We awoke to glassy waters, low lying clouds, and bears on the beach. Two coastal brown bears foraged and snoozed in the intertidal along Russell Cut. Humpback whales sent plumes of mist rising into the still air as we motored north to Margerie Glacier, the northern extent of Glacier Bay. Sea otters and harbor seals balanced on chunks of glacial ice in front of the glacier, a sheer jagged wall of blue ice rising from the water. When chunks of ice broke from the face they created thunderous booms and splashes.
South at Gloomy Knob, mountain goats scaled sheer granite faces with delicate skill and ease. Nannies watched their kids jump and leap from ledge to ledge. Around the corner we watched yet another coastal brown bear work the beach at the entrance of Tidal Inlet.
Further south at South Marble Island the calm of the afternoon was broken by the boisterous calls of Steller sea lions, black legged kittiwakes, and pelagic cormorants. Tufted puffins floated in droves along the shore, a few buzzing the bow as they came in for landings.
At Bartlett Cove we explored the trails around the National Park headquarters. A brief heavy squall of rain chased away the biting gnats as we wandered through the coastal forest. A few lucky guests even saw a moose!
Glacier Bay is always an amazing treat, and calm seas and great wildlife make the day extra special.
