Photos of the Week, February 3, 2023

This week's photos from the field were especially vibrant, from red and blue macaws in Costa Rica to ice-blue water in Antarctica to a gorgeous sunset off the coast of New Zealand. In Baja California, our naturalists and guests had close encounters with blue and gray whales.

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.

Puerto Los Gatos, Baja California, Mexico

Baja California: Among the Great Whales, January 20, 2023

red rock landscape with ocean in background

Puerto Los Gatos, a magnificent location on the peninsula of Baja California. —Adrian Cerda, Naturalist

Isla Magdalena, Baja California, Mexico

Wild Baja California Escape: The Whales of Magdalena Bay, January 21, 2023

While exploring the dunes of Isla Magdalena, we stumbled upon this beautiful coyote that briefly glanced at us. Unbothered by our presence, it took a rest in the flowers under the most beautiful light at sunset. —Lisa Hofmann, Naturalist

Española Island, Galápagos

Galápagos Aboard National Geographic Endeavour II, January 22, 2023

We encountered many Galapagos sea lions during our morning visit and afternoon hike, and they were one of the highlights of the day. In this picture, a pup relaxes on the beach after playing by the shoreline. —Salvador Cazar, Naturalist

Isla San Jose, Baja California, Mexico

Baja California: Among the Great Whales, January 22, 2023

Breakfast was wrapped up with whales sighted off the bow of National Geographic Venture. Two blue whales were in the waters around the ship near Isla San Jose. One of the blue whales made its way to the bow of the ship, providing everyone with close-up views of the biggest animal on earth. —Brandon Berry, Undersea Specialist

Macquarie Island, Australia

Southern Odyssey: New Zealand and the Subantarctic Islands, January 23, 2023

An inquisitive skua checks out its own reflection in Jayden’s lens. —Rodrigo Moterani, Video Chronicler (Photo by Jayden O’Neill)

Ranguana Caye, Belize

Wild Belize Escape: Wildlife, Reefs, and Rivers, January 23, 2023

Green moray saying hi to the divers. —Wilfred Mutrie, Naturalist (Photo by Katie Moh)

Paulet Island, Antarctica

Journey to Antarctica: The White Continent, January 23, 2023

A leopard seal guarding a large iceberg. This big leopard seal was spotted during our Zodiac cruise around Paulet Island. She was chilling in a pool inside a big iceberg. She looked at us a couple of times, and then she continued to float peacefully! —Javier Cotin, Naturalist

Coiba Island, Costa Rica

Costa Rica and the Panama Canal, January 25, 2023

Scarlet macaw. —Joshua Hall, Naturalist

Snares Islands, New Zealand

Southern Odyssey: New Zealand and the Subantarctic Islands, January 26, 2023

Expedition leader Lisle Gwynn cruises back towards National Geographic Orion after scouting the Snares at sunrise. —Jayden O’Neill, Naturalist

Bartolome Island, Galápagos

Galápagos Aboard National Geographic Endeavour II, January 26, 2023

Galapagos penguin with ship in background

Galápagos penguin with National Geographic Endeavour II in the background. —Mari Ramirez, Naturalist

Bahia Almejas, Baja California, Mexico

Wild Baja California Escape: The Whales of Magdalena Bay, January 26, 2023

It was “un-baleen-able”! An adult gray whale poked its head out of the water, opening its mouth to reveal the short, coarse baleen typical for this species of cetacean. Water spilled from the sides of its mouth as it slid back into the water. It was an incredible sight since we are not in their typical feeding grounds. —Emily Mall, Naturalist