Floreana Island, Galápagos
Galápagos Aboard National Geographic Endeavour II, March 6, 2023
The most amazing sighting was the flamingos performing their courtship dance. The flamingos in Galapagos are a subspecies of the American flamingo. There are only about 700 individuals in the entire archipelago, and we saw at least 60 of them today. Flamingos are unmistakable due to their color and size; they obtain their pink coloration from their main source of food, the tiny shrimp that are colloquially known as “sea monkeys.” These birds are indeed a favorite of many guests. —Roberta Schiess, Naturalist
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Vietnam and Cambodia: Along The Mekong River, including Angkor and Saigon, March 7, 2023
Today, the cannonball tree (Couroupita guianensis) is often associated with the origins of the Buddha in the Theravada countries of Southeast Asia. —David Brotherson, Cultural Specialist
Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos
Galápagos Aboard National Geographic Endeavour II, March 7, 2023
A capsized tortoise hatchling was learning the ropes through experience. Hatchlings often flip in this way, but after a lot of limb-flaying, they’re able to right themselves. In the enclosures, they’re often given a helping hand from the staff. —Paul McFarling, Naturalist
Lo Island, Vanuatu
Roots of the Pacific: Exploring New Zealand and Melanesia, March 9, 2023
A rainbow graces a massive tropical thunderhead. —Pepper Trail, Naturalist
My An Hung, Vietnam
Vietnam and Cambodia: Along The Mekong River, including Angkor and Saigon, March 9, 2023
It takes a dedicated crew to make The Jahan run smoothly, comfortably, and efficiently. We have been well taken care of during our sail down the Mekong River. —Linda M. Burback, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor
New Island, Falkland Islands
Atlantic Isles Discovery: From the Falklands to Madeira, March 11, 2023
Crested caracara portrait. —Edwardo Shaw, Naturalist
Owaraha, Solomon Islands
Roots of the Pacific: Exploring New Zealand and Melanesia, March 12, 2023
The warriors portraying birds in dance. Our guests were shaded from the sun beneath a shelter and treated to a truly remarkable experience of local heritage. As musicians in grass skirts played vibrant songs, throngs of dancers took center stage. The first songs told stories of butterflies, the collection of food, and life on the island. As the show went on it built to a battle of the mud men, with villagers covered in black mud defeating those in red for the favor of the women of the village. —Luke Manson, Naturalist
Saunders Island, Falkland Islands
South Georgia and the Falklands, March 12, 2023
A banded black-browed albatross lands. Individuals in this colony haven’t been banded in over 20 years, making this a potentially very old bird. —Jamie Coleman, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor
Santiago Island, Galápagos
Galápagos Aboard National Geographic Endeavour II, March 15, 2023
Galapagos flycatcher on Espumilla Beach.