Early morning found National Geographic Quest at the Inian Islands, a wildlife hotspot that was sizzling today. Multiple groups of humpback whales were in the vicinity, curious Steller sea lions checked out the Zodiacs, and tufted puffins fished from the surface. Tidal currents play a big role in bringing nutrients to the surface and igniting a blast of productivity.
Our afternoon was spent at Port Althorp. We hiked in coastal meadows and Zodiac-cruised the coastline, where we spotted a brown bear sow with two cubs. Quite the “whaaabammm” exclamation point on a great wildlife day!
