Blue skies, relatively calm seas, and an abundance of seabirds beckoned us on deck today as we steamed due south towards the western Antarctic Peninsula. It was surprising to see our first iceberg before entering the cold seas of the Southern Ocean. The towering berg partially collapsed before our eyes, creating a huge splash as we watched seabirds from the aft deck. Several brief snow showers descended on us as we approached the colder waters of the Southern Ocean at around 60 degrees south; the sea temperature dropped from 4.5 to 2 degrees Celsius. Now we are truly in the Southern Ocean! From Naturalist Doug Gualtieri, we learned about the seabirds that call this unforgiving environment their home. It was superb to be graced by the very species that he was talking about. Our species tally for the day was ten petrel and five albatross species.
11/14/2024
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National Geographic Endurance
Drake Passage
Traveling south aboard National Geographic Endurance , we ride the steady rhythm of the following seas toward Antarctica. Albatrosses, prions, and petrels accompany us, their effortless flight a constant presence above the waves. These seabirds, perfectly adapted to the harsh conditions, escort the ship through one of the most remote regions on earth. In the galley, preparations continue as usual, with the occasional clatter of a spatula against a pan punctuating the ship’s daily routines. This small sound offers a sense of normalcy amidst the vast and untamed Southern Ocean. Outside, the air sharpens, and the sea begins to hint at the icy landscapes ahead. As the ship presses on, the anticipation grows. The seabirds continue to follow, a living connection to the wilderness around us. Soon, icebergs will break the horizon, and the familiar blue of the ocean will give way to the stark whites of Antarctica. Each mile south reinforces the sense of entering a world where survival is a delicate balance, and every element of life must adapt to extremes. The journey promises discovery and an encounter with one of the planet’s last frontiers.
