We moved northward along the western Antarctic Peninsula and arrived at Neko Harbor in Andvord Bay in the morning. We were surrounded by dark mountains draped in snow and ice. The inexorable tug of gravity slowly sheds the ice into the bay, which is filled with icebergs and their wreckage of brash ice. We watched the expected gentoo penguins darting through the water and clambering ashore to their rocky colonies perched above. But the highlights of the day turned out to be the ice and the marine mammals we were able to observe during our Zodiac tours and from the outer decks of National Geographic Resolution.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 24 Feb 2024
Neko Harbor and Gerlache Strait, 2/24/2024, National Geographic Resolution
- Aboard the National Geographic Resolution
- Antarctica
Robert Edwards, Naturalist
Growing up in the Appalachian foothills of the Garden State, Rob instinctively knew it made a lot more sense to head over the hill into the fields, forests, lakes, and streams behind his house, rather than down the road to the shopping mall in front ...
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Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands
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3/10/2024
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National Geographic Resolution
New Island, Falkland Islands
With determination and a pinch of sorcery, expedition leader Bud Lehnhausen somehow found some great weather where lousy weather was forecast. On a day when the possibility of any landing was uncertain, we managed two! New Island is on the very west edge of the Falklands Archipelago, and there are two harbors on the east side that offer great protection from the swells of the Southern Ocean. With sandy beaches and rolling hills, the island offers a great diversity of wildlife and scenery. Highlights of our two landings included gentoo penguins, Magellanic penguins, black-browed albatross, and a good variety of ducks, geese, and shore birds. Tonight, we head west across the Southern Ocean towards the Beagle Channel and Ushuaia.
3/10/2024
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National Geographic Endurance
Port Egmont, Saunders Island
Today turned out to be stunning, from beginning to end. It began with a gorgeous sunrise – the huge sky was lit up with resplendent reds, oranges, and yellows, giving way to blues and indigos. The seas calmed as we made our way to Saunders Island. The first part of the morning was spent walking from Port Egmont to the main settlement. Port Egmont was the first British settlement in the Falkland Islands. The British were unaware of the French settlement at Port Louis on East Falkland, which was founded the year before in 1764. At the main settlement, we were treated to demonstrations of sheepshearing, a working sheepdog, and wool sorting. After wandering around for a bit, we headed to the landing area for lunch. This was a special affair – a lamb barbecue with copious salad choices and, of course, complemented with drinks. In the afternoon, we landed on a vast, stunning beach and walked to observe colonies of black-browed albatrosses, rockhopper penguins, and blue-eyed shags. It was a sensational afternoon. Today gave us a much clearer idea of what life is like in the "camp."