All around us this morning were glaciers, icebergs, and blue and clear ice as we cruised around on our Zodiacs in LeConte Bay. The ice formations fascinated us, and when one of the crystal towers plummeted into the water, the boom and splash created an enormous wave, making our entire Zodiac jump. The ice had many color variations, creating a spectacular display formed by different amounts of debris remaining within the iceberg. There were marbled murrelets (brachyramphus marmoratus) in the water, and, being very skittish, they dove into the ocean. This entire ecosystem is formed by a receding glacier which has made it unique and, although harsh, stunningly beautiful. As beautiful as it is, this environment is vulnerable to climate change, so all those who visit should conserve to protect this for future generations.
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.
