Barentsoya, Svalbard
If we have learned anything from our time in Svalbard, it is that we are but visitors here and that nature is in charge. We were reminded of this last night when our attempt to navigate the narrow passage of Hinlopen Strait was thwarted by pack ice. As a result, we are unable to cirumnavigate Spitsbergen, but must retrace our route to the south in order to return to Longyearbyen.
This was but a temporary setback and soon became an opportunity to explore some rarely visited locations. Today we made two landings on the island of Barentsoya and hiked over tundra under blue skies. Although we are at nearly 80 degrees north, the maritime climate here is relatively mild and Svalbard supports a diverse plant life for such a high latitude.
A little over 150 species may be found in the archipelago and today we encountered a variety of saxifrages, buttercups, the Arctic poppy and even a polar dandelion. However, due to a very short growing season none of them are tall – even the willows here are shorter than the grasses. So in order to really appreciate them it is necessary to get on your hands and knees. And since this is a photo expedition, today was a day to experiment with the macro lenses and get to grips with these tiny subjects, such as the bog saxifrage pictured.
If we have learned anything from our time in Svalbard, it is that we are but visitors here and that nature is in charge. We were reminded of this last night when our attempt to navigate the narrow passage of Hinlopen Strait was thwarted by pack ice. As a result, we are unable to cirumnavigate Spitsbergen, but must retrace our route to the south in order to return to Longyearbyen.
This was but a temporary setback and soon became an opportunity to explore some rarely visited locations. Today we made two landings on the island of Barentsoya and hiked over tundra under blue skies. Although we are at nearly 80 degrees north, the maritime climate here is relatively mild and Svalbard supports a diverse plant life for such a high latitude.
A little over 150 species may be found in the archipelago and today we encountered a variety of saxifrages, buttercups, the Arctic poppy and even a polar dandelion. However, due to a very short growing season none of them are tall – even the willows here are shorter than the grasses. So in order to really appreciate them it is necessary to get on your hands and knees. And since this is a photo expedition, today was a day to experiment with the macro lenses and get to grips with these tiny subjects, such as the bog saxifrage pictured.
