Ross Sea, Antarctica : In the Wake of Scott & Shackleton

The Ross Sea is Antarctica at its most uncompromising, a world of immense ice shelves, active volcanoes, shifting pack ice and wildlife that survives at the very edge of possibility. Retracing the routes of polar explorers Scott and Shackleton, this small-group expedition journeys deep into one of the most remote and biologically rich regions of the Antarctic continent. Led by award-winning wildlife photographer Rachel Bigsby in collaboration with Heritage Expeditions, the expedition combines extraordinary wildlife encounters with tailored photographic guidance designed to help you refine both technical ability and creative intent in one of the planet’s most demanding environments.

Expedition Highlights

• 28-day expedition voyage to the Ross Sea and Subantarctic Islands

• Approximately 10–12 days exploring Antarctica itself

• Limited to just 8 photographers for highly personalised tuition

• Photograph Adélie and Emperor Penguins in remote Antarctic colonies

• Opportunities for Orca, whale, and seal encounters along the ice edge

• Explore historic expedition sites linked to Scott, Shackleton, and Borchgrevink

• Visit the Subantarctic Islands: Macquarie, Campbell, Auckland Islands, and The Snares

• Photograph Wandering and Royal Albatross, petrels, prions, and other pelagic seabirds from the Southern Ocean

• Access to a private Zodiac for increased space and creative flexibility

• Onboard image reviews, photography sessions, and one-to-one guidance

• Creative techniques including high key, low key, and in-camera multiple exposures

• Strong emphasis on producing finished images in camera

The Ross Sea is almost beyond scale. Ice cliffs rise from the ocean like moving continents. Volcanoes smoulder above endless white horizons. Pack ice shifts constantly across the water, opening and closing access without warning. It is a place shaped entirely by weather, light, and survival; one of the last truly vast wildernesses left on Earth.

This expedition ventures deep into that environment. Travelling aboard the Heritage Adventurer, we follow the routes of the great polar explorers south through the Southern Ocean and into the Ross Sea itself. Conditions dictate the rhythm of the voyage. No two expeditions are ever the same. Ice, wildlife, and weather continually reshape the experience, creating opportunities that feel immediate and entirely dependent on the moment. The wildlife encounters here are extraordinary not only because of their rarity, but because of the landscapes they exist within. Adélie Penguins gather in immense, noisy colonies against black volcanic rock and snow. Emperor Penguins appear as solitary figures against the ice edge, almost surreal in their scale and presence. Weddell and Leopard Seals haul out across pressure ridges while Orca patrol the margins of the pack ice in search of opportunity. Equally powerful are the quieter moments: soft light across the Ross Ice Shelf at midnight, distant Snow Petrels crossing through fog, or the sudden stillness that follows heavy weather at sea. Before reaching Antarctica, the expedition also explores the Subantarctic Islands, some of the most wildlife-rich islands anywhere in the Southern Ocean. Here, Royal Penguins crowd the beaches of Macquarie Island in astonishing numbers, while Southern Royal Albatross soar effortlessly above Campbell Island’s cliffs. Sea lions, Giant Petrels, Skuas and flowering megaherbs create landscapes that feel entirely separate from the rest of the world. Long sea days are central to the experience between destinations. For wildlife photographers, the Southern Ocean offers some of the finest seabird photography on Earth. Wandering Albatross, Royal Albatross, Shearwaters, Prions, and Petrels follow the ship through immense weather systems, providing endless opportunities to refine flight photography and work with constantly changing light and sea conditions.

Throughout the expedition, Rachel offers tailored, in-field tuition shaped around each participant. Guidance is grounded in real conditions from photographing wildlife in difficult polar light to composing images that communicate atmosphere, scale, and isolation. You will work with Rachel’s distinctive creative techniques including high key and low key imagery, in-camera multiple exposures, and motion-based approaches such as intentional camera movement and shutter drag. Central to her teaching is a commitment to creating images in camera, refining light, composition, and timing in the field, rather than relying on post-production.

This is true expedition travel: long distances, unpredictable conditions, and extraordinary rewards for those willing to immerse themselves fully in one of the most powerful environments on Earth. 👉 For more information, please follow the link here: https://www.heritage-expeditions.com/rachel-bigsby/#season-rachel-2026-27-4

About Rachel

Rachel Bigsby is a wildlife photographer specialising in seabirds, known for work that balances visual impact with behavioural depth. Her images are shaped as much by observation and fieldcraft as they are by composition and light, an approach developed through years of independent study and time spent volunteering with seabirds in remote coastal environments. She is the winner of the 'Natural Artistry' category in Wildlife Photographer of the Year and Portfolio Winner of Bird Photographer of the Year. Her work has been published by organisations including National Geographic, and she is a Nikon Europe creator and RSPB ambassador. Rachel has photographed extensively across the Antarctic, subantarctic islands, the Falklands, the Arctic, and the British Isles, often working in challenging marine conditions. Alongside her photography, she lectures internationally, with talks hosted by institutions such as the Royal Geographical Society and the Natural History Museum. As an IAATO-certified expedition guide, licensed powerboat operator, and advanced first aid professional, she brings a high level of operational experience to her workshops. This ensures that participants are supported not only creatively, but practically, allowing them to focus fully on their work in the field. Her teaching combines tailored, in-field tuition with an emphasis on observation-led photography, helping participants develop a personal visual style while working with light, movement, behaviour and creative technique in a deliberate and considered way.