Recently received photos - April 2018

This Recent Photos Gallery for April starts off with a series of classic winter trips and transitions to spring with an increasingly warm theme to the destinations. Participant Jim Jackson photographed this iceberg on our first cruise to Antarctica in more than a decade -- and we're heading back in 2019! We'll also share images from Japan and Canada before moving onto Texas, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, two Colombia tours, two Guyana tours, a private Suriname tour, Ecuador, and finally Borneo.

Personal space really isn't a thing with King Penguins at a breeding colony. Photo by participant Kathy Brown.

We enjoyed close looks at adorable juveniles, like these Gentoo Penguins, in addition to staggering numbers. Photo by participant Anne Ardillo.

Participant Jim Jackson shared this lovely image of a tabular iceberg at sunrise.

King Penguins are trouble-makers. No doubt these three are up to no good. Photo by participant Kathy Brown.

Participant Jean Rigden captured this close-up of the specialized feet of a Chinstrap Penguin.

Kelp Geese are strongly sexually dimorphic. The rich, dark colors of the female are in sharp contrast to the immaculate white male. Photo by participant Kathy Brown.

A two-headed Adelie Penguin? Participant Kathy Brown caught these two at just the right moment.

Let's move to our Winter Japan tour, where arguably THE highlight is seeing Steller's Sea-Eagles well, so there's no better image to lead off our next set of images. Photo by guide Phil Gregory.

Those are the Rausu Mountains beyond this port community on the Shiretoko Peninsula. Photo by guide Phil Gregory.

Two of these Red-crowned Cranes appear to be running to catch up to the bird in the lead. Photo by guide Phil Gregory.

It was thrilling to find this Ural Owl asleep in its daytime roost. Photo by guide Phil Gregory.

One of the regional specialties we were excited to catch up to was this Japanese Wagtail. Photo by guide Phil Gregory.

Finding the endemic Japanese Green Woodpecker can be challenging, so this experience was memorable. Photo by guide Phil Gregory.

This Green Pheasant is doing its best to go unseen -- rather challenging with a red face in this setting! Photo by guide Phil Gregory.

It has been decades since a Common Crane has shown up in Hokkaido, so this was our most unexpected species there. Photo by guide Phil Gregory.

Our last wintry tour to highlight is Owlberta: Alberta's Owls & More. The majestic Great Gay Owl is the longest owl in North America, but it is mostly feathers. Both Snowy Owl and Great Horned Owl are heavier. Photo by participant Jonathan Slifkin.

Northern Hawk Owls are often found hunting during daylight. Photo by participant Don Taves.

The luxuriant coat of a Moose is more than enough to handle the bitter cold of a northern winter. Photo by participant Don Taves.

Short-eared Owls are quite crepuscular: active at dusk and dawn. Photo by participant Don Taves.

This Prairie Falcon, identified by its dark auxillaries, performed an impressive pursuit of Rock Pigeons. Photo by participant Don Taves.

Snowy Owl movements are primarily driven by prey abundance, and lemmings are their favorite food. Cyclical population fluctuations of lemmings mean Snowy Owls are on the move some winters more than others. Photo by participant Jonathan Slifkin.

The tour wasn't just owls -- we had some fun with waterfowl as well, including this handsome drake Redhead. Photo by participant Jonathan Slifkin.