Our first day aboard National Geographic Quest consisted of a proper introduction to Southeast Alaska. During the early hours of the morning we left Juneau and entered Holkham Bay near the entrance to the 653,179 acres comprising Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness which was established in 1980. As we entered the waters of Endicott arm there were multiple humpbacks spotted as well as an iconic bald eagle perched upon a drifting iceberg. The first half of the day consisted of briefings as well as an introduction to digital photography by our certified photo instructor. We slowly made our way up the impressive fjord and after lunch dropped our Zodiacs for the first operation of the trip. Miraculously we escaped the rain that was evident in the not so distant mountainsides. Dawes Glacier was enhanced by cloud diffused sunlight and turned out to be a relatively active day for calving. Smiles were observed all around, and Alaska won over some new admirers.
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.
