Tenakee Inlet and Sitkoh Bay
This morning started in a very special way; immediately after breakfast – which was delicious as always – we found a group of humpback whales inside Tenakee Inlet in Chichagof Island. But unlike most other humpback whales on the planet, those whales where engaged in a very unique activity: bubble-net feeding! Researchers have estimated that only about 75 individual whales in the whole of Southeast Alaska utilize this amazing fishing technique in which one whale makes a circular curtain of bubbles around a school of prey, usually herring. During the process, one or two whales make a loud call (is it the same individual who makes the bubbles?) and the combination of sound and curtain concentrates the prey into a tighter school. Then, all the whales launch themselves upwards in the middle of the ring of bubbles, with mouths wide open, engulfing tons of sea water and prey in their distended throats; after closing their mouths, they filter the water out through their baleen, swallowing several pounds of unlucky prey. We watched the whales for a long time and listened to their unnerving call, whose changing pitch alerted us to their imminent synchronized surfacing. Truly a great natural show!
During the afternoon the National Geographic Sea Bird anchored in the beautiful Sitkoh Bay. We all went ashore and explored the margins of a nice little stream located at the end of the bay. Several chum salmon (also known as dog salmon) were seen slowly swimming against the current in the clear waters, and brown bear signs abounded throughout our hike into the nearby forest. During this last day of our expedition we were able to experience the very essence of wild Alaska: whales, salmon, bears and old forests. Undoubtedly a day to remember!
