We were woke slightly earlier than planned this morning but could tell by the excitement in the voice of our expedition leader Cindy Manning that it was something worth getting up for. A group between eight to ten humpback whales were bubble-net feeding right off our bow! After watching the whales go through several rounds of bursting through the sea surface, it was time for both them, and us, to make our way to enjoy the rest of our day. For us, it was seeking shelter from an approaching storm. For the whales, who knows where, who knows when? But we hope we’ll meet again some sunny day.
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.
