Svalbard – Off of Edgøya
The National Geographic Endeavour has entered into the high Arctic, and in doing so has come into the realm of the Isbjørn, or Ice Bear. Leaving Bear Island last evening, we headed North through the midnight sun, and on the horizon this morning was the Norwegian Archipelago of Svalbard.
The word Svalbard comes from the Viking word “Ice Coast.” As our expedition vessel brought us closer to land, the reason for the name became apparent, as a white line of ice appeared. Slowly we eased our way into and through the pack ice, and “Polar Fever” began to set in. This affliction affects many who visit the Arctic, as the extreme beauty of the natural surroundings sinks in, and soon the eyes begin to sparkle with excitement, just as the sun glistens off the ice. Polar Fever will bring the diseased back to the ice many times, and is often never cured. It is also anticipation that drives “Polar Fever,” anticipation of what might happen next in this unpredictable environment.
This morning the main question that was playing at everyone’s mind was “Will the Great King of the North show itself?” Shortly after breakfast this question was answered; there swimming ahead of the ship was an Isbjørn. What a spectacular sight to see this magnificent creature, our mouths dropping in awe, as this mammoth of muscle and fur pulled himself out of the water onto an ice flow. Standing there looking at us, he seemed to say “You’re in my world now.” Reluctantly leaving this animal, National Geographic Endeavour pushed further into the pack, everyone’s mind still on our first sighting, the mental images playing back in our heads. However, we did not have to wait long before a new image developed, as soon we spotted another bear, this one with a kill.
Polar bears are hunters of the ice, and so their main fare is seal. This bear had killed a harp seal (at this time only to be identified by the experts). A Polar bear might eat 1 seal every 3 or 4 days to maintain its weight, but only the most cunning of hunters are able to maintain this throughout the summer as the ice edge retreats.
Our initial immersion into the High Arctic has left us flabbergasted and giddy, our fevers rise higher and higher with every hour the sun is up.
The National Geographic Endeavour has entered into the high Arctic, and in doing so has come into the realm of the Isbjørn, or Ice Bear. Leaving Bear Island last evening, we headed North through the midnight sun, and on the horizon this morning was the Norwegian Archipelago of Svalbard.
The word Svalbard comes from the Viking word “Ice Coast.” As our expedition vessel brought us closer to land, the reason for the name became apparent, as a white line of ice appeared. Slowly we eased our way into and through the pack ice, and “Polar Fever” began to set in. This affliction affects many who visit the Arctic, as the extreme beauty of the natural surroundings sinks in, and soon the eyes begin to sparkle with excitement, just as the sun glistens off the ice. Polar Fever will bring the diseased back to the ice many times, and is often never cured. It is also anticipation that drives “Polar Fever,” anticipation of what might happen next in this unpredictable environment.
This morning the main question that was playing at everyone’s mind was “Will the Great King of the North show itself?” Shortly after breakfast this question was answered; there swimming ahead of the ship was an Isbjørn. What a spectacular sight to see this magnificent creature, our mouths dropping in awe, as this mammoth of muscle and fur pulled himself out of the water onto an ice flow. Standing there looking at us, he seemed to say “You’re in my world now.” Reluctantly leaving this animal, National Geographic Endeavour pushed further into the pack, everyone’s mind still on our first sighting, the mental images playing back in our heads. However, we did not have to wait long before a new image developed, as soon we spotted another bear, this one with a kill.
Polar bears are hunters of the ice, and so their main fare is seal. This bear had killed a harp seal (at this time only to be identified by the experts). A Polar bear might eat 1 seal every 3 or 4 days to maintain its weight, but only the most cunning of hunters are able to maintain this throughout the summer as the ice edge retreats.
Our initial immersion into the High Arctic has left us flabbergasted and giddy, our fevers rise higher and higher with every hour the sun is up.
