Even before breakfast, it was already a “whale of a day.” An early wake-up call brought us out on the decks to view a large pod of killer whales in Peril Strait. Later, when we compared our photos with catalogues, we were able to identify them as AF pod—resident fish-eating whales often seen in Southeast Alaska.
Continuing toward Chatham Strait, we encountered a group of humpback whales bubblenet feeding near Morris Reef. These whales communicate and cooperate using bubbles, flippers, and sound to corral schooling fish into a tighter mass, making it easier to get large mouthfuls of prey. They feed in this manner for hours at a time.
Our afternoon destination was Pavlof Harbor on Chichagof Island. We drove by expedition landing crafts to the base of a waterfall near the mouth of Pavlof Creek to view salmon returning to spawn. Some guests spotted a mother brown bear and her two cubs emerging from the forest to fish for salmon.
Today, full of wildlife and new experiences, was a wonderful way to begin our voyage through Southeast Alaska.
