Early risers were greeted with a typical soup-thick fog within Red Bluff Bay, but with cameras and coffee in hand their patience was quickly rewarded. A break in the clouds soon revealed the morning sun and a nearby waterfall cascading down, while the still waters provided reflections to capture both hearts and images.
Heading into Warm Springs Bay, National Geographic Sea Lion intercepted a skiff carrying none other than Andy Szabo, the director of the Alaskan Whale Foundation. He gave great insight into the lives of the cetaceans that inhabit the interior waters of Southeast Alaska.
After lunch we veered into Peril Strait to drop anchor and bring guests ashore to hike toward Lake Eva. Some chose to hang back with cameras in hand in order to photograph the lush spread of greenery upon the floor of the rain forest, while others ventured further into the trail in order to hike to the lake itself. There were many sightings to behold including woodpeckers and beavers, but truly the experience of traveling through the density of the forest was the most outstanding achievement.
As the evening was winding down and we were enjoying yet another delicious meal, we were greeted by a brown bear sow and two cubs upon the beach. Like all days spent exploring this wilderness, this one was full of memories not soon forgotten.
