Photos of the Week, August 12, 2022

From playful otters in Alaska, to majestic giant tortoises in the Galápagos Islands, to towering ice in the Arctic, here are the most memorable photos submitted by our field staff this week. Get Inspired By Photos, Videos, Webinars, Stories, And Exclusive Offers. Sign Up

For more dispatches from the field, check out our Daily Expedition Reports.

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Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos

Galápagos Aboard National Geographic Endeavour II, July 21, 2022

A wild giant tortoise posing nicely for a photo at “El Manzanillo Ranch.” —Anahi Concari, Naturalist

Bartolome Island, Galápagos

Galápagos Aboard National Geographic Endeavour II, July 28, 2022

A view of National Geographic Endeavour II from the path of Bartolome Island. —Jason Heilmann, Expedition Leader

Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness Area, Alaska

Wild Alaska Escape: Juneau to Ketchikan, July 27, 2022

The densest of all the icebergs that calve off from the face of the glacier appear to be clear. If you examine them closely, you may be able to detect layers of silt and debris embedded inside the ice. This dirt accumulates over long periods of time and can often be seen in the pieces of ice that break off from the lateral sides of the glacier. —Kelly Morgan, Undersea Specialist

Keku Islands, Alaska

Wild Alaska Escape: Juneau to Ketchikan, July 31, 2022

A sea otter dries off in the early morning sunlight. Steam rises from the otter, positioned so perfectly in front of National Geographic Sea Bird. —Nathan Kelley, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor

Inian Islands, Alaska

Wild Alaska Escape: Juneau to Ketchikan, July 31, 2022

A pair of sea otters in the kelp forest. —Mike Greenfelder, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor

Haines, Alaska

Wild Alaska Escape: Sitka to Juneau, August 4, 2022

Getting to see Alaska from the sky is an experience all should get to enjoy. Seeing the glaciers from an aerial perspective helps you understand them just a little more. —Nathan Kelley, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor

Skjoldunge Sunde, Greenland

Iceland & Greenland: Edge of the Arctic, August 5, 2022

Under impressive clouds and beautiful evening light after dinner, we circumnavigated a giant castle iceberg complete with caves and tunnels. —Edward Shaw, Naturalist

Qaqortoq, Greenland

Iceland & Greenland: Edge of the Arctic, August 7, 2022

The town of Qaqortoq. With about 3,000 inhabitants, this is the largest settlement in South Greenland. Its colorful houses and its setting in a well-covered bay make this a unique place. —Alex Searle, Naturalist