After long days of anticipation, preparation, and airplane travel, it was great to begin our first full day of exploration and expedition aboard National Geographic Resolution. We have left Punta Arenas, Chile and travelled overnight to Seno Almirantazgo, a deep embayment on the west side of Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego, the largest island of the southern tip of South America. The island is remote and largely empty of the imprint of civilization. We were able to explore the beaches, flats, and forests left after the ice sheets retreated 20,000 years ago.
12/23/2022
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National Geographic Resolution
The Weddell Sea
This morning, we were woken up at 5:00 a.m. Over the intercom, our expedition leader’s calm voice let us know that over thirty killer whales were surfacing around the boat. Weary-eyed and full of wonder, we all watched in the absolute stillness of the morning as over five groups of killer whales hunted and frolicked around the bay. Some chased penguins, and others seemed to be enjoying family time with their youngsters. After breakfast, we went ashore on Devil Island to enjoy an Adelie penguin colony amidst the bergs. Some of us hiked up the ridgeline, and some of us stayed along the beach. We were all treated to lots of calving icebergs as the tide continued to lower throughout our morning operations. In the afternoon, we set foot on the peninsula proper and explored Bald Head. Many Weddell seals and gentoo penguins frolicked on the beach while we hiked over the hill to the overlook. Along the hike, we found two mummified seal carcasses and stopped to admire their amazing teeth, which have adapted for eating krill.
