At the entrance to the Pacific Ocean, currents tear past these rocky islands. Between moments of rain and sunshine, we hike, paddle, bushwhack, and photograph George Island. Mossy trails lead us to spectacular overlooks of Icy Strait, where ocean swells break on basaltic cliffs. In the afternoon, skilled drivers take us into the ripping tides around Inian Islands to behold scores of massive Steller sea lions. A placid sea otter bobs among the bull kelp. A pigeon guillemot alights upon a boulder overlooking an azure sea. The mist rolls in.
7/18/2024
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National Geographic Quest
Freshwater Bay, Chichagof Island
This morning before breakfast, the bridge team of National Geographic Quest spotted orcas in Freshwater Bay. Eager to see this iconic whale species, the bow was quickly occupied by excited guests, staff, and crew. We could not have asked for better conditions. A sunny, calm morning with at least a dozen orcas! Wow! After breakfast we went ashore at Kennel Creek on Chichagof Island and split into aerobic, moderate, and casual walking groups. After yesterday’s wet forest at Fox Creek, we welcomed the firm, dry ground of an old logging road. Along our walks there were abundant signs of brown bears. One of the two aerobic walks had fresh bear tracks on top of their footprints upon their return. In the afternoon cruising down Chatham Strait, we enjoyed time on deck soaking up the sun when an eagle-eye naturalist spotted a group of humpbacks ten miles away! As we approached, we could see that this was no small group, as twenty-three whales were bubble net feeding! This day will long be imprinted in our memories of wild Alaska.
