scenery we have witnessed along the way. Cheers!
