National Geographic Orion plied her way south across the Drake Passage today, nudged along by a building and impressive swell. We had the good fortune of sighting no less than three species of albatross: black-browed, grey-headed, and the wandering albatross. In between presentations on seabirds, the Antarctic Treaty, and whales, we took time to marvel from the aft deck at the seabirds racing by. Tomorrow we anticipate our first glimpse of land and ice in Antarctica: Excitement builds by the hour!