Most of Glacier Bay was buried under thick glacial ice 250 years ago. As we traveled 60 miles north into the bay today, we found abundant animal life ashore and in the water. We observed Steller sea lions, humpback whales, puffins, sea otters with pups, mountain goat nannies with tiny kids, and even sleeping brown bears. We also observed an unusual blond wolf foraging in the intertidal zone.
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.
