Today is the first full day of our trip aboard National Geographic Seabird —we all woke up to a sunrise whose beauty rendered the whole ship quiet. We explored Tracy Arm and enjoyed a magnificent view of South Sawyer Glacier. Once our ship was positioned we lowered Zodiacs and set off to show our guests the treasures of this area; the face of the glacier, the landscape, and the various wildlife that we might (and did) find. We saw heaps of harbor seals, and a huge population of Artic terns being very vocal as they feasted on small fish. We spotted three mountain goats along the side of the fjord — and we didn’t even need binoculars. Afterwards we continued to search for wildlife and waterfalls. We closed the day with cocktails and laughter. What an absolutely fabulous day!
7/22/2024
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National Geographic Sea Lion
Sitka Sound
Early risers aboard National Geographic Sea Lion were treated to a stellar show of humpback whales this morning as we made our way south down the mountain-studded coast of Baranof Island. The long, lazy swell that lulled us to sleep overnight contrasted spectacularly with the fast breaches, tail slaps, and fluking displays that surrounded us as we rounded Cape Edgecumbe and entered Sitka Sound. Sea otters and fishing boats galore greeted us as we slipped into the calm waters of the sound, bound for Magoun Islands State Marine Park for an afternoon of Zodiac cruising and hiking. The hikers found ample evidence of recent bear presence in the form of fresh scat and tracks, but no bears were to be found. Most of us were quite relieved not to surprise a bear! The Zodiac cruisers were treated to gorgeous intertidal habitats littered with mussels, barnacles, sea stars, and clams. After warming up a bit at lunch, a record thirty-one brave souls jumped into the frigid waters for our polar plunge! As we arrived in Sitka this evening, we admired the snow-capped mountain tops normally shrouded in mist. Steller sea lions cavorting around the dock served as reminders of our adventures.
