Every day there is a story to be told. Today’s story is an old one about the great inhalation and exhalation of fresh Pacific draughts by the interior waterways of northern Southeast Alaska. Ever since the glaciers retreated enough to open up the passages between Cross Sound and Icy Strait, twice a day great volumes of water have rushed through, forced by the true global tidal wave circling the ocean basins of the world, raising and lowering the elevation of the water according to the gravitational pull of the sun and moon. This exchange also cools the air and brings in nutrients, while stirring up organisms from the depths. Seabirds, eagles, whales, sea lions, sea otters all benefit from the abundance of food.
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.