There is nothing quite like cruising through the landscapes of Glacier Bay National Park and encountering the local animals that call this place home. Each turn is home to a new glacier, species, or other natural phenomena that keep us in awe of nature all day. We sighted sea otters cruising through the water, harbor seals chilling on ice, kittiwakes and puffins soaring overhead, as well as sea lions hauled out on islands and humpback whales engaging in surface activity. Throughout the breaks in wildlife, we had lectures on the wildlife of the area and activities for our Global Explorers. After a day of cruising, we managed walks along the forests of Bartlett Cove to get one good walk in before enjoying recap and dinner. Yet another day to celebrate the joys of life aboard National Geographic Quest.
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.
