A cool mist hung low over National Geographic Sea Lion as we made our way through Icy Strait and turned south, hugging the rocky east coast of Chichagof Island. Chichagof is part of Alaska’s ABC Islands, which are known for their sweeping shoreline meadows, stunning temperate rainforests, and abundant wildlife. This area hosts robust sockeye, chum, and pink salmon runs plus thick brambles of salmonberries and thimbleberries, which support the dense brown bear populations these islands are famous for.
Zodiac’ing ashore for a morning of hiking and bushwhacking, we immediately found recent evidence of brown bears. Fresh scat dotted our trail almost the entire trek, and we took care to remain in close proximity to our hiking groups as we enjoyed some time in the glorious rainforest. As we trekked, we sampled salmonberries and thimbleberries and stopped periodically to peer across the meadow in search of wildlife. We were rewarded with multiple sightings of Sitka deer, river otters, and Alaska-sized banana slugs all around.
Upon return to the ship, our Global Explorers prepared for their Zodiac driving lessons with naturalists. After dinner, Paul debuted our guest slideshow, which reminded us all just how wonderful our week on National Geographic Sea Lion has been.
