This trip wasn’t about ticking off a long list of wildlife sightings or firing off thousands of frames. It was about chasing Arctic light, slowing down, and experiencing one of the most remote, surreal landscapes on Earth. Svalbard Pre-Trip I’m so glad we arrived in Svalbard a few days before our expedition. It gave us […]
Svalbard’s remote and icy landscapes are home to a surprisingly rich bird community. Some were graceful, while others seemed almost clumsy. Birds of Svalbard Glaucous Gull Glaucous gulls are one of the most common seabirds in Svalbard — but I love any bird that is in focus and well lit. Ivory Gull The Ivory Gull […]
In 2025, Norway introduced stricter regulations on viewing polar bears in Svalbard, aimed at protecting the animals from unnecessary disturbance. The new rules require visitors to stay at least 500 meters away from polar bears between March 1 and June 30, and 300 meters from July 1 to February 28. While I completely support protecting […]
We were at the front of the ship photographing a walrus when, out of nowhere, a minke whale sighting! It surfaced right in front of the bow. We heard the explosive exhale first, then saw its head break the surface — so close I could barely react. I pointed frantically but the only thing that […]
My first bearded seal sighting was pure luck — and honestly, a little accidental. I was on the wrong side of the ship, scanning for a walrus, when a seal popped its head up out of the water. I assumed it was the walrus I was looking for, but later, when reviewing my photos, I […]
I’ve never seen a walrus before. It is risky to get your hopes up in wildlife photography, but I was REALLY hoping to capture photos of walrus on this trip. Svalbard didn’t disappoint. It is hard not to love these blubbery potatoes with tusks. We had several memorable walrus encounters throughout the trip. One of […]
Our very first wildlife sighting of the expedition were mum and calf harp seals — a species we hadn’t even expected to see. Even better, the conditions were absolutely magical. The sea was shrouded in a rare, thick mist, with the soft Arctic sun filtering through in hazy beams. My instinct is always to keep […]
Svalbard landscapes are a place of space, contrast, and silence. Mountains rise abruptly from the sea. Ice moves slowly, reshaping the coast over time. On still days, water mirrors the sky. On others, it disappears under a chaotic mosaic of floes. Svalbard is not a place of landmarks. It is a place of moods. Glaciers […]
When we started researching things to do, a snowmobile trip to East Svalbard kept being mentioned. My first thought? It sounded like a very long day — about 10 hours. My second thought? I had zero experience driving a snowmobile. But let’s be honest — this was probably a once-in-a-lifetime trip, and would provide a […]
We were hoping to see some land-based Arctic wildlife before boarding the ship, so we booked a half-day semi-private Svalbard photography tour with SeeAndExplore. It was also our first real test of our winter gear. I layered up with a Smartwool base layer (top and bottom), fleece pants, rain/wind pants, wool socks and snow boots, […]