After a remarkably gentle crossing of the Drake Passage, we found ourselves in awe of the enormous icebergs all around the ship this morning. Set against a leaden grey sky, the blue hues in the ice looked superb. It is early season (springtime) on the Antarctic Peninsula. The phytoplankton has not yet bloomed, making for gin-clear seas and allowing for spectacular Zodiac cruises. We saw down into the sea clearly and observed submerged parts of icebergs. Some of us were lucky enough to hear the otherworldly song of a male leopard seal as he attempted to woo a mate in a narrow channel around Spert Island. We observed both killer whales and humpback whales in close quarters. This allowed us to capture useful scientific data to aid in photo-identification research. Scientists track the movements and longevity of whales using their naturally-occurring, unique markings. This evening, we are cruising gently down the Gerlache Strait as humpbacks spout and fluke in all directions.
1/19/2025
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National Geographic Resolution
The Drake Passage
As we navigated north across the Drake Passage, conditions gradually improved and blue petrels and black-browed albatrosses graced our journey as visitors. John Pailthorpe delivered a captivating retelling of Shackleton's attempted crossing of the Antarctic continent, recounting the trials faced by those rugged men who cared little for comfort yet had a penchant for taking mortal risks. Following him, National Geographic Photographer Ralph Lee Hopkins shared some of the many future exploration options available to our guests through National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions. As we approached Tierra del Fuego, the seas calmed. Although the skies remained overcast, wildlife became increasingly abundant as we neared the entrance to the Beagle Channel. Captain Martin presented a fascinating overview of the construction of MV National Geographic Resolution and her impressive capabilities. As we entered the channel, we were greeted by hourglass and dusky dolphins while enjoying empanadas for teatime. Once we entered the Beagle, sailing was smooth all the way to Ushuaia.
