We departed Sitka last evening and sailed northward through narrow channels amidst rolling forested islands. Those who could stay awake were rewarded with a brief glimpse of coastal brown bears along the shoreline as National Geographic Sea Bird transited narrow passages into the gloaming, the channel lit by red and green navigation lights. While no sea monsters appeared in the night, humpback whales were spotted feeding near Morris Reef in the early morning light. More whales were seen near dinnertime, bookending our active day spent exploring Pavlov Harbor by expedition landing craft and the Iyoukeen shoreline and Gypsum Creek on foot.