Photos of the Week, November 3, 2023

In this week's photos from the field, Galápagos wildlife coexists peacefully with the residents of Santa Cruz Island; astounding biodiversity is on view beneath the Pacific Ocean; and a sunrise over California's Channel Islands National Park provides a stunning photo opportunity. Get Inspired By Photos, Videos, Webinars, Stories, And Exclusive Offers. Sign Up

Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos

Galápagos Aboard National Geographic Endeavour II, October 26, 2023

Giant tortoises can frequently be blamed for traffic backups when they decide to cross. Why? Ask the chicken. —Cindy Manning, Expedition Leader

Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands

Iconic Melanesia: New Guinea, Sepik River, and the Solomon Islands, October 26, 2023

On this voyage, we have experienced some of the best snorkeling and diving the planet has to offer. Today was no different. Fish life was abundant, and the coral was diverse and healthy. New critters were enjoyed by all. —Mike Greenfelder, Naturalist/CPI

Kiribati

Journey Across the Remote Pacific, October 27, 2023

The team of visiting scientists (Adi, Jet, and Kelly) have been out sampling across different remote islands and atolls in the South Pacific to record the diversity of phytoplankton. They collect data using various tools, such as a plankton net, a low-cost flow camera (the PlanktoScope), and a Niskin bottle. So far, their water samples are showing species of plankton like dinoflagellates, diatoms, and a number of zooplankton, all of which are consistent with the expected populations of plankton normally found in the tropics. —Andrian “Adi” Gajigan and Jun Jet Tai, Lindblad-National Geographic Visiting Scientists, and Kelly Blais, Grosvenor Fellow Alumnus

Puerto Ayora, Galápagos

Wild Galápagos Escape , October 28, 2023

This female sea lion was peacefully resting on the landing pier as we approached. This is how close our encounters with wildlife can be! —Adriana Aguirre, Naturalist

Clarkston, Washington

Columbia & Snake Rivers Journey, October 28, 2023

National Geographic Sea Bird faces her mirror image while at the dock in Clarkston, Washington, on the Snake River. —Linda M. Burback, Naturalist/CPI

Tierra del Fuego, Chile

Patagonia: Chilean Fjords and Argentina's Staten Island, October 29, 2023

Elephant seals on the beach in Jackson Bay. —Alex Searle, Expedition Leader

Panama Canal

Panama and Colombia: Exploring the Caribbean Coast, October 29, 2023

Sunset on the Panama Canal. —Giulia Ciampini, Naturalist/CPI

Niue Island

Journey Across the Remote Pacific, October 30, 2023

Our morning tour concluded at a chasm where an arm of the ocean formed a huge pool, and most of the guests went swimming in the refreshing blue water. —Joe Holliday, Naturalist