Today was a day of great anticipation for many of our guests. We visited yet another magnificent glacier, but this time we approached via a Zodiac boat. We are visiting South Sawyer Glacier, one of the most stunning in Southeast Alaska. We spent the morning exploring the ice field, gazing at breathtaking blue ice artworks — otherwise known as icebergs. Those glacier blues had everyone in awe. Experiencing the face of any glacier is beyond words. Arctic terns flew here and there, harbor seals speckled the ice field, and we found a small group of mountain goats scaling the fjord walls. As we slowly made our way back out of the fjord, we spotted a few black bears along the shoreline. To top the day off some brave guests took a “polar plunge” in the iceberg-chilled fjord waters. A perfect end to a perfect voyage.
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.