Today was the first time our expedition on National Geographic Sea Lion was able to visit and explore the face of a tidewater glacier. Tracy Arm, a fjord, was filled with large chunks of recently calved ice in a variety of shapes and sizes. Under the bright, yellow sunlight, our eyes were dazzled with exciting images in every direction. Fresh water cascaded down the side of the fjord walls, carving out the granite and feeding the mosses and plants. Mountain goats grazed together in the green carpet. It was a to take in, and an overwhelming fortune to find so much beauty surrounding us. In the afternoon, we continued adventuring in William’s Cove. Our spirits were incredibly high, our bodies full of energy to enjoy our last afternoon together to the fullest. Some kayaked, others on stand-up paddleboards, and many went on extraordinary forest hikes. Our last day of this expedition was easily also one of our finest.
9/3/2022
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National Geographic Quest
Ushk Bay and Peril Strait
National Geographic Quest arose amidst light clouds within the protected waters of Ushk Bay. This area is known for a salmon stream and yields plenty of opportunity for kayaking and exploring the vast meadows of its inner waterways. On this day’s occasion, guests were able to hike and paddle their way along the coast of Ushk Bay and witness firsthand the life cycle of Pacific salmon making their way upstream. As we transited through Peril Strait, we were lucky to see humpback whales. These immense mammals were “lunge feeding” very near our ship. Being able to witness this event was unique for guests and staff. Lunge feeding is process through which individual whales push their gaping mouths through the surface and collect any fish or planktonic invertebrates in the process. Witnessing this behavior was truly a remarkable experience for all. We will cherish this moment for a lifetime.
