This week, our best photos from the field included portraits of wildlife, from sea turtles and endemic birds in the Galapagos Islands to Australasian gannets in New Zealand to penguins in the Antarctic. Check out our field staff's most memorable creature close-ups below.
Paranapura, Peru
Wild Peru Escape: Amazon and Machu Picchu, November 3, 2023
Yellow-headed caracara. —Ramiro Adrian, Naturalist
South Georgia Island
Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands, November 9, 2023
This time of year means one thing for sure in South Georgia. Bull fur seals cover just about every beach as they wait to impress a potential mate. —Nathan Kelley, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor
Barro Colorado Island, Panama
Panama and Colombia: Exploring the Caribbean Coast, November 10, 2023
Golden orb spider. —Joshua Hall, Naturalist
Santa Fe Island, Galápagos
Galápagos Aboard National Geographic Endeavour II, November 10, 2023
The Galapagos flycatcher starting the day at Santa Fe Island. —Omar Adrian, Naturalist
Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos
Wild Galápagos Escape , November 11, 2023
This Galápagos land iguana was under the bushes looking for shelter from the sun. —Cristian Villarroel, Naturalist
Floreana Island, Galápagos
Wild Galápagos Escape , November 12, 2023
A sea turtle observed while we snorkeled at Champion Islet. —Paul Vergara, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor
South Orkney Islands
Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands, November 12, 2023
A single Adélie penguin decorated in his or her “tuxedo outfit” of fine feathers. —John Pachuta, Naturalist
Española Island, Galápagos
Galápagos Aboard National Geographic Endeavour II, November 12, 2023
A small ground finch feeds among the saltbush, stripping small flowers from the branches. —Jason Heilmann, Undersea Specialist
Gisborne, New Zealand
Coastal New Zealand: Scenic Fjords, Māori History, and Abundant Wildlife, November 13, 2023
The town of Gisborne has just finished their new cruise ship dock, and we were the first ship to dock today! We’re going to have our eyes out for the local papers tomorrow since we were told we would be on the front page. The locals were so excited that they gave us a fish! —Kim Nesbitt, Undersea Specialist (Photo by Mike Desiderio)
Santa Fe Island, Galápagos
Wild Galápagos Escape , November 14, 2023
A sea lion rests under a Santa Fe prickly pear cactus with National Geographic Islander II in the background. —Paulina Saa, Naturalist
Napier, New Zealand
Coastal New Zealand: Scenic Fjords, Māori History, and Abundant Wildlife, November 14, 2023
Mother gannet and her newly hatched chick. —Kelly Coursey Gray, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor
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