Woodfjorden
The weather was spectacular this morning as National Geographic Explorer had made her way around the north end of Spitsbergen Island and into Woodfjorden. The plan was loose; spotting wildlife was the key of the day. The shore fast ice (sea ice that is attached to land) has begun its annual breakup during this short summer here in Svalbard. The captain could easily take the ship into the melting ice in search of seals and hopefully polar bears, which are hunting the seals. Many many seals were seen lounging on the flat and white ice closer to shore. As the morning mist and fog lifted, one dot looked promising.
Finally it raised its head and the first polar bear of the trip had been sighted! It was not a “quality” bear, but not all bear sighting would fit into a glossy brochure. Later another bear was sighted even farther away, but as we were about to leave and shuffle everyone into the lounge for a talk on photography and the Arctic, a third bear was sighted—far away. This bear however was lying on melting ice and in the perfect light with the wind coming from the bear to the ship, ideal conditions for approaching a bear with the ship. The captian took his time and we were able to get very close to the bear as she lounged at the end of an ice melt water pool. She eventually got up and wandered off. Not the fattest of bears, but a “quality” animal for the photographers.
After lunch we relocated out of the ice for the afternoons activities of Zodiac cruises and kayaking in the mill pond waters and bright sunshine. Whether paddling or cruising amongst the melting ice, great views of sea and shore birds were had by many. A few bearded seals were even heard vocalizing in the water, a rare treat as the seals are wary in this part of the world. The afternoon ended with a polar plunge for the brave or foolish, whichever you may be.
