Chichagof and Inian Islands

This morning we woke up in Idaho Inlet on the northern edge of Chichagof Island. Today was a typical Southeast Alaska day, where the clouds meet the mountains and the mountains meet the sea. Only here in Alaska can you find the perfect blend of these three ingredients; the recipe of earth in perfect and equal amounts.

As the sun fought through the marine layer, we left the National Geographic Sea Bird and headed ashore. Here on land we found evidence of an animal that has dominated this domain forever. As we hiked along Fox Creek and the surrounding muskeg, we found signs of brown bears everywhere we looked. First it was scat, then large divots in the ground left behind by their heavy paws. These imprints have been left behind for centuries by bears that have passed through the exact same trails we were using today. To walk in the footsteps of this massive creature was humbling. We stared up at their rubbing trees to see gigantic scratch marks as high as 10 feet above the ground. The bears’ presence dominated the landscape and filled our hearts, knowing we were in an ecosystem that was home to a healthy population of coastal brown bears.

After lunch we loaded into Zodiacs for a tour of the Inian Islands and were immediately welcomed by sea otters and seabirds. Waves of the Pacific Ocean crashed into the rugged shoreline as we scoured the shore in search of wildlife. Eagles were everywhere we looked, dominating the sky and treetops. The rocky shores came to life as we rounded the corner where Steller sea lions stood like statues on the rocks, roaring and growling as we looked on in awe. The brown bears of the area appear dwarfed in comparison to some of these massive male sea lions. In Alaska, EVERYTHING is big!

As the ocean pushed its treasure of fish into the inlets, the wildlife was waiting and so were we. Sea lions fished the clash of the currents gracefully, and we gazed toward the forest knowing the bears were waiting their turn to catch some of this year’s returning salmon runs. We headed back to the ship with an even greater appreciation of this amazing part of the planet. Just when we thought it could not get any better, the crew spotted a pod of four killer whales. We all rushed to the deck to watch as they moved through choppy waters. While we gawked at the world’s most efficient and deadly predator, the orcas moved through rough water without strain and our minds wandered in speculation of their intentions. There is something so powerful in the encounters we have shared amongst Alaska’s vast wilderness and rich wildlife that makes you feel so small. It was a great ending to but another perfect day.