The extreme abundance of life that surrounds us here in Southeast Alaska is astounding. From the towering biomass of the temperate rainforests that earnestly cover the land, to the cold nutrient-rich waters being flushed in from the Pacific Ocean, there is something for all trophic levels. To compliment the diversity of flora and fauna, our morning expedition in Dundas Bay was similarly varied. Bright orange kayaks soon added a splash of color, along with a few more literal splashes, to the placid waters that are protected by rising peaks. Zodiacs zigged, zagged, and zoomed to expand and enhance our range of wildlife sightings. Meanwhile, a small but intrepid group of hikers braved some mud-and-moss-covered moose tracks to explore onshore. Back on the ship and underway, all this effort was rewarded with a hearty lunch and an afternoon treat, cruising out of Icy Strait to join the humpback whales in the suspiciously stalwart summer sunshine.
7/21/2024
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National Geographic Venture
Chichagof Island and the Inian Islands
We left Sitka last night under a low ceiling of clouds. At daybreak, the sun briefly punched through the clouds, illuminating the snowy peaks and calm waters of western Chichagof Island. The ship cruised into the lustrous scene and anchored in Lisianski Inlet. We dispersed to various beaches for different hikes, to experience the wilderness and introduce ourselves to the temperate rainforest and the Tongass National Forest. The tide was low, and many of the groups were able to admire sea stars and intertidal life in the landing zones. Following brunch, we made our way north to the Inian Islands. However, wind and fog prevented us from safely dropping Zodiacs for tours there. Our expedition leader pivoted, and we set course for a known humpback whale feeding area called Port Adolphus. Along the way, we were sidetracked by a small group of orcas! We pivoted again and tailed the whales at a respectful distance. After about an hour, we set course for the humpbacks, and we were rewarded with active groups of feeding, pectoral slapping, and occasionally breaching whales. The whale action didn’t end there — after dinner, we stopped for bubble-net feeding whales!
