Endicott Arm
Pinnacles of blue ice hanging above our small Zodiacs and five humpback whales surfacing right next to the National Geographic Sea Lion- these are certainly two of my favorite things!
Before the call to breakfast, 34 miles southeast of the entrance to Endicott Arm, we hover into sight of the Dawes Glacier. Huge granitic half-domes dominate the steep view to either side of the ship. Once aboard our Zodiacs we are able to explore that first glimpse of stark landscape more closely, and find plant communities clinging to every rocky crevice. Dwarf fireweed, and yellow composite flowers of arnica sprinkled with mosses dot the rocks while swirls of color speak of the unusual geologic stresses these exotic terranes have endured. Above us, tucked back into hanging valleys, are remnants of the mighty glaciers that contributed to the carving of this stunning fiord. Tremendous waterfalls flow into the inlet as we make our way closer and closer to the magnificent face of the Dawes glacier. Did you ever imagine there could be so much variation in blue?
We all hoped to witness the power of this river of ice and no one was disappointed. The morning performance at the glacier was thunderous with ice falls and calving.
Later, near the terminal moraine at the mouth of Endicott Arm, where the narrow fiord opens into a series of islands, currents caused by the morainal constriction stir up nutrients and many species were feeding in this ocean bounty. Steller’s sea lions, clouds of Bonaparte’s gulls and a variety of other seabirds were visible from the bow, as well as a foraging group of five humpback whales. These remarkable forty-five ton animals feed on krill and small schooling fish. Their prey must have been close to the surface as they made shallow synchronous dives, changing direction and frequently came up very near the National Geographic Sea Lion. Several times we experienced the surprise of an unexpected fully out of the water breaching whale.
Our cameras and hearts are filled with memories of friends, of family and Southeast Alaska’s finest scenery and wildlife.
Pinnacles of blue ice hanging above our small Zodiacs and five humpback whales surfacing right next to the National Geographic Sea Lion- these are certainly two of my favorite things!
Before the call to breakfast, 34 miles southeast of the entrance to Endicott Arm, we hover into sight of the Dawes Glacier. Huge granitic half-domes dominate the steep view to either side of the ship. Once aboard our Zodiacs we are able to explore that first glimpse of stark landscape more closely, and find plant communities clinging to every rocky crevice. Dwarf fireweed, and yellow composite flowers of arnica sprinkled with mosses dot the rocks while swirls of color speak of the unusual geologic stresses these exotic terranes have endured. Above us, tucked back into hanging valleys, are remnants of the mighty glaciers that contributed to the carving of this stunning fiord. Tremendous waterfalls flow into the inlet as we make our way closer and closer to the magnificent face of the Dawes glacier. Did you ever imagine there could be so much variation in blue?
We all hoped to witness the power of this river of ice and no one was disappointed. The morning performance at the glacier was thunderous with ice falls and calving.
Later, near the terminal moraine at the mouth of Endicott Arm, where the narrow fiord opens into a series of islands, currents caused by the morainal constriction stir up nutrients and many species were feeding in this ocean bounty. Steller’s sea lions, clouds of Bonaparte’s gulls and a variety of other seabirds were visible from the bow, as well as a foraging group of five humpback whales. These remarkable forty-five ton animals feed on krill and small schooling fish. Their prey must have been close to the surface as they made shallow synchronous dives, changing direction and frequently came up very near the National Geographic Sea Lion. Several times we experienced the surprise of an unexpected fully out of the water breaching whale.
Our cameras and hearts are filled with memories of friends, of family and Southeast Alaska’s finest scenery and wildlife.
