Cobbler’s Cove, South Georgia Island
Southern Patagonia: Glaciers, Fjords & Wildlife, February 19, 2022
With the cove’s spectacular geology on full display, our exciting morning ended with the view of a very unusual jelly, the giant phantom jelly! Normally, the jelly’s deep red colour makes it virtually invisible in the ocean depths of its usual home. This particular jelly was white and unfortunately expired, presumably brought to the surface by upwelling currents. This was a highly unusual sighting of the jelly, one of only 100 or so ever seen in the wild. —Erin Britton, Naturalist
Cerro Dragon, Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos
Galápagos Aboard National Geographic Endeavour II, February 23, 2022
Aerial view of Santa Cruz Island, Cerro Dragon. Drone photo by Josh Vela. —Celso Montalvo, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor
Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica
Costa Rica and the Panama Canal, February 24, 2022
Hyla rosembergii resting in the leaf litter at the edge of the path. Dolphin Quest, Dulce Gulf, Puntarenas. —Maguil Céspedes Castro, Naturalist
Genovesa Island, Galápagos
Galápagos Aboard National Geographic Endeavour II, February 25, 2022
Two sea lions on Darwin’s Bay. It is the last light of the day and baby sea lions are looking for their mom to nurse them. —Ixora Berdonces, Naturalist
Pebble Island, Falkland Islands
Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands, February 25, 2022
Early in the morning, a guest alerted the field staff that a small bird had landed on the back deck. Our naturalist handled the Wilson’s storm petrel with care as she inspected it for injuries before successfully releasing it off the back of the ship. (Photo by Jared Funderburk) —Nathan Kelley, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor
Bahia Almejas, Baja California
Wild Baja Escape: The Whales of Magdalena Bay, February 28, 2022
A surfacing gray whale provides not just one, but two pangas with excellent photo opportunities. —Lauren Buchholz, Naturalist, Certified Photo Instructor
Cuajiniquil Beach, Costa Rica
Wild Costa Rica Escape: Guanacaste’s Coral Reefs & Volcanic Peaks, February 28, 2022
White-necked puffbird on a low perch on Cuajiniquil Road. —Gustavo Abarca, Expedition Leader (photo by Jose Calvo)
Fernandina Island, Galápagos
Galápagos Aboard National Geographic Endeavour II, February 28, 2022
Marine iguana and lava lizard on its head. —Jonathan Aguas, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor
North Seymour Island, Galápagos
Wild Galápagos Escape, February 28, 2022
Along the path, we spotted a few blue-footed booby couples as they danced to fall in love. The wildlife is abundant and with every step, we found a creature that surprised our intrepid explorers. —Christian Saa, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor
Acklins Island, Bahamas
Exploring the Bahamas’ Out Islands: Natural Wonders & Hidden History, March 2, 2022
Once everyone finished talking with our local hosts, we were invited to board National Geographic Sea Lion’s Zodiacs for a tour through a nearby mangrove river system. The “river” is a series of saltwater channels where mangroves grow in the dense forest. The tide was falling, so our ride was a careful meander through a mangrove forest with channels of saltwater that were rich in life! —Sharon Grainger, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor
Zapotal Beach, Costa Rica
Wild Costa Rica Escape: Guanacaste’s Coral Reefs & Volcanic Peaks, March 2, 2022
On a beautiful morning, we arrived at a small bay in front of Zapotal Beach. After National Geographic Quest anchored, we started our exploration activities. Those who went for a walk on the mainland found howler monkeys, green iguanas, pale woodpeckers, and many other typical birds of the dry forest. —Maguil Céspedes Castro, Naturalist (photo by Jose Calvo)
