We had a spectacular morning waking up to humpback whales breaching off the bow of National Geographic Sea Bird. As we entered Glacier Bay we picked up two guests; Faith Grant (Tlingit Cultural Interpreter) and Marylou Blakeslee (Glacier Bay Park Ranger) who were both planning on sharing with us their unique jobs and perspectives.

Our first destination today brought us to South Marble Island, a small bit of rock known for its density of birds. As we approached everyone was outside, binoculars up, searching for any movement on the shoreline and in the water. Shortly, we saw a large group of tufted puffins swimming through the water and showing off their beautiful colors, and we saw a bald eagle flying through a group of black-legged kittiwakes.  Shortly after, several families of mountain goats were spotted resting in the grassy patches of the towering mountainscape. As National Geographic Sea Bird motored even further into Glacier Bay, sea otters were spotted in vast numbers, mothers grooming their pups before diving into the cold depths to find nutritious parcels to share with her young. Just when we thought we saw it all and were getting ready to head to lunch, a brown bear and her cub were spotted flipping rocks over on the beach to find any mussels or fish they could eat.

Later in the day we had the pleasure of learning about the Tlingit culture and how they survived in these far reaches of the world. As this amazing presentation came to an end, we were just entering the Tarr Inlet. At the end of this inlet is a most spectacular view of the Marguerite Glacier. This glacier is one mile wide, 250 feet tall with another 100 feet below the water's surface and is 21 miles long and moving at a rate of seven feet per day. As we all admired the size and beauty, we saw some amazing calving. With each calving the kittiwakes were feasting on fish being stunned by osmotic shock caused by the fallen ice chunks slamming into the water. Even more sea otters were spotted hauled out on the ice.

Truly, what an amazing day aboard the National Geographic Sea Bird