This week's photos from the field included iconic bird species in the Galápagos Islands, a pod of dolphins in Baja California, and an underwater cave in the South Pacific.
Galápagos is like no other place on Earth, and being on expedition is unlike any other kind of travel. Here’s a look at the unique shape a given day might take.
Learn how guests aboard select voyages with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions can observe research and conservation in action through the Science at Sea program.
In this short film, learn more about the historic relationship between Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic and the way it shapes expeditions for guests.
National Geographic Quest anchored in front of the Curu Wildlife Refuge, a well-known place among naturalists for the wonderful wildlife sightings and the abundance of biodiversity density, and today was no exception. Our guests started the different walks with a troop of howler monkeys welcoming us and then as we walked throughout the refuge, more species were added to the list, including macaws, deer, coatis, and a white-faced capuchin just to mention some. In the afternoon, we repositioned our vessel in front of the beautiful Tortuga Island to enjoy our cocktail hour at the beach for a nice farewell to our guests.
Our first whole day in the Galapagos was perfect, spending the day on the amazing Santa Cruz Island. We disembarked at the pier of Puerto Ayora and we boarded a bus. Suddenly we were surrounded by green, lush vegetation in the highlands of Santa Cruz until we reached El Trapiche, a famous traditional sugarcane and coffee farm. It was a wonderful experience to learn how, in a very primitive way, they produce sugar, coffee, and of course their specialty, moonshine. Our guests had fun tasting this product. We continued our activities by visiting a magnificent lava tunnel and even walked through it! At the end of the morning we reached Los Gemelos, two stunning volcanic sinkholes approximately 1 km in diameter formed by the collapse of volcanic gas chambers. The landscape was breathtaking thanks in part to the unique scalesia pedunculata forest, a kind of plant that only exists in this area. It was lunchtime, so we went to a wonderful farm where we enjoyed a delicious lunch and then explored, looking for the great Galapagos giant tortoises. We had the chance to observe this reptile basking in the grass while eating their favorite food. This experience was incredible and was an excellent opportunity for very special pictures.
Today we awoke to the announcement that there were common dolphins near our ship. After breakfast, we went ashore to explore Fernandina Island, the youngest island in the archipelago and home to one of the largest aggregations of Galapagos marine iguanas. Following a great hike, we returned aboard and then went snorkeling with marine iguanas, penguins, and green sea turtles. In the afternoon, we explored the coast of Isabela Island and encountered Galapagos penguins, Galapagos flightless cormorants, and sea turtles. Later, we crossed the equatorial line while enjoying a great sunset.
Today was the last day of our expedition on National Geographic Explorer . We packed in several sightings of the iconic creatures of Antarctica in one landing. It was full of wildlife, with chinstrap and gentoo penguins, giant petrels, fur seals, and Antarctic terns showing their faces. We were able to walk around the penguin colonies at Fort Point in the South Shetland Islands. While some guests enjoyed walking among the penguins and fur seals, others had the opportunity to be on the Zodiacs to experience the wildlife from the water. It was a rainy end to our landing but that did not stop the fearless and, some would say crazy, 29 brave souls who did the polar plunge. Jumping from the Zodiacs into the freezing Antarctic waters is a tradition with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions. Dressed in her best penguin costume, Kimberly got everyone excited for the big jump. The world premiere of the guest slide show and the captains farewell ended the evening with smiles all around.
Like all good days of exploration, our morning started well before breakfast with a sighting of B2 killer whales, followed by a change of plans due to ice conditions at our desired landing. Quickly pivoting, the staff team scouted a new-to-Lindblad hiking location at Cape Bird, the southernmost point of the Tabarin Peninsula. Excited for an official continental landing, we meandered over black and red volcanic debris to reach the edge of a glacier and examined small marine creatures stranded on the beach by the last high tide. Snow flurries and wind picked up mid-day and reduced visibility, only making our Zodiac cruises around Devil Island more magical. Grounded pieces of sea and glacial ice created a sculpture garden to explore. Smells and sounds of the Adelie colony carried far from shore, and we delighted in watching penguins leap onto and dive off the icebergs. Multiple members of the National Geographic Endurance crew and staff previously worked at research stations on Antarctica, so this evening they shared stories and photos, deepening our appreciation of life on the continent.
