Buenos Aires & At Sea
Our first full day aboard the National Geographic Explorer gave us a chance to explore this great expedition ship and get acquainted with the staff and one another.
After leaving Buenos Aires, with some fanfare and an amazing sunset, the ship headed southeast through the dredged channel maintained along the Rio de Plata. There was a stiff wind on our nose but the air temperature was quite pleasant as the ship continued along the east coast of Argentina. Once our mandatory ship drills were finished, there was a chance to meet the natural history staff.
After lunch Flip Nicklin, the National Geographic Photographer, gave a presentation illustrating the possibilities of photography on this expedition. Afterwards there was a breakout session where staff members helped get everyone’s camera set up for any photographic opportunities along the way.
From the bridge various seabirds made their way in the windy conditions. Shearwaters, terns, and even our first penguin sightings, Magellanic penguins, could be seen feeding in the choppy sea state. Later in the afternoon Richard White discussed the seabirds of the Southern Atlantic to get us all ready for future sightings.
