What a day! A pod of five killer whales right off the bow started our morning as we transited Cross Sound. After breakfast, we alternated our morning explorations with hikes on George Island and Zodiac tours around the island. Some of us went on a long hike out to the WWII gun, while others enjoyed moderate and casual hikes with more interpretation of the flora and fauna of the rainforest. The afternoon brought us some amazing Zodiac cruises in the turbulent waters of the incoming tide, offering close views of the killer whales, a dozen humpback whales surfacing and feeding all around us, Steller sea lions catching and eating fish, scores of bald eagles in the trees and on the rocks, and sea otters in the calmer waters between the islands. We also visited the Tidelines Institute, a field school dedicated to experiential education and environmental leadership.
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.