Fox Creek and Inian Islands
The National Geographic Sea Bird cruised on glassy waters amidst marbled murrelets, humpback whales, and sea otters in the entrance to Idaho Inlet. We anchored between Shaw and Chichagof Islands and commenced our morning activities. Kayakers were able to circumnavigate Shaw Island, observing harbor seals and sea otters, as well as forests of bull kelp and intertidal organisms through the clear blue-green water.
Guests were also offered walks ashore with naturalists on Chichagof Island, exploring forest, muskeg and meadows. A few salmon were seen in the creek. Some people walked upstream to a small waterfall. Adventurous hikers were challenged by bushwacking off-trail in varied terrain. Age-old perennial tracks, scratch marks, scat, and hairs caught in the sap of trees were all evidence of the presence of brown bears. Small mink prints were noticed along the muddy trail and red squirrel middens showed activity of other occupants of the forest. Carnivorous sundews were common in the peat bog and coral fungi, ground cone, skunk cabbage, Devil’s club, and orchids were among many other interesting species observed during our terrestrial excursion.
After lunch we donned warm clothes and life jackets and embarked the Zodiacs to tour around the Inian Islands. Situated between the open ocean and Icy Strait, currents and upwellings bring plankton and nutrients to the surface and stimulate the entire food web. Active marine life attested to the richness of the area. Everything was eating or being eaten—Steller sea lions, salmon, sea otters, humpback whales, puffins, and other bird life. It was exciting to have whales and sea lions pass close to the Zodiacs!
We cruised toward Gustavus to pick up a National Park Service Ranger/Naturalist and Huna Tlingit Cultural Interpreter. They will both accompany us during our day in Glacier Bay National Park. A special surprise and treat this evening was a “live dive” by undersea specialist Justin and his dive buddy second mate Chris. We were able to watch and listen from the comfort of the lounge on board while they found a great sculpin, sea pens, eelpouts, and several flatfish. The dock pilings were covered in huge sunflower sea stars and sea slugs, with delicate shrimps scampering over all.
