Svalbard in the Arctic - June 26, 2013

 Historic relic

Various groups walking along the shore and tundra

Willow trees less than an inch tall

We awoke on the east side of Svalbard in the Hinlopenstretet area.  During breakfast, Bud announced that there was a bear with two first year cubs off the bow.  Thinking they would be there for a while, I didn't jump up, but finished breakfast first.  Before I got outside, the bears had walked off.  So I missed these three bears in our count which is now up to eight.  During the morning, I attended a lesson on digital photography. We have Michael Melford on board, a very experienced National Geographic photographer, along with an impressive team of photographers to teach us and push us beyond our comfort zone.

Before lunch, we came to the cliffs filled with nesting birds.  A good spot to play with the camera for a bit.  After lunch, we sailed up to Lomfjorden where we were able to get off the ship for a long walk (3 hours).  The week prior, this fjord had been ice covered so the ship couldn’t get in the area.  Quite a change in a week.  Along our stroll, we saw an eider egg in its nest right on shore as well as two reindeer, a ptarmagian and several other birds which excited the birders in our group.