Photos of the Week, August 25, 2023

Chichagof Island, Alaska

Exploring Alaska's Coastal Wilderness, August 16, 2023

National Geographic Venture anchored at the end of a rainbow. —Jeff Litton, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor

Santiago Island, Galápagos

Galápagos Aboard National Geographic Endeavour II, August 16, 2023

Marine iguana resting on lava rocks in Santiago Island, with a Sally Lightfoot crab crossing behind. —Ixora Berdonces, Naturalist

Glacier Bay, Alaska

Exploring Alaska's Coastal Wilderness, August 16, 2023

Our morning view at Johns Hopkins Glacier. —Ross Weinberg, Video Chronicler

Fernandina Island, Galápagos

Wild Galápagos Escape, August 16, 2023

Galapagos marine iguanas and National Geographic Islander II. —Jonathan Aguas, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor

Ilulissat, Greenland

Fabled Lands Of The North: Greenland to Newfoundland, August 17, 2023

Whale lunge feeding. —Nathan Kelley, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor

Pavlof Harbor, Alaska

Exploring Alaska's Coastal Wilderness, August 17, 2023

Bears are attracted to this area because of the salmon traveling upstream to spawn. We visited the stream by Zodiacs; the mouth empties into a large bay just downstream of a cascade where salmon congregate. Indeed, multiple coastal brown bears were attracted to the high volumes of salmon. A mother with two larger cubs born in the spring of 2022 waded through, occasionally catching a salmon in shallow water. —Alex Harper, Naturalist

Kopang, Western Timor, Indonesia

Kimberley Expedition: Northwest Australia & Indonesia, August 19, 2023

Our day commenced on the dock with a traditional dance by local people. —Martin Cohen, Naturalist

Qaanaaq, Greenland

Gateway to the Northwest Passage: Greenland & Canada, August 20, 2023

One of several inquisitive Greenland husky puppies that followed us around town. —Jamie Coleman, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor

Endicott Arm, Alaska

Wild Alaska Escape: Haines, the Inian Islands & Tracy Arm Fjord, August 20, 2023

Reflections off the bow. —Kimberly Baldwin, Naturalist

Floreana Island, Galápagos

Wild Galápagos Escape, August 20, 2023

Floreana Island is home to a diverse array of unique wildlife, and the presence of flamingos adds to its allure. With their vibrant pink plumage and distinctive curved beaks, these elegant birds grace the island's lagoons and shallow waters, creating a stunning contrast against the brown hues of the surrounding landscape. The flamingos' presence on Floreana Island is a testament to the incredible adaptability of nature; they have found a niche in the island's saline-rich lagoons where they feed on the brine shrimp that thrive in such conditions. —Anahi Concari, Naturalist

Floreana Island, Galápagos

Galápagos Aboard National Geographic Endeavour II, August 21, 2023

Flamingos at Punta Cormorant. —Roberta Schiess, Naturalist

Smith Sound, Newfoundland, Canada

Gateway to the Northwest Passage: Greenland & Canada, August 21, 2023

Just before lunch was announced, we spotted the nineteenth polar bear of the trip. We postponed lunch and began a slow approach to the bear. When we were a few hundred metres away, she got up and began moving towards us. Eventually, she approached within a few metres of the bow of the ship before strolling away, giving us a truly dramatic view of this magnificent predator. —Michael Jackson, Naturalist

Komodo Island, Indonesia

Kimberley Expedition: Northwest Australia & Indonesia, August 21, 2023

The famous Komodo dragon made for exciting photo opportunities throughout the morning. —Alex Krowiak, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor