We woke to cloudy, misty skies, but this did not deter the enthusiasm of folks keen to get outdoors. Bushwhackers left on their three-hour-tour. They were amped for what they would find ashore. Casual and moderate hikers knew they were in for a good nature session along the tideline and into the forest along the edges of Security Bay. The kayakers kept it real and spent some time up close and personal with the watery world surrounding the ship. Each guest brought back stories of adventures as we sailed north in search of the bubble-netters. After a presentation by Jeff about the charismatic marine mammals we call humpbacks, we were finally treated to an excellent few sessions of whale watching, including some tail thrashing and bubble-net feeding. After dinner, a brown bear upstaged a few whales feeding very close to the ship. Despite the fine misty rain that came and went throughout the day, or perhaps enhanced by it, new sights and sounds added layer after layer to our already diverse list of experiences on the voyage thus far.
9/4/2024
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National Geographic Quest
Kelp Bay and Hidden Falls
It was drizzling a bit as we made our way to the scenic anchorage at Kelp Bay. Through the drizzle, we were excited to see a sow brown bear with her two cubs fishing for salmon in the stream! It was a fantastic start to an amazing day. Our guests went on some beautiful hikes through the dense temperate rainforest, which had the fresh scent of rain and evergreens. One of the hikes led to a muskeg and a huge beaver pond. It was worth the effort to get there. During lunch, we repositioned National Geographic Quest to a bay near Hidden Falls where there is a salmon hatchery. At the hatchery, the air buzzed with activity as brown bears, Steller sea lions, and birds feasted on the salmon schooling at the fish ladder. The massive bears of varying ages and sizes stood poised to strike at the wriggling fish. They snatch their prey in their powerful paws and jaws. This time of year, the bears are hyper focused on feeding, so they can replenish their reserves before their winters sleep. Our viewing of the bears was a thrilling reminder of nature’s raw and untamed beauty.