Haines, Alaska, 8/4/2022, National Geographic Sea Bird
Aboard the
National Geographic Sea Bird
Alaska
Today, National Geographic Sea Bird anchored outside the small town of Haines, Alaska for a full day of activities. Guests chose from a wide selection of options, ranging from flightseeing tours over the Chilkat Mountains and into Glacier Bay National Park, to bike rides, to river floats.
Nathan Kelley developed his love for nature as a kid at his family’s cabin in Northern Wisconsin. Family fishing trips, camping, hiking and a trip to his first National Park in the Everglades, all vigorously shaped his passion for the natural world. ...
The beautiful town of Haines was our destination for today’s many optional activities, or for independent exploration of the town itself. Those of us who went rafting down the Chilkat River first experienced the native culture at the village of Klukwan, where we learned about the Tlingit people and their customs. As we traveled down the Chilkat River afterward, we learned about the different ecosystem of this part of Southeast Alaska. As we floated we saw several bald eagles and some Arctic terns, and enjoyed the feeling of remoteness.
This morning the National Geographic Sea Lion navigated into Endicott Arm Fjord which extends over 30 miles to Dawes Glacier. The best way to explore this wonderful wilderness area was via our Zodiacs. As we moved closer to the face of Dawes Glacier, we witnessed how glaciers have carved the landscape. In addition, we spotted harbor seals, various gulls, mountain goats, and amazing icebergs and glacier calving. We were then welcomed back on board with hot cocoa and enjoyed two presentations by our naturalists: one on local geology and another on smartphone photography. While cruising out of Endicott Arm this afternoon, we spent time at the ship’s bow searching for wildlife and were rewarded with viewings of humpback whales, bears, and bald eagles. Finally in the evening, we gathered for a National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions tradition: a daily recap of the day’s highlights presented by our naturalists. Finally, we enjoyed a great dinner, sharing stories about our day’s adventures.
Our last day aboard National Geographic Sea Bird was one for the books. The morning started at Ushk Bay with kayaking and hiking along a meadow. Sea stars, sea cucumbers, and even an octopus were seen while kayaking. Meanwhile, the hikers made their way to a beaver’s dam and frolicked in flowers known as shooting stars. In the afternoon, we were headed for Emmons Island, but a couple of humpback whales stole the show, and we stopped to watch them feed. Eventually, we got to our destination for an afternoon of Zodiac cruising and a bushwhack. A mother bear and three cubs were seen by guests in a few lucky Zodiacs. As the evening came to a close, Southeast Alaska was clearly not done showing off its beauty. To end the night, Dall’s porpoises were seen “rooster-tailing” next to the ship. Peering over the bow, we observed a dozen porpoises seemingly playing among the waves as the ship made its way to Sitka.
