Today was filled with the Antarctic trifecta of ice, penguins, and scenery. An adventurous morning at the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula allowed us to explore Brown Bluff from shore and by Zodiac. Countless Adelie and gentoo penguins paraded by on their busy day to day activities going to and from the water. By Zodiac, we enjoyed a fantastic cruise along the expanse of the penguin colony and what felt like a never-ending glacier face. The weather conditions continued in a dynamic fashion, with clouds parting to expose the dramatic geology of this region. As we made our way around Antarctic Sound in the afternoon towards the western Antarctic Peninsula, we enjoyed stories of Ancient Antarctica and Antarctic krill presented by our natural history staff team, making occasional detours to view and photograph spectacular icebergs.
3/8/2023
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National Geographic Explorer
At Sea
We approached the Beagle Channel on our final day on board National Geographic Explorer . The winds had calmed, and the sun was shining. This resulted in the perfect opportunity to spot sei whales, which are often found in the waters of the Beagle Channel. Naturalist Sophie Van Der Hart provided us with the first lecture of the day, sharing insights about the evolution of whales. We learned how whales truly became the giants of our oceans. After lunch, climate change in the Antarctic was the topic for discussion. Naturalist Zac Brown guided us through the impacts this pristine environment is facing due to a rapidly changing climate and the things we can do to help. The afternoon’s activities came to a close with a delightful tea prepared by the hotel team. The captain’s farewell cocktail party gave us the chance to reflect on the expedition with a premiere of the guest slideshow. We celebrated a fantastic exploration of the Southern Ocean as the photos in the slideshow reminded us of the amazing wildlife and scenery we have witnessed along the way. Cheers!
