STEFAN LUNDGREN

Stefan Lundgren is the co-author and photographer of three books.  The first, Antarctica-In the interest of all Mankind, was named the WWF Book of the year in 1991. This was followed by Svalbard-the Land Beyond the North Cape and Antarctica-Souvenirs from the Seventh Continent.

Stefan was born in Sweden and left school at an early age to go traveling in Asia as a photo journalist.  He spent seven years in India, where he lived and worked with indigenous people to help build a school. He also worked part time as a sailor on Swedish merchant ships. His interest in natural history, especially life in the polar regions, grew during this period.  When he got the opportunity to work with the legendary Lars-Eric Lindblad aboard the Lindblad Explorer in remote areas like the Arctic and Antarctica, he jumped at the opportunity. In 1986, Stefan was selected to be part of the crew on a Swedish ice-vessel seeking to establish two scientific stations on remote Queen Maud's Land in east Antarctica.  This job was to last for seven seasons, during which he deepened his knowledge of natural history of the Southern Ocean. Albatrosses and petrels became his prime interest.  The ship spent much time in the heavy pack ice where he observed the behavior of seals and penguins.

During this period he also worked for Sven-Olof Lindblad mostly in the high Arctic as a naturalist.  After more than 25 seasons with Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic in Svalbard, his favorite topic to share with fellow travelers is the polar bears. In Antarctica, it’s the seabirds and penguins.  Aboard the ship you’ll find him on the bridge helping out to search and identify wildlife.  Zodiac cruises among the ice are a highlight for him, and he is always trying to find the best photographic opportunity for our guests.