Daily Expedition Reports
08 Feb 2019

Paradise Harbor & Port Lockroy, 2/8/2019, National Geographic Orion

Aboard the National Geographic Orion
Antarctica

Today was actioned-packed, from the bright Antarctic dawn to the late Antarctic dusk. We cruised through Paradise Harbor in the morning, where we caught glimpses of icebergs bathed in the crisp sunlight of the early morning. We boarded Zodiacs for close-up views of shags. We visited the museum at Port Lockroy and the nesting gentoo penguins at Jougla Point, and this was all before cruising through the Lemaire Channel as the evening light illuminated the peaks. Watching the light transform this rugged landscape from dawn to dusk brings on a sense of joy not easily matched.

Article by

Brett Garner, Naturalist/Expedition Diver

Brett is a photographer, marine biologist, and educator from California. He is happiest underwater with camera in hand working to inspire marine conservation. He has worked and traveled extensively throughout the Americas, Asia, Oceania, and the Midd...

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Almost home. Land is in sight as we complete our crossing of the Drake Passage and draw within view of Cape Horn. As sunrise begins to illuminate the clouds, we see the blinking light of the Cabo de Hornos lighthouse. Expedition leader Lucho tells us about the poignant albatross sculpture dedicated to lost mariners and reads us the associated poem in Spanish and English. We are sailing in sheltered waters now, and the sea has reached the balmy temperature of more than 7° C. The seabirds we have learned to recognize in the open ocean–albatrosses, petrels, and prions–are now joined by others, such as imperial shags from Patagonia. Fur seals are once again frolicking near the ship. With formalities complete, there is time for a last series of presentations from our expedition staff, including: a lively account of the world-defining voyage of Ferdinand Magellan by naturalist Madalena Patacho, intriguing ‘Behind the Scenes’ insights into the life of an undersea specialist from Brett Garner, and more about the famous Endurance expedition under the leadership of Sir Ernest Shackleton. After making time for some excellent afternoon Swedish pancakes, we sailed the remaining stretch along the Beagle Channel and came at last to port in Ushuaia. We gathered in the lounge for farewell cocktails with our captain. We celebrated the wonders we experienced over the last ten days, the good friends we traveled with and with whom we shared our discovery of the Antarctic, and the glorious land of Antarctica–the seascapes, history, and wildlife. Where will we travel next? Photo caption: An avian harbinger of the coming day. Photo by Steve Backus

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Paradise Harbor & Port Lockroy, 2/8/2019, National Geographic Orion

Brett Garner, Naturalist/Expedition Diver

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