This week, our field staff sent back a number of beautiful wildlife shots such as bears in Alaska, birds in Galápagos, and musk oxen and arctic hares in the Canadian Arctic.
From a spectacular view of the Northern Lights in Alaska to the colors of Indonesia to a rainbow above Scotland, this week's photos from the field were especially vibrant.
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Sailing into Kotor, Montenegro is a breathtaking experience. As the ship glides through the narrow fjord-like Bay of Kotor, the towering mountains embrace the crystal-clear waters, creating a majestic natural amphitheater. The medieval town of Kotor slowly emerges, its ancient stone walls and red-tiled roofs a striking contrast against the lush green mountainsides. The air is filled with the scent of saltwater and pine trees, as the ship docks in the charming harbor. A short boat ride from Kotor leads to Gospa od Škrpjela (Our Lady of the Rocks), a tiny, man-made island steeped in legend. The island, crowned by a beautiful Catholic church, is said to have been created by sailors who laid stones in the water to honor an icon of the Virgin Mary. The church’s interior dazzles with intricate paintings and silver votive plaques, each one a token of gratitude for answered prayers. Surrounding the island is the calm, sapphire sea, reflecting the sun’s rays and the grandeur of the surrounding mountains. Visiting Gospa od Škrpjela offers a serene, spiritual pause, enhancing the timeless beauty of Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor.
Early this morning, Sea Cloud docked at the port of Durrës, Albania. After disembarking, we boarded a coach and began our journey inland, driving along scenic roads lined with olive trees and rolling hills. Our destination was Krujë, a historic town perched on a hillside. We soon reached Krujë, where we made our way to the famous Skanderbeg Castle, a fortress that once stood as the stronghold of Albania's national hero, Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg. We explored the grounds, walking through ancient stone pathways that offered stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Inside the castle, we visited the Skanderbeg Museum, which housed artifacts, weapons, and historical documents related to the hero's resistance against the Ottoman Empire. Our expert guide explained how Skanderbeg’s leadership had inspired Albanian unity and pride during the 15th century. A fascinating story of the bravery and the enduring legacy of Skanderbeg in Albania. After the tour, we strolled through the bustling bazaar at the base of the castle, admiring traditional handicrafts before heading back to Durrës, reflecting on the rich history we had just witnessed.
This morning, we woke up, grabbed our expedition gear, and embarked on our Zodiacs to go explore Plazas Islet. This place is home to a large colony of sea lions, plenty of land iguanas, marine iguanas, and also nesting swallow-tailed gulls. The islet is covered with the Galapagos carpet weed, which turns red during the dry season, and gives the islet a very exotic touch. We came back on time for a delicious breakfast, and later, we took some of our most adventurous guests to explore the area by Zodiac. During the afternoon, water activities took place on Santa Fe Island, and snorkeling with sea lions was such an incredible sighting for our guests. Later in the afternoon, we disembarked to a large colony of sea lions on the beach, put on our good walking shoes, and went to explore the rest of the trail, where pale land iguanas, mockingbirds, and other species could be observed and photographed. The highlight of the afternoon was for sure a couple of Galapagos hawks that were flying in the area. What a great day!
