Flexibility is the key to our adventures with Lindblad Expeditions, even if it means getting up at 6:20 a.m. to view two black bears foraging on the beach. The Sea Bird approached to observe these animals and soon they were joined by a third bear. This was the start to a day full of wildlife and dramatic scenery.

Tracy Arm is a classic narrow, steep-sided fiord that is part of a pristine wilderness that John Muir described as "a display of novel beauty." At the end of this waterway two glaciers come tumbling out of the Coast Range mountains down to tidewater. As these icy conveyors endlessly push toward the sea, icebergs are born when towers of ice topple and crash into the ocean below.

We launched our fleet of inflatable Zodiacs and cruised at a safe distance around the blue-tinted icebergs, which provided us with a humbling perspective: so small amongst such awe-inspiring majesty. It was beyond words, but a memorable experience.

In the afternoon there was an opportunity for kayaking and hiking in William's Cove. The kayakers were able to observe another bear as they glided silently near the shoreline. When we returned to the ship a mother black bear with three cubs came out to the shore. We watched them until we hoisted anchor and cruised out of Tracy Arm. The grand finale to the day occured as we finished dinner and found ourselves surrounded by humpback whales, surfacing and diving in a slow motion water ballet. When the light faded, a brilliant moon rose and the day was complete