This week, calm seas created a mirror effect that resulted in beautiful photos of wildlife and scenery in the Canadian Arctic, Alaska, and the Galápagos Islands. Our field staff also captured beautiful photos of nature and culture in Indonesia and Greenland.
Chichagof Island, Alaska
Exploring Alaska's Coastal Wilderness, August 16, 2023
National Geographic Venture anchored at the end of a rainbow. —Jeff Litton, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor
Santiago Island, Galápagos
Galápagos Aboard National Geographic Endeavour II, August 16, 2023
Marine iguana resting on lava rocks in Santiago Island, with a Sally Lightfoot crab crossing behind. —Ixora Berdonces, Naturalist
Glacier Bay, Alaska
Exploring Alaska's Coastal Wilderness, August 16, 2023
Our morning view at Johns Hopkins Glacier. —Ross Weinberg, Video Chronicler
Fernandina Island, Galápagos
Wild Galápagos Escape, August 16, 2023
Galapagos marine iguanas and National Geographic Islander II. —Jonathan Aguas, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor
Ilulissat, Greenland
Fabled Lands Of The North: Greenland to Newfoundland, August 17, 2023
Whale lunge feeding. —Nathan Kelley, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor
Pavlof Harbor, Alaska
Exploring Alaska's Coastal Wilderness, August 17, 2023
Bears are attracted to this area because of the salmon traveling upstream to spawn. We visited the stream by Zodiacs; the mouth empties into a large bay just downstream of a cascade where salmon congregate. Indeed, multiple coastal brown bears were attracted to the high volumes of salmon. A mother with two larger cubs born in the spring of 2022 waded through, occasionally catching a salmon in shallow water. —Alex Harper, Naturalist
Kopang, Western Timor, Indonesia
Kimberley Expedition: Northwest Australia & Indonesia, August 19, 2023
Our day commenced on the dock with a traditional dance by local people. —Martin Cohen, Naturalist
Qaanaaq, Greenland
Gateway to the Northwest Passage: Greenland & Canada, August 20, 2023
One of several inquisitive Greenland husky puppies that followed us around town. —Jamie Coleman, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor
Endicott Arm, Alaska
Wild Alaska Escape: Haines, the Inian Islands & Tracy Arm Fjord, August 20, 2023
Reflections off the bow. —Kimberly Baldwin, Naturalist
Floreana Island, Galápagos
Wild Galápagos Escape, August 20, 2023
Floreana Island is home to a diverse array of unique wildlife, and the presence of flamingos adds to its allure. With their vibrant pink plumage and distinctive curved beaks, these elegant birds grace the island's lagoons and shallow waters, creating a stunning contrast against the brown hues of the surrounding landscape. The flamingos' presence on Floreana Island is a testament to the incredible adaptability of nature; they have found a niche in the island's saline-rich lagoons where they feed on the brine shrimp that thrive in such conditions. —Anahi Concari, Naturalist
Floreana Island, Galápagos
Galápagos Aboard National Geographic Endeavour II, August 21, 2023
Flamingos at Punta Cormorant. —Roberta Schiess, Naturalist
Smith Sound, Newfoundland, Canada
Gateway to the Northwest Passage: Greenland & Canada, August 21, 2023
Just before lunch was announced, we spotted the nineteenth polar bear of the trip. We postponed lunch and began a slow approach to the bear. When we were a few hundred metres away, she got up and began moving towards us. Eventually, she approached within a few metres of the bow of the ship before strolling away, giving us a truly dramatic view of this magnificent predator. —Michael Jackson, Naturalist
Komodo Island, Indonesia
Kimberley Expedition: Northwest Australia & Indonesia, August 21, 2023
The famous Komodo dragon made for exciting photo opportunities throughout the morning. —Alex Krowiak, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor
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