In the early morning, guests set out to shore to stand by a waterfall known for its gifts of salmon. The late summer run of these majestic fish all but guarantees that the brown bears in the area will come to feast, and so they did. A lively pair arrived. They splashed in the shallows and searched for fish to fatten up for the cold Alaskan winter as they entertained our guests with their antics. Leaving the bears to the hunt, we set out in the afternoon in search of more feeding adventures but this time with a larger mammal in mind. We were not disappointed and found a host of humpback whales bubble-netting in unison to scoop up a bounty of herring.
9/4/2024
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National Geographic Quest
Kelp Bay and Hidden Falls
It was drizzling a bit as we made our way to the scenic anchorage at Kelp Bay. Through the drizzle, we were excited to see a sow brown bear with her two cubs fishing for salmon in the stream! It was a fantastic start to an amazing day. Our guests went on some beautiful hikes through the dense temperate rainforest, which had the fresh scent of rain and evergreens. One of the hikes led to a muskeg and a huge beaver pond. It was worth the effort to get there. During lunch, we repositioned National Geographic Quest to a bay near Hidden Falls where there is a salmon hatchery. At the hatchery, the air buzzed with activity as brown bears, Steller sea lions, and birds feasted on the salmon schooling at the fish ladder. The massive bears of varying ages and sizes stood poised to strike at the wriggling fish. They snatch their prey in their powerful paws and jaws. This time of year, the bears are hyper focused on feeding, so they can replenish their reserves before their winters sleep. Our viewing of the bears was a thrilling reminder of nature’s raw and untamed beauty.