Genovesa Island, Galápagos
Galápagos Aboard National Geographic Endeavour II, December 2, 2022
She watches us from the first fissure right after Prince Philip’s Steps. Who knows how long she has been there, or maybe it is a he? In Spanish, the word for owl is feminine, so I decide to call the owl a “she.” One guest passes by, then a second and a third. It takes us time to notice the presence of the short-eared owl. She is unmovable, not very curious about our presence. This is the beauty of the Galápagos Islands. We can share the islands with the animals, on land and in the sea, as if we are part of the animals’ everyday lives. —Paula Tagle, Expedition Leader (photo by Christian Saa)
Snow Hill Island, Antarctica
Journey to Antarctica: The White Continent, December 3, 2022
Raft of emperor penguins. —Jonathan Reid, Naturalist
Mikkelsen Harbour, Antarctica
Journey to Antarctica: The White Continent, December 5, 2022
Revived by lunch, we were ready for the landing that took place at Mikkelsen Harbour. The old whaling site is home to hundreds of gentoo penguins. These bright, active birds bobbled along penguin highways, conversed in their braying voices, and stole small stones from each other’s nests, barely seeming to notice the presence of strangers. —Karin Murray-Bergquist, Historian (Photo by Jamie Coleman)
Fish Islands, Antarctica
Journey to Antarctica: The White Continent, December 6, 2022
An Adélie penguin pauses on its way down the rocks to gaze across the water at National Geographic Endurance. —Ezra Siegel, Naturalist
Kokas, Indonesia
Exploring Indonesia: Bali, Raja Ampat and Papua New Guinea, December 8, 2022
Guests aboard National Geographic Orion visit ancient rock art sites near Kokas, Indonesia. —Lisa Hornak, Naturalist/Photographer
James Island, Galápagos
Wild Galápagos Escape, December 8, 2022
We were extremely lucky and spotted a juvenile Galápagos hawk perched in the mangrove. It was very curious about us but entirely unafraid of our presence. —Celso Montalvo, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor
Asmat, Indonesia
Exploring Indonesia: Bali, Raja Ampat and Papua New Guinea, December 10, 2022
Families in Per Village in the Asmat region of Indonesia get ready to greet guests of National Geographic Orion with a traditional canoe and dance celebration. —Lisa Hornak, Naturalist/Photographer
Drake Passage, Antarctica
Journey to Antarctica: The White Continent, December 10, 2022
Calm seas and clear skies for our first night at sea in the Drake Passage. —Maya Santangelo, Naturalist/Expedition Diver
Española Island, Galápagos
Galápagos Aboard National Geographic Endeavour II, December 11, 2022
A baby Galápagos sea lion hanging out with a marine iguana. While sea lion mothers are feeding at sea, their babies stay on land or play in the tidepools. Sometimes they get bored and play with marine iguanas. —Gianna Haro, Naturalist (Photo by Msc. Juan de Dios Morales)
Pourquoi Pas Island, Antarctica
Journey to Antarctica: The White Continent, December 14, 2022
After breakfast, we landed at an Adélie penguin colony. Some guests chose to stretch their legs during a longer hike. The penguins were on their nests, and we were fortunate enough to see the first of this year’s chicks. —Mairi Fenton, Naturalist (Photo by Ben Shulman)
Red Rock Ridge, Antarctica
Journey to Antarctica: The White Continent, December 15, 2022
Follow the leader! Adélie penguins run into the water after each other. Strength in numbers, these birds form a group and wait until one is brave enough to jump in. Once one penguin breaks the ice, the rest follow close behind. —Nathan Kelley, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor
Bartolomé, Galápagos
Galápagos Aboard National Geographic Endeavour II, December 15, 2022
A Galápagos penguin checks us out while swimming nearby! The penguin even pecked at our cameras and fins. These penguins are an endangered species, so the opportunity to snorkel with them is extra special. —Anahi Concari, Naturalist
Genovesa Island, Galápagos
Galápagos Aboard National Geographic Endeavour II, December 16, 2022
Galápagos mockingbird looking for some breakfast. —Omar Adrian, Naturalist
Utupua, Solomon Islands
Under The Southern Cross: New Zealand to Melanesia, December 19, 2022
National Geographic photographer Massimo Bassano photographing one of the dancers after the performance in Nembao. —Anna Mazurek, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor
