We spent the whole day today exploring the entire length of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. In order to did so we sailed continuously with stops here and there to watch the abundant wildlife, including sea birds, Steller’s sea lions, sea otters, mountain goats and bears. Once we got back to the park’s headquarters, we had the chance to go ashore and stretch our legs, learn about the forest and admire the new Tlingit tribal house. What a full and marvelous day!
8/1/2019
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National Geographic Venture
Baranof Island
After exploring the glaciers and open waters of the northern Inside Passage, we sailed south through the night and returned to the starting point of our journey, Baranof Island. This island, along with Admiralty to the east and Chichagof to the north, is home to one of the highest densities of brown bears in the world. To search for evidence of the bears as they begin their yearly salmon feast and continue our exploration of the temperate rainforest, we anchored in Kelp Bay to kayak and hike the shoreline throughout the morning. Later in the afternoon, we welcomed Dr. Andy Szabo of the Alaska Whale Foundation to learn more about ongoing research taking place in Alaska on the unique bubblenet feeding behavior we witnessed earlier in the trip. Only in Alaska can you experience the forest, salmon, bears, and whales all in one day.
