Revisit some of the most magical moments that guests experienced in 2024 aboard the National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions fleet in the wildest corners of the world.
This week's post includes photos of three different Antarctic penguin species, as well as two additional penguin species in the Galapagos Islands and Australia's Macquarie Island.
National Geographic Orion eased her way through a passage in the coral reef to reach a Melanesian paradise known as New Caledonia. After a short drive into the highlands, we were quickly reminded of the antiquity of this ancient piece of Gondwanan crust. The plants included a native cycad, whose fossil history predates the dinosaurs. The sprawling branches of the Cook’s pine bathed the forest walkways in luxurious dappled light, as we searched for equally intriguing bird life. We didn’t have to wait long before the feathered gems of the forest began to reveal themselves. The striking plumage of the emerald dove brilliantly reflected the morning light. Endemic white eyes raced from branch to branch, casually eluding the best of our photographers. Without warning, the prize of the forest emerged from the dense underbrush. A pair of kagu momentarily slipped into view while our photographers scrambled for their cameras. These enigmatic birds are the sole members of an obscure family, which may be most closely related to the South American sun bittern. Sporting a bright red bill with orange legs and silver plumage, the kagu is a stunning reminder that the remote corners of our planet hold some of earth’s best kept secrets.
The degree of endemism in Galapagos is very impressive, and every day we have the opportunity to meet a new species that lives in this part of the world. Today we met an iguana that lives only on this tiny island, making our guests’ experience even more unique. This archipelago brings wonder to all who visit, from the first moment one sets foot on land to the very last.
After a few days of packed activities from sunrise to sunset, today we relaxed on one of the shell-covered, sweeping beaches of Puerto Gato. Our guests had the opportunity to swim, kayak, beach stroll, or join a guided hike. After a morning of beach exploring, we repositioned to Isla San Jose where we hiked an arroyo to a slot canyon, marveling at the geology of the area. We ended the day with a gorgeous sunset.
Even with the strong winds across the Antarctic Peninsula this morning, we managed to bring the ship into a small area of shelter in Graham Passage for Zodiac cruising, and then we returned to our comfortable ship as the winds continued. In the afternoon, the wind died down and a pod of killer whales was spotted. Conditions were perfect for photographing them against the beautiful mountain backdrop.
The holiday season is special to us all, but it is especially meaningful to our incredible crew who spend months at sea away from their families and loved ones. The crew of National Geographic Orion is incredibly creative in showing us all their Christmas spirit and a much-loved tradition is the annual Christmas door decoration contest.
