Our first full day on National Geographic Quest took us to Tracy Arm and the Sawyer and South Sawyer Glaciers. In classic Alaska fashion, our entry into this glacially carved fjord came complete with low clouds and “liquid sunshine,” making for moody and dramatic vistas from the ship. As luck would have it, the liquid sunshine gave way to actual sunshine just in time for our afternoon Zodiac trips through the ice to the face of the South Sawyer Glacier. Watching the glacier calve into the fjord while harbor seals swam by in the distance made for an amazing afternoon adventure of ice, rock, and biology!
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.
