Every day at sea begins a bit slowly–a nice effort in recuperation from the previous expedition days. Guests aboard National Geographic Explorer most likely first stirred to expedition leader Mike’s voice at 8:30 a.m., with a gentle reminder that breakfast would be served until 9.
Sea days allow for a full presentation schedule, two in the morning and two in the afternoon, often interrupted by wildlife. The first lecture of the day was given by naturalist Santiago Imberti, an avid birder, about seabirds in the Arctic Ocean. He was followed by geologist Grace Winer, educating about glaciers and flow in Greenland and the Svalbard archipelago. Rich Reid, our National Geographic photographer aboard, went over the ins and outs of iPhone photography in the lounge after lunch, a tool most of the guests carry with them but may not know how to fully take advantage of. Our final presentation of the day was delivered by naturalist Magnus Forsberg pertaining to the contentious race for the North Pole and who actually was the first to arrive.
The ship moved on, through beautiful sea ice and fog, steaming towards Greenland. After a Recap from the expedition staff and a delicious dinner with friends, a wildlife surprise! Naturalist Magnus Forsberg found North Atlantic killer whales just off the bow. Though difficult to identify and not well described, the animals we found have dark saddle patches and upward pointing eye patches, tools used to identify specific type. This pod is probably focused on fish-eating, rather than mammal-eating, and travel all over the North Atlantic. Killer Whales hunt in family groups, always following the old matriarch. Males, in fact, though much larger and with a significant and impressive dorsal fin, never leave their mothers. These familial groups have separate dialects, specific diets, and complex hunting patterns and many learned, group-specific behaviors. To see such impressive and beautiful animals in such a remote location was certainly a treat! The whole pod of ~12 animals stuck near the ship for at least an hour, bow riding and hunting as a group.
After a long and relaxing day at sea, there is no better gift then spectacular wildlife for dessert.
