Today was filled with the Antarctic trifecta of ice, penguins, and scenery. An adventurous morning at the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula allowed us to explore Brown Bluff from shore and by Zodiac. Countless Adelie and gentoo penguins paraded by on their busy day to day activities going to and from the water. By Zodiac, we enjoyed a fantastic cruise along the expanse of the penguin colony and what felt like a never-ending glacier face. The weather conditions continued in a dynamic fashion, with clouds parting to expose the dramatic geology of this region. As we made our way around Antarctic Sound in the afternoon towards the western Antarctic Peninsula, we enjoyed stories of Ancient Antarctica and Antarctic krill presented by our natural history staff team, making occasional detours to view and photograph spectacular icebergs.
11/29/2022
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National Geographic Endurance
At Sea
National Geographic Endurance set sail from the western edge of the Falkland Islands late last evening, and we enjoyed a relaxing day at sea. Guests were treated to smooth seas with plenty of albatrosses soaring about the vessel. The morning was full of educational opportunities. The undersea team shared photos collected while exploring the diverse underwater environments that the Falkland Islands provide. Next came a presentation by marine biologist Connor Ryan who spoke about the dynamics of how plankton and seabirds dictate the ecological rhythms of the upper layer of the ocean. Such a trip as we have had is certainly hard to summarize. Over the past three weeks, we visited some of the most spectacular and densely populated wildlife regions on our planet. Today was a day of reflection, photo editing, fine food, and contemplation of all that has occurred.
