We had a lovely day exploring two locations near Southern Baffin Island. It was a joy to spend time on this island that I call home and has been the home of my ancestors for millennia.
In the morning, we toured the coast of Monumental Island, admiring nearby icebergs while bundled up on Zodiacs. We spotted a polar bear, known in Inuktitut (Inuit language) as Nanuq, snoozing lazily atop the apex of a ridge. There were many quiet oohs and aahs and wide smiles as expedition members watched the sleeping animal.
After a Japanese-inspired lunch, we cruised over to Butterfly Island, known in Inuktitut as Tarralikitaq (this island was named by Charles Francis Hall in honor of an Inuk child he knew). Staff naturalists led walks to explore the land and lectured on natural features, like lichen, berries, driftwood, and even goose poop. One group spotted a polar bear in the distance!
It was a beautiful day.
