Glaciers were the order of the day as we passed Cordillera Darwin. No less than eight glaciers lined our way into the Beagle Channel, named for the famous expedition ship of Charles Darwin. First was the Romanche Glacier, which has receded in the last 22 years from a tidewater glacier to a spectacular hanging glacier, followed by German glacier, French glacier, and the only tidewater glacier of the group, the Italian Glacier. All of these glaciers were named for major countries involved with the 19th-century study of the transit of Venus.
We sighted Magellanic penguins in the water and several kelp goose families along the shoreline. Then a thrill as we spotted a large Andean condor perched nearby. Our captain brought us within 300 meters of this grand bird, affording us a fantastic view. We were thrilled to spot several more condors throughout the day. Black-browed albatross, southern giant petrels, sooty shearwaters, and more followed us out of the Beagle Channel as we enjoyed a reception with the Captain and his officers.
This evening's Captain's dinner was a gala affair with delicious food and an enjoyable time with the officers and fellow guests.
