Spitsbergen
7:10 am: Ralph’s excited voice erupted from the PA, “Polar bears on the ice, an adult and cub...” After passing the latitude of 80°N during the night, by 3:00 am the Endeavour encountered the ice edge along the northeastern edge of Spitsbergen. Those who were not yet awake were lucky to have had the expedition staff on the bridge since the wee hours of the morning, diligently scanning the ice looking for wildlife. We approached these polar bears slowly, watching a healthy looking mother and cub as they lay resting on the pack ice. From their appearance it’s likely that they recently had a good meal, and were now resting. Perplexed by the slow advance of the ship, the cub sat up to look at us, and then rolled back to lean against its mother. We had excellent views as they lazed beside the contours of melt water pools reflecting the morning eastern sky.
After about 40 minutes we pulled back out of the pack ice and headed towards Sorgfjorden for a landing. During our transit, Stefan gave an entertaining slide presentation about polar bears.
In Sorgfjorden we landed on a beach of rocky shards backed by a broad expanse of flat tundra rimmed with distant steep mountain slopes. Near the beach there were round, pin-cushion-shaped growths of vibrant pink, moss campion flowers. Hikers headed off to stretch their legs and to view reindeer grazing far off on the flats. Meanwhile the photographers got a slower start crawling about the tundra on their hands and knees to photograph the many tundra wildflowers. Around us were stunning views of geology, glaciers, and dramatic clouds overhead. The simple tones of the landscape and the contrasting sky inspire us to explore the classic, yet dramatic style of black and white photography, now created from a digital color original image.
In the afternoon, as we headed back westward toward the northwest corner of Svalbard, Ian Bullock gave a great presentation on “Scaping a Living: Svalbard Ecology” followed by David Cothran’s fascinating talk and undersea video from the ship’s ROV (Remote Operated Vehicle).
In the lingering sun that circles us day and night, we gathered out on deck again after dinner to enjoy the glorious evening light along Svitjod glacier. This amazing day just goes on and on here far north of the arctic circle.
7:10 am: Ralph’s excited voice erupted from the PA, “Polar bears on the ice, an adult and cub...” After passing the latitude of 80°N during the night, by 3:00 am the Endeavour encountered the ice edge along the northeastern edge of Spitsbergen. Those who were not yet awake were lucky to have had the expedition staff on the bridge since the wee hours of the morning, diligently scanning the ice looking for wildlife. We approached these polar bears slowly, watching a healthy looking mother and cub as they lay resting on the pack ice. From their appearance it’s likely that they recently had a good meal, and were now resting. Perplexed by the slow advance of the ship, the cub sat up to look at us, and then rolled back to lean against its mother. We had excellent views as they lazed beside the contours of melt water pools reflecting the morning eastern sky.
After about 40 minutes we pulled back out of the pack ice and headed towards Sorgfjorden for a landing. During our transit, Stefan gave an entertaining slide presentation about polar bears.
In Sorgfjorden we landed on a beach of rocky shards backed by a broad expanse of flat tundra rimmed with distant steep mountain slopes. Near the beach there were round, pin-cushion-shaped growths of vibrant pink, moss campion flowers. Hikers headed off to stretch their legs and to view reindeer grazing far off on the flats. Meanwhile the photographers got a slower start crawling about the tundra on their hands and knees to photograph the many tundra wildflowers. Around us were stunning views of geology, glaciers, and dramatic clouds overhead. The simple tones of the landscape and the contrasting sky inspire us to explore the classic, yet dramatic style of black and white photography, now created from a digital color original image.
In the afternoon, as we headed back westward toward the northwest corner of Svalbard, Ian Bullock gave a great presentation on “Scaping a Living: Svalbard Ecology” followed by David Cothran’s fascinating talk and undersea video from the ship’s ROV (Remote Operated Vehicle).
In the lingering sun that circles us day and night, we gathered out on deck again after dinner to enjoy the glorious evening light along Svitjod glacier. This amazing day just goes on and on here far north of the arctic circle.
