Clavero Lake, Upper Amazon
Upper Amazon Aboard the Delfin II, January 17, 2022

From aboard the skiffs this morning, we spotted a cheerful and colorful flock of rose-fronted parakeets. We were delighted to see them frolicking around a narrow black water stream. These beautiful parakeets are not at all common. —Carlos Romero, Expedition Leader
Boca de Soledad, Baja California
Wild Baja Escape: The Whales of Magdalena Bay, January 21, 2022

National Geographic Sea Bird looked beautiful in the evening light on our return from our adventures in the Boca de Soledad and the nearby beach full of large sand dunes. —John Pachuta, Naturalist
Brown Bluff, Antarctica
Antarctica and Patagonia: Legendary Ice and Epic Fjords, January 21, 2022

Brown Bluff continental landing, adelie penguin highway. —Madalena Patacho, Naturalist
Española Island, Galápagos
Galápagos Aboard National Geographic Endeavour II, January 23, 2022

A couple of young sea lions were playing on the beach. This species of sea lion is endemic to Galapagos and makes up a large colony of over 12,000. Sea lions are playful, friendly and fun to watch. —Anahi Concari, Naturalist
Kidney Island, Falkland Islands
Epic Antarctica: South Sandwich Islands, South Georgia & the Peninsula, January 24, 2022

The highlight of the day was saved until the end. We headed to Kidney Island after a technical stop in Port William to pick up fresh produce. As the sun was setting, we watched thousands and thousands of sooty shearwaters stream in from the ocean to settle in their nesting sites. Birds filled the sky and covered the surface of the water around us. It was quite the spectacle. —Sue Forbes, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor
Danco Island, Antarctica
Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands, January 24, 2022

When identifying penguins, the key is looking at the heads, as the black backs and white fronts on the bodies are consistent throughout all the flightless Antarctic avians. The gentoo penguin is the only species on the peninsula with coloration on its beak. —Ian Strachan, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor
Lemaire Channel, Antarctica
Journey to Antarctica: The White Continent, January 25, 2022

Sunset at the end of Lemaire Channel. —Serguei Ponomarenko, Naturalist
El Barril, Baja California
Baja California and the Sea of Cortez: Among the Great Whales, January 25, 2022

The network of roots created by mangroves on shorelines is critical to shore protection, especially during severe weather events. If the network is removed, storm surges and erosion can tear away at the land. This would leave huge swaths of habitat vulnerable or destroyed. —Linda Burback, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor (photo by Dexter Sear)
Paradise Harbor, Antarctica
Epic Antarctica: South Sandwich Islands, South Georgia & the Peninsula, January 25, 2022

Upon arrival, the deft hands on the bridge of National Geographic Explorer carefully laid our bow against the rocky shore and held the ship in place with gentle engine thrusts. Their expertise enabled us to board our inflatable landing craft as surely as if we were tied to a dock. —Jim Pfitzer, Naturalist
Magdalena Island, Baja California
Baja California and the Sea of Cortez: Among the Great Whales, January 26, 2022

The beautiful dunes of Magdalena Island. —Adrian Cerda, Naturalist
Snake Caye, Belize
Belize to Tikal: Reefs, Rivers & Ruins of The Maya World, January 26, 2022

A good look at a parrotfish as it goes on its lunch break. —Wilfred Mutrie, Naturalist (photo by Jeff Litton)
James Ross Island, Antarctica
Journey to Antarctica: The White Continent, January 26, 2022

Crabeaters resting on an ice floe. Their flippers are folded so they do not lose heat. —Javier Cotin, Naturalist
Cocos Islet, Costa Rica
Wild Costa Rica Escape: Guanacaste’s Coral Reefs & Volcanic Peaks, January 26, 2022

Some guests decided to snorkel in the crystal waters. They spotted many kinds of tropical fish including parrotfish, surgeonfish, razz fish, trumpetfish, guinea pufferfish and bicolored parrotfish. They also observed green sea turtles swimming slowly along the reef. —Joshua Hall, Naturalist
New Island, Falkland Islands
Epic Antarctica: South Sandwich Islands, South Georgia & the Peninsula, January 26, 2022

A rockhopper penguin rests on shore between foraging trips. Their name comes from the penguins’ ability to negotiate steep and treacherous cliffs as they come and go to feed! —Rich Kirchner, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor