Brown Bluff, Antarctica, 11/16/2024, National Geographic Endurance
Aboard the
National Geographic Endurance
Antarctica
Landfall! Guests of National Geographic Endurance made their first continental landing this morning while enjoying the penguin colony at Brown Bluff. A blustery Antarctic morning gave way to a peaceful afternoon of ethereal polar light as we walked on sea ice while surrounded by Weddell seals and curious Adelie penguins.
Jessie Johnson grew up in the high desert of the American West. An early love for environmental science and the outdoors morphed into a life focused on sharing her experiences through photography, film, and guiding. With a focus on marine mammals, Je...
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Our first day in Antarctica proper was spent in the history-rich Antarctic Sound. We navigated amidst towering icebergs and miles of sea ice, and with an extremely comfortable ship and endless sights to be seen from the outer decks, no one went to bed disappointed. We encountered countless Adelie penguins on and around the ice as well as numerous seals.
Traveling south aboard National Geographic Endurance , we ride the steady rhythm of the following seas toward Antarctica. Albatrosses, prions, and petrels accompany us, their effortless flight a constant presence above the waves. These seabirds, perfectly adapted to the harsh conditions, escort the ship through one of the most remote regions on earth. In the galley, preparations continue as usual, with the occasional clatter of a spatula against a pan punctuating the ship’s daily routines. This small sound offers a sense of normalcy amidst the vast and untamed Southern Ocean. Outside, the air sharpens, and the sea begins to hint at the icy landscapes ahead. As the ship presses on, the anticipation grows. The seabirds continue to follow, a living connection to the wilderness around us. Soon, icebergs will break the horizon, and the familiar blue of the ocean will give way to the stark whites of Antarctica. Each mile south reinforces the sense of entering a world where survival is a delicate balance, and every element of life must adapt to extremes. The journey promises discovery and an encounter with one of the planet’s last frontiers.
