The first full Svalbard expedition of the season. We left Longyearbyen, intent on wild and raw scenes.
The pack ice.
We headed south, to the dense ice in Storfjorden. Spending nearly 3 days, we scouted the ice for wildlife. Walrus, harp seals, and bearded seals graced us with their presence.
We parked in the ice and drifted overnight, while colorful sunsets graced the sky. The king of the Arctic, the king of Svalbard, failed to appear however.
But Svalbard is so much more than the wildlife.
Spending multiple days deep in the pack ice, experiencing incredible sunsets while one drifts with the wind and currents. Something unique to travelling on a small ice-strengthened ship like the MS Stockholm.
After an absolutely fantastic experience spent deep in the pack ice, we headed north.
Heading to Hornsund. A fjord in the south-west of Svalbard, home to beautiful landscapes. Sharp, jagged peaks rising above the sea.
And there it was. Our first polar bear, hunting seals deep in the fast ice at the back of the fjord.
A calm and peaceful scene, watching as it hunted, completely ignoring us as we kept a respectful distance.
But landscapes steal the show in a fjord such as Hornsund.
Fantastic peaks, glaciers, and moraines create an Arctic scene replete with photographic opportunities. And a ship as classic as the Stockholm provides an ample sense of scale and perspective.
Please note: Depending on the lens used for a photo or video shot an animal may appear to be closer than it is. We always follow strict wildlife guidelines to ensure that we do not cause any disturbance.
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© Beau Pruneau -
© Beau Pruneau -
© Beau Pruneau -
© Beau Pruneau -
© Beau Pruneau -
© Beau Pruneau -
© Beau Pruneau
