Haines, Alaska , 6/11/2022, National Geographic Sea Bird
Aboard the
National Geographic Sea Bird
Alaska
Alaska’s adventure capital certainly lives up to its name. While flight seers took to the air, river floaters took to the water, bikers took to the streets, and fly fishers cast their lines, our hikers took to the trails on a winding path through woods, coastline, and streams en route to Battery Point lookout.
Eric began work with Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic in 2006 as a means to see the world, work with great photographers and engage his environmental studies degree beyond the classroom. His initial years with the company were spent working t...
It was a glorious first day aboard National Geographic Sea Lion . Overnight, the ship transited from Juneau to Endicott Arm where we spent the majority of our day. Our first operation was a Zodiac cruise to Dawes Glacier where large groups of harbor seals bobbing between bergs stole the show. After lunch, we maneuvered toward the mouth of the fjord where we were treated to viewings of a cinnamon-colored black bear and a humpback repeatedly feeding at the surface. Following a lively recap, National Geographic Sea Lion found herself motoring toward Haines where a day of adventure awaits us tomorrow.
Nestled between the northern reaches of the Lynn Canal, eastern border of Glacier Bay National Park, and the outflow of the Chilkat river, Haines Alaska is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream come true. Today’s activities ranged from float trips down the Chilkat River, starting at the ancestral homeland of the Klukwan, to hiking and biking on the outskirts of town. Calm winds and lots of recent migratory arrivals made birdwatching an eventful bonus to many of these activities. A few of us took to the smaller freshwater rivers in search of aquatic species. Dolly Varden is a species of salmonid, related to salmon but not built to transition into saltwater environments like other anadromous fish like Coho or Chinook salmon. With local guides, our guests caught and released numerous Dolly Varden on their fly-fishing adventure. With the rain holding off for yet another day, we are off to a great start on this inaugural Southeast Alaska trip of the season for National Geographic Sea Bird .
Just outside of Sitka, we explored Emmons Island, home to old growth coastal temperate rainforests and a bog-like ecosystem called a muskeg. Signs of mammals are prevalent, from deer scat and skunk cabbage-nibbled leaves to deer and river otter tracks. We also enjoyed the water’s edge via Zodiac and kayak. Our Zodiac cruisers were fortunate to see a feeding humpback and lone brown bear, not to mention the numerous bald eagles flying by.
