Bellsund
The word “arctic” actually is derived from the Greek word Arktos, meaning bear. We call these expeditions the Land of the Ice Bear. At this latitude we are constantly living under the constellation of the Great Bear, Ursa Major, although at this time of year, with 24 hours of light, we more feel it than see it. On this, our first full day of the expedition, we had two polar bears, one of which curtailed our landing in the Midterhuken area with its presence.
But if there is one thing that the Arctic can show us, it is to look at this magical world from a different perspective. We all see the world from our own eye-level; the challenge is to change our perspective, to see in new and exciting ways.
Very early this morning we encountered feeding fin whales and white-beaked dolphins off the continental shelf on Bellsund Banks. Peering into the calm green nutrient-rich waters from high atop the bridge deck allowed us to see and photograph these animals clearly. The high vantage point is sometimes the best one.
Coming into the protective arm of Bellsund to anchor for our afternoon exploration, we spotted minke whales as well as a small pod of belugas near the shoreline. At the beach itself we encountered a large group of adult barnacle geese in the middle of their molt, temporarily flightless while waiting for their new feathers to fill in. Water-level from the Zodiac turned out to be the best perspective from which to photograph the geese.
Perhaps the best view today came on the tundra itself during our hikes. Getting on our hands and knees and low to the ground allowed us to see this world through the perspective of a plant that needs to make a living here; stay low and close to the ground to avoid the high winds, bitter cold and heavy snow. With literally no plants in sight growing higher than a few inches, a ground-level perspective tells the story of the harshness of conditions here.
