The Drake Passage greeted us with a 25-knot headwind this morning, and National Geographic Endurance rolled with the waves as we made our way south. We had an escort of seabirds—albatrosses, petrels, and prions—soaring gracefully alongside, taking advantage of the ship’s air currents and the strong headwind. Their movements were a mesmerizing display of skill, perfectly adapted to the Southern Ocean environment.
By evening, the wind had eased, though the 3-meter swells remained. The surface of the water smoothed, and flashes of white streaked across it as birds turned on their wings, catching the sunlight.
The Drake Passage, so often known for its turbulent waters and intense storms, offered us this rare, peaceful moment. The gentle rhythm of the waves, the grace of the soaring birds, and the unending light of the Antarctic summer came together to create an evening of serene beauty. Not every crossing is so kind. Tomorrow, Antarctica.
