After our amazing nighttime visit in search of thousands of slender-billed prions returning to their nests, we discovered New Island in daylight. We spent the morning getting acquainted with rockhopper penguins, black-browed albatross, and blue-eyed shags, among many other bird species that nest in this private preserve. In the afternoon, some of us hiked across the island to see a gentoo penguin colony while others arrived there by ship, which was repositioned to meet us at the end of the hike.
10/23/2024
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National Geographic Endurance
At Sea and the Beagle Channel
The last day of an expedition is always a mix of feelings. There is the rush to pack and get last minute things done, combined with a cascade of emotions from all that has been experienced during a once in a lifetime journey. The sunrise was colorful, the seas calm, and seabirds dotted the skies around National Geographic Endurance. Throughout the day there were a number of presentations and during lunch we were able to enjoy the stunning mountains of Isla de los Estados off our port side. Teatime was a superb occasion! There was an impressive choice of cheeses, crackers, vegetable sticks, and jams all paired with a selection of wines. On our port side, a rainbow appeared over the gray seas. During dinner and throughout the evening, we sailed along the Beagle Channel and past the Bay of Good Success. It was from here that a 23-year-old man wrote in a letter home, “I have decided to dedicate myself to natural history and hope to make some small contribution to it.” His name was Charles Darwin.
