Day 1 & 2 – 17 & 18 April 2022 We started our expedition steaming out of Isfjorden in the evening. The first stop was in Kongsfjorden were we photographed icbergs covered in fresh snow and birds passing by. The light was nice even in the middle of the day, but we couldn't stay forever in Kongsfjorden - We had to get North into the drifting sea ice!
Day 4 – 20 April 2022 We didn't see any polar bears in the drifting sea ice, but on the northern shore of Spitsbergen we saw a polar bear walking along the shore. With great winter landscape, snow and icicles it was a dream coming true for many wildlife photographers in our group. A great day in the Arctic!
Day 5 – 21 April 2022 We had the opportunity to photograph a polar bear on the thin sea ice in great midnigth sun. The newly formed ice was not holding the polar bear for a long time and it had to swim most of the time. Later in the day we photographed walrus and seabirds in one of the nice fjords in northern parts of Spitsbergen.
Day 6 – 22 April 2022 After two great days (and nights) photographing Polar bears it was time to find other animals to photograph - and why not Walrus in backlit midnight sun and snow? We visited our "secret" Walrus winter spot and the light conditions in the evening gave us some of the best light conditions possible.
This was my first expedition with our new ship MS Virgo and it was a great experience. Thanks to our guests and partner for participating on this expedition! We really had some magic moments during this expedition.
Let us know if you want to travel with us on a similar photo expedition to Svalbard.
Text & photo: Ole J Liodden