I think I'd like to be a young fur seal in another life.
Never underestimate the view as you transit from one place to another in Antarctica. It can be tempting to squeeze in a rest, edit photos or just catch up with fellow expeditioners over a coffee. Just remember to occasionally look outside in case you're missing something like this!
Porpoising penguins for your Friday funny! These energetic gentoos were seen off Saunders Island in the Falklands.
South Georgia in March, where the occasional downpour is overshadowed by the playfulness of young fur seals. 🌧️
Have you ever been in a helicopter? How about on top of a glacier?
🚁
Some expeditions, like this one, offer sightseeing helicopter tours over the Arctic or Antarctic landscape.
GO GO GO! 🤣
Video by Derik Munson.
Just last month, we had the most beautiful day at Portal Point in Charlotte Bay with a light dusting of snow making everything glisten white. 🌟
How's that for a morning alarm!? Thanks to documentary filmmaker Mark Anthony Coger for sharing this male Elephant seal with us!
Happy World Penguin Day!
Did you know that penguins steal small stones from one another's nests in order to build up their own? It's also a strangely sweet courting gesture between a breeding pair.
🐧
In this hilarious video captured in Antarctica, you can see a thief in action! So naughty! #worldpenguinday
The Elephant seal's version of burping the alphabet!
🎥 by G Expedition guide Alex Cowan outside the cemetery gate in Grytviken, South Georgia.
Now this was a truly incredible whale sighting.
The Bowhead whale is one of three "true" Arctic whales, spending its entire year in the icy north. The species is named after its massive triangular skull, which is used to break through sea ice.
The Bowhead has the largest mouth of any animal, representing almost one third of the length of its body. It may also be the longest-lived mammal, with the ability to reach an age of more than 200 years.
We observed this Bowhead in the Franz Josef Land archipelago. You can very clearly see the size of its head and the groove of the neck before expanding out to the bulk of its body.
And can you tell what happened at the very end of the video?
Through our years of experience as polar guides, we have very rarely ever heard a polar bear vocalize. This mother and yearling approached icebreaker 50 let Pobedy, who was stopped in the ice on its way to the North Pole. The pair then paced back and forth along the side of the vessel while the cub roared in what was perhaps a combination of curiousity and young, growing temper. Fascinating!
The polar bear is the true King of the Arctic.
There are many ways and many places where you may be able to experience this charismatic creature. Our favourite by far is out on the sea ice, in its preferred habitat. Polar bears are solitary animals and spend their entire year either on or in search of sea ice... resting, roaming and hunting seals.
The Norwegian and Russian Arctic are two regions where you can find several expedition itineraries designed for this caliber of experience.
We made it! Happy Friday, everyone. I think we’re all feeling a little like this polar bear, right?! Plan something fun this weekend, you deserve it.
Here's an example of a "tricky" landing site and how an experienced expedition team works together to safely transport guests back to the ship from their time on shore. Well done Pernille and Guillermo and thanks to Expedition Guide Academy for sharing!
As a company of guides, we are missing being outdoors doing what we love. One of the best parts of our job is getting to mess around in rubber boats. We threw together this little video which shows some of the fun we have out on the water. Enjoy!
Today’s life lessons come all the way from South Georgia. 1. Always watch where you’re walking and 2. Sometimes it’s okay to say, “No selfies!”
Photographer Acacia Johnson sails through a rolling Drake Passage on her way to Antarctica, enjoying her porthole view. 🌊
It’s a brand new Monday and we’re kicking off another week of videos meant to give you a much-needed break and to make you smile. Anyone sympathising with this really, really dirty penguin who’s been forced by his partner to venture out for a bath?
