What a day! Brown Bluff is an extraordinary place. As we cruised toward the shore, we noted black and white movement—small forms walking up hills and shooting out of the water onto land. Adelie penguins and their chicks! These penguins live along the coast of Antarctica, and they have distinctive white rings around their eyes. We also observed gentoo penguins with their chicks. Gentoos are stockier, distinguishable by the bold white band between their eyes and over their heads. Excitement filled us as the penguins wandered past to carry out their duties during an eventful austral summer in Antarctica.
1/19/2025
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National Geographic Resolution
The Drake Passage
As we navigated north across the Drake Passage, conditions gradually improved and blue petrels and black-browed albatrosses graced our journey as visitors. John Pailthorpe delivered a captivating retelling of Shackleton's attempted crossing of the Antarctic continent, recounting the trials faced by those rugged men who cared little for comfort yet had a penchant for taking mortal risks. Following him, National Geographic Photographer Ralph Lee Hopkins shared some of the many future exploration options available to our guests through National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions. As we approached Tierra del Fuego, the seas calmed. Although the skies remained overcast, wildlife became increasingly abundant as we neared the entrance to the Beagle Channel. Captain Martin presented a fascinating overview of the construction of MV National Geographic Resolution and her impressive capabilities. As we entered the channel, we were greeted by hourglass and dusky dolphins while enjoying empanadas for teatime. Once we entered the Beagle, sailing was smooth all the way to Ushuaia.
