"Discovery" is a word we use often on our expeditions, but it's especially exciting when literal discovery happens. Last week, our naturalists and guests observed a pod of whales off the coast of southwestern Svalbard, six of which had never before been identified. See our new cetacean friends below, and check out the rest of our favorite photos from the field! Get Inspired By Photos, Videos, Webinars, Stories, And Exclusive Offers. Sign Up
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Wild Peru Escape: Amazon & Machu Picchu, June 1, 2023
A capped heron chooses the perfect perching spot as an almost full moon rises during our journey up the Samiria River. We were on our way to search for caimans but couldn't help stopping for such a spectacle. —Morgan Heim, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor
Norway's Fjords and Arctic Svalbard, June 3, 2023
View from the hike to Måstadfjellet on Værøy. —Kirsa Nørregaard, Naturalist
Pearls of the Pacific: Exploring The Society and Tuamotu Islands, June 6, 2023
A beautiful sunset ended a wonderful day exploring the Tuamotus. —Maya Santangelo, Undersea Specialist
Wild Alaska Escape: LeConte Bay, Wrangell & the Misty Fjords, June 7, 2023
A Steller sea lion watches as the whale dives. Flukes up! —Ross Weinberg, Video Chronicler
Galápagos Aboard National Geographic Endeavour II, June 7, 2023
Blue-footed boobies fishing early in the morning. —Paulina Saa, Naturalist
Norway's Fjords and Arctic Svalbard, June 7, 2023
Curious walruses watch us as we watch them. —Jacqueline Weston, Naturalist (Photo by Doug Gould)
Pearls of the Pacific: Exploring The Society and Tuamotu Islands, June 7, 2023
White terns perched in Fakarava. —Mike Rigney, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor
Norway's Fjords and Arctic Svalbard, June 8, 2023
Sometimes the most magical moments happen when we least expect them to. Most of the ship was fast asleep when our expedition leader’s voice came over the PA at 01:37 a.m. There was a polar bear just off the bow of the ship, our second one in less than twelve hours. A parade of pajamas and fresh faces came scuttling out of the cabins towards the outer decks and the bridge to find the polar bear right in front of the ship. No binoculars required. —Eva Prendergast, Naturalist (Photo by Anne Hedlund)
Land Of The Ice Bears: An In-Depth Exploration Of Arctic Svalbard, June 9, 2023
National Geographic Endurance and common eiders in flight. —Giulia Ciampini, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor
Galápagos Aboard National Geographic Endeavour II, June 11, 2023
Waved albatrosses reunite with their lifelong mates for their yearly mating cycle. —Jason Heilmann, Undersea Specialist
Exploring Alaska's Coastal Wilderness, June 12, 2023
Bow scene with guests. The mountains in the distance are labeled using Peak Finder. —Katie McConnell, Naturalist
North Sea Voyage: Northern Europe and the Normandy Beaches, June 15, 2023
On a hike along the White Cliffs of Dover, our route was flanked by large meadows. The birdlife was a real treat, with superb views of peregrine falcons, goldfinches, fulmars, and more. We spent time at South Foreland Lighthouse, the first in the world to be electrified. —Conor Ryan, Naturalist
Land Of The Ice Bears: An In-Depth Exploration Of Arctic Svalbard, June 16, 2023
As always, life on board National Geographic Resolution is peppered with surprises, and this morning in Hornsund did not disappoint! We arose from our beds to find the soft blows of humpback whales surrounding our ship. Later, fluke identification through “Happy Whale” (happywhale.com) showed that we had spotted six humpback whales never before identified! New whales to science! What a magnificent start to the day. —Tim Martin, Naturalist
Exploring Alaska's Coastal Wilderness, June 16, 2023
The view from Jaw Point. —Andy Putnam, Naturalist
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