Expedition leader Doug Gould woke guests early for our first excursion by Zodiac of icebergs from the LeConte Glacier. These chunks or shooters from the water’s subsurface line themselves along the face of the glacier: They are exceptional and large and blue. Overcast skies and drizzle actually enhances the blue hue of the dense ice. Back on the vessel, guests enjoyed a hearty brunch. National Geographic Quest by midday was docked in the fishing village of Petersburg. Explorers enjoyed an afternoon of hiking, biking, or botany tours among the town’s muskeg. Dinner was a special feast of crab including local Southeast Alaskan brewed beer. The evening ended with a lively presentation by naturalist and Alaska resident Sean Neilson.
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.
