The Drake Passage is truly a birder’s paradise. Both the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean meet off Cape Horn, which provides our guests aboard National Geographic Orion the opportunity to see numerous species of oceanic birds. As an ecologist, I can truly say there is a cost benefit approach to sailing the Drake Passage. Calm days provide the opportunity to see whales, but without wind, bird enthusiasts are limited to less diversity. The great albatrosses and petrels use winds to glide over great distances in search for food. Less energy is needed on windy days. On calm days, the albatrosses rest floating on the surface to conserve energy. Today our guests encountered a southern giant petrel, a species commonly sighted throughout the Southern Ocean. They are the true scavengers, feeding on anything they can find. We also encountered a white-chinned shearwater and a beautiful group of cape petrels. Later that afternoon one of our naturalists, Tom Richie, presented an informative presentation on birds of the Southern Hemisphere. Just another beautiful day in the Drake!
2/28/2025
Read
National Geographic Resolution
Northbound Drake Passage, Cape Horn, and the Beagle Channel
This morning, we had a later start than usual after a late night enjoying the crew show. Our galley team gifted us with a fulfilling brunch. We then had a brilliant forum about climate change with the participation of our panel of experts onboard. Afterward, our expedition leader called us to the bow to see Cape Horn, which was only a few miles ahead. The good weather allowed us to have a smooth and fast crossing, allowing extra time to swing by Cape Horn, the most southern tip of the Americas. Over the PA system, Steven provided a very interesting description of the historical importance of this area, then Pablo read a beautiful poem, a memorial to the seaman lost at sea. We could see the monument in the distance, two metal sheets that depict an albatross in flight. During the afternoon, we enjoyed Madalena’s presentation about Women in Antarctica. This was an incredible voyage through the struggles and delays of allowing women to participate in science and logistics in Antarctica. We entered the Beagle Channel around 17:00 and we encountered black-browed albatrosses, cormorants, dolphins, and whales. On our final approach to the beautiful city of Ushuaia, we passed by Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse and some of the seals that live in the Bridges Islands Archipelago.
