In this Expedition Spotlight, naturalist Steve Zeff reveals the vast beauty and natural wonders found in Northeast Greenland National Park, the largest national park in the world.
Navigation brought us to the largest island in the Galapagos Archipelago, Isabela. Holding half of all land mass in the Galapagos, it has a diverse selection of ecosystems that we were able to visit. Urvina Bay was geologically uplifted in the 1950’s, taking two square kilometers of seafloor that was thrust upward, in certain areas up to four meters out of the water. Intertidal species were stranded inland, and we walked upon this area. Galapagos giant tortoises and land iguanas were found on our trail, and we were surrounded by Darwin finches and Galapagos mockingbirds. The afternoon brought us to Tagus Cove where we explored the surrounding waters, encountering Galapagos penguins and Pacific green sea turtles swimming among the kayakers and snorkelers. As the sun dipped below the horizon, adventurous hikers took a fast-paced hike to enjoy an incredible view of Darwin Lake and the immense island of Isabela.
This morning, we anchored at Punta Vicente Roca, the mouth of the seahorse-shaped island, Isabela. The coastline holds a vast diversity of wildlife unique to the area, like the flightless cormorant. Later we moved to Punta Espinoza on Fernandina Island where we enjoyed the surprisingly warm water with sea lions, fish, and penguins. To finish the day, we explored Fernandina and were amazed by the number of marine iguanas in the area. We ended the day with an extra bonus, a beautiful sunset.
Today was filled with incredible experiences. SGang Gwaay is a strongly spiritual land full of important history and culture of the Haida people. The powerful story that unfolded on the island long ago is present on the shores and in the forest of SGang Gwaay. We were able to take a Zodiac cruise to view wildlife. Humpback whales blew spouts in the distance and bald eagles perched in the trees on the horizon. A highlight of our day was when the Haida watchmen led our group ashore to explain the mortuary poles and village. We are forever grateful to them for sharing this glimpse of their culture with us. It was a truly special day.
Our visit to Floreana was a magical and peaceful experience, from a pre breakfast Zodiac ride to kayaking and snorkeling before lunch. In the evening, we enjoyed a sunset hike with flamingos and amazing colors in the sky. Floreana Island welcomed us with unforgettable experiences. Photos by Ixora Berdonces and Walter Perez
Today’s journey took us to one of the oldest stone monuments of the British Isles. Formed from some of the oldest rock in the world, the Standing Stones of Calanais is located on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. Our morning began with a thrilling presentation by National Geographic Photographer and Filmmaker David Wright who answered our questions about his career filming wildlife across the globe and told stories of awe-inspiring encounters with nature and his many gripping near-death experiences. Following this, I gave an introduction to the history of Neolithic monuments and the significance of Calanais, helping us imagine the world of its builders some 5,000 years ago. After lunch, we went ashore to walk among the iconic and towering stones themselves, which sparked lively discussion and reflection on the beliefs and practices of Neolithic peoples. Some guests ventured beyond the main circle to explore the broader ritual landscape of Calanais, hiking through the peat and heather to visit other nearby megaliths that dot the surrounding fields. It was a moving day, one that connected us with our ancestors and the enduring mysteries of the ancient past.
