Southward bound! National Geographic Orion steamed steadily toward the Australian exclave of Macquarie Island today. We had bright sunshine overhead and perfect wind as flying birds blew across the waves. We spent all day in the company of albatrosses and petrels, the world’s most impressive fliers. With wingspans of over ten feet, the southern royal albatross simply glides with ease in any wind. We were regaled with informative lectures by the natural history staff and treated to exquisite service by the crew. A very exciting day awaits us tomorrow at Macquarie Island.
12/21/2024
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National Geographic Orion
Great Barrier Island, New Zealand
Due North of Auckland, New Zealand lies a secluded archipelago known as the Bay of Islands. National Geographic Orion motored within this paradisical labyrinth to reach Great Barrier Island. A dedicated group of conservationists have been fighting a winning battle against invasive mammals for the last several decades. Today, our National Geographic-Lindblad explorers were the beneficiaries of this inspirational project. Awaiting our arrival on the docks was the highly endangered New Zealand brown teal. As if to thank the conservationists for his survival, the precious feathered wonder posed for photographs in the morning sun. As we meandered through floral gardens, we were serenaded by the New Zealand tui as they hopped from branch to branch in search of juicy nectar. After reaching the island’s summit, we were greeted by a Maori conservationist who explained the importance of the forest to his people. We eased our way through a canopy of ancient tree ferns to the prize of the forest, a giant kauri tree. It stood defiantly among the ferns as a testament to the island’s ecological recovery. A swaying canopy bridge allowed each participant to walk within touching distance of this marvel of the New Zealand forest.
