This week, our field staff sent in incredible photos of Indonesian wildlife in the air and under the water; encounters with nature and culture on the Amazon River in Brazil and Peru; and a surprising "celebrity" sighting in Oregon!
Pacaya River, Peru
Upper Amazon Aboard the Delfin II, October 4, 2023
Today we spotted the extraordinary sunbittern (Eurypyga helias). This slender neotropical bird species has strikingly patterned wings, which the male spreads in courtship and threat displays. Its long tail and full wings are beautifully marked in brown, yellow, black, and white. In flight, the sunbittern is one of the most stunning birds you can admire in the neotropical rainforests. —Carlos Romero, Expedition Leader
Carlsberg Fjord, Greenland
Iceland's Wild West Coast to East Greenland, October 4, 2023
Today became one of those incredible experiences that will long stay with us. It was packed with beauty, layer upon layer, until we were surrounded by the ethereal beauty of the aurora borealis dancing in the clear night sky. —Eduardo Shaw, Naturalist
South Plaza Island, Galápagos
Wild Galápagos & Peru Escape, October 5, 2023
An amazing moment captured this morning after visiting Plaza: a Nazca booby defending against the frigatebird that was trying to steal its catch. —Adriana Aguirre, Naturalist
Bartholomew Island, Galápagos
Galápagos Aboard National Geographic Endeavour II, October 5, 2023
While breakfast was served and the Zodiacs were peacefully tied to the stern, a local resident decided one would make the perfect spot to siesta. Until it wasn’t… —Cindy Manning, Expedition Leader
Belém, Brazil
Wild South America: Trinidad, Guyana, and Brazil, October 6, 2023
Very colorful boats are the local mode of transportation around the river! —Javier Cotin, Naturalist
Sucia Island, Washington
Exploring British Columbia and the San Juan Islands, October 6, 2023
A fog dome creates a subtle rainbow as it rolls across the ocean. —Leah Santini, Naturalist/Expedition Diver (Photo by Sharon Grainger)
Banda Neira, Indonesia
Colors of Indonesia: Corals, Komodos, & Vibrant Cultures, October 8, 2023
War canoes welcome us to Banda Neira. —Elise Lockton, Naturalist
Astoria, Oregon
Columbia & Snake Rivers Journey, October 8, 2023
In the early morning, we woke to say, “Look who our neighbor is!” Among the celebrities of boats, R/V Atlantis is near the top. This ship houses and deploys Alvin, the famous Human Operated Vehicle that has explored the Titanic, mapped hydrothermal vents, and visited other deep-sea attractions. We didn’t actually get to see the mighty little sub as it was tucked away under cover, but we knew Alvin was there. We can’t help but feel like we just rubbed elbows with Brad Pitt. —Kimberly Baldwin, Naturalist (Photo by Grace Winer)
At Sea from Sabah, Malasia to Sulawesi, Indonesia
Wonders of the Western Pacific: Orangutans, Sun Bears & the Coral Triangle, October 9, 2023
A couple of the many hundreds of flying fish we saw today, one of several species of the poorly known and studied family, Exocoetidae. These waters are the richest in the world. —Santiago Imberti, Naturalist
Pulau Gam, Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Colors of Indonesia: Corals, Komodos, & Vibrant Cultures, October 10, 2023
Just at dawn, we reached a hilltop with amphitheater seating pointed skyward. We had arrived at the display grounds for red birds-of-paradise. Our primary target soon made a noisy entrance: a crimson flash heading for the treetops. Over the next half hour, three of these gaudy males paraded through the high branches as they chased each other, preened, called, and shook impossibly long, wire-like plumes…all, unfortunately, in vain. Despite having a large audience, their desired audience (female red birds-of-paradise) never appeared, and they departed to feed. —Phil Chaon, Naturalist
Fortaleza, Brazil
Wild South America: Trinidad, Guyana, and Brazil, October 10, 2023
National Geographic Explorer docks at the port with views of the skyline of Fortaleza. —Jose Calvo, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor
Bunaken Marine Reserve, Sulawesi, Indonesia
Wonders of the Western Pacific: Orangutans, Sun Bears & the Coral Triangle, October 10, 2023
An above and below photograph of the green island of Bunakan and the beautiful reefs at Bunakan Marine Reserve. —Michael Nolan, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor
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