• WorldView
  • 1 Min Read
  • 26 May 2023

Photos of the Week, May 26, 2023

As we explore the planet's wildest places, we know that the animals we encounter may not truly display human emotions, but their behaviors and expressions are always brimming with personality. From the iconic tortoises of the Galápagos Islands to wolves and otters in Alaska to manta rays in the Pacific Ocean, our guests and field staff on this week's expeditions got to know animals on land, in the air, and under the sea.  Get Inspired By Photos, Videos, Webinars, Stories, And Exclusive Offers. Sign Up

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

Have you recently traveled aboard one of our ships? Send us your favorite photo! We'd love to feature your favorite memory of your expedition.

Maude Island, British Columbia

A Remarkable Journey to Alaska, British Columbia, and Haida Gwaii, May 12, 2023

muddy stones covered in algae

Bedding layers of sedimentary rocks, sandstones and mudstones covered in algae. —Jamie Ramsdell, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor

 

Misty Fjords National Monument, Alaska

A Remarkable Journey to Alaska, British Columbia, and Haida Gwaii, May 13, 2023

mist-shrouded mountain

Indeed, “misty” adequately describes Misty Fjord, which annually receives 167 inches of rain. As we sailed through the upper portion of the Behm Canal, the mist provided an ever-changing palette of whites and grays, which enveloped the variable greens of cedars, spruce, and alders like a torn blanket, creating both a challenge and a delight for photographers. —Jim Coyer, Naturalist/Expedition Diver

 

Nauta Caño, Peru

Upper Amazon Aboard the Delfin II, May 15, 2023

the amazon river reflecting the sky at sunset

The afternoon skiff ride provided gorgeous skies and perfectly flat water for wildlife viewing. —Aaron Raymond, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor

 

Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska

A Remarkable Journey to Alaska, British Columbia, and Haida Gwaii, May 16, 2023

wolf standing on rocks

The call on the radio went out: Wolf! All eyes scanned the cobbled beach in Geike Inlet and found not one, but ultimately five wolves that eventually sublimated into the forest. —Brooke Jackson, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor

 

Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos

Galápagos Aboard National Geographic Endeavour II, May 16, 2023

tortoise in a mud puddle

A saddleback tortoise cooling off in the pond located in its corral at Darwin Station. What a great opportunity to see this giant tortoise type, which would normally be found on the dryer and flatter islands. —Karina Lopez, Naturalist

 

Belluda Caño, Peru

Upper Amazon Aboard the Delfin II, May 17, 2023

three-toed sloth in a tree

Almost as soon as we got into Belluda Caño, we found this three-toed sloth posing for us. —Aaron Raymond, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor

 

Inian Islands, Alaska

Exploring Alaska's Coastal Wilderness, May 17, 2023

two sea otters

Sea otters in a kelp forest near the Inian Islands. —Kelly Ferron, Naturalist (Photo by Alex Rubenstein)

 

Takaroa, French Polynesia

Ancient Polynesia: Tuamotu and Marquesas Islands, May 17, 2023

yellow fruits on a tree with a church in the background

Noni fruits have a strong and unappetizing smell, but they are purported to have many health benefits. As we walked through town, we noticed other, more familiar fruits growing in people’s yards, including bananas and papayas. —Berit Solstad, Naturalist

 

Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska

Treasures of the Inside Passage: Alaska and British Columbia, May 18, 2023

national geographic quest ship at sunset

National Geographic Quest tied up at Bartlett Cove’s dock in Glacier Bay as the sun sets over the Fairweather Mountains. —David Cannamore, Naturalist

 

Sombrero Chino, Galápagos

Galápagos Aboard National Geographic Endeavour II, May 18, 2023

hawkbill sea turtle under the water

At Sombrero Chino, we had chance to snorkel in an impressive underwater landscape where black lava meets the white sand. With great visibility, we saw sharks, rays, penguins, and of course, a great many fish. —Celso Montalvo, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor

 

Nuku Hiva, Marquesas

Ancient Polynesia: Tuamotu and Marquesas Islands, May 19, 2023

numerous guests watching dancers perform on top of a large rock

Guests of National Geographic Orion at the sacred banyan tree in Nuku Hiva watch a cultural dance performed by local Marquesan people. —Alex Joseph, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor

 

Inian Islands, Alaska

Wild Alaska Escape: Haines, the Inian Islands, and Tracy Arm Fjord, May 20, 2023

eagles fighting in midair

Four eagles competing over a rockfish. —Jamie Ramsdell, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor

 

Loen, Norway

Norway's Fjords and Arctic Svalbard, May 20, 2023

aerial view of norwegian coast with National Geographic Endurance anchored offshore

Our ship looking tiny from a high altitude. —Paul North, Undersea Specialist

 

Inian Islands, Alaska

Wild Alaska Escape: Haines, the Inian Islands, and Tracy Arm Fjord, May 20, 2023

blue iceberg

A small pool forms on the surface of a brilliant blue iceberg. —Eric Guth, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor

 

Fatu Hiva, Marquesas

Ancient Polynesia: Tuamotu and Marquesas Islands, May 22, 2023

diver next to colorful coral

Scuba diving in Fatu Hiva is a remarkable experience characterized by nutrient-rich waters filled with diverse marine life. —Christine Regent West, Undersea Specialist

 

Isabela Island, Galápagos

Galápagos Aboard National Geographic Endeavour II, May 22, 2023

view of National Geographic Endeavour II from inside a large natural cave on the beach

Among the most impressive geological features of Vicente Roca Point is this cave, the result of volcanic tuff being eroded by wave action over the years. —Karina Lopez, Naturalist

 

Ideal Cove, Alaska

Exploring Alaska's Coastal Wilderness, May 22, 2023

yellow kelp in foreground, guests and ship in background

Guests land bright and early at Ideal Cove, a beautiful beach landing bathed by the silty outflow of the nearby Stikine River and across from the Le Conte Glacier valley, the southernmost tidewater glacier in North America. Ice from the Le Conte sailing into Frederick Sound helped inspire the foundation of Petersburg: a perfect fish packing location to put freshly caught seafood on glacial ice for export to Seattle. —Patrick Webster, Undersea Specialist

 

Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos

Wild Galápagos Escape, May 22, 2023

galapagos tortoise

Galapagos giant tortoise “smiling.” —Bernardo Jacome, Naturalist

 

Moho Tani, Marquesas

Ancient Polynesia: Tuamotu and Marquesas Islands, May 23, 2023

divers and a manta ray

Finally, the mantas came out to meet everyone. —Adam Maire, Undersea Specialist