This morning we awoke in the historic Straits of Magellan, named after the famous expedition on which they were discovered and during which Captain Juan Sebastian Elcano completed the first circumnavigation of the globe. We positioned the ship in the lee of Isla Carlos, Francisco Coloane Marine Park, and enjoyed a very pleasant Zodiac cruise in calm waters. Dolphins, geese, cormorants, turkey vultures, caracaras, and a kingfisher greeted us as we explored this wild island. After lunch, we navigated into the serene Lissan Cove and prepared the kayaks for a fun adventure. A few small islands were ours to enjoy for the day. Finally, our staff put on an entertaining recap to delight in the day’s journey.
2/17/2025
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National Geographic Resolution
At Sea
A day was spent at sea on National Geographic Resolution as the expedition to Patagonia and Antarctica approaches the end with our navigation across the Drake Passage to Ushuaia. It is a time for reflection for all those on board to refresh their memories and to view their photographs of the dramatic landscapes and the diverse wildlife we have witnessed while visiting these special places on our planet. We have been blessed with the weather over the last several weeks and, today, the Drake Passage is in a calm state in terms of swells, less than 2 meters. Several long-finned pilot whales were spotted from the bridge and, so too, five species of petrel and a light-mantled albatross. Fin whales, killer whales, and hourglass dolphins were also spotted. During the day, guests enjoyed a number of presentations, including “Tectonic Accidents-The geology of Antarctica” by Jackie Windh and “The Mighty Krill” by Anne Hedlund. Captain Martin Graser gave a presentation on the design and building of National Geographic Resolution , while our photographic team, led by Alex Joseph and Jennifer Davidson Meadows, compiled guests’ photographs for inclusion in the end of voyage slideshow that is planned for tomorrow evening.
