The crew of National Geographic Venture navigated the waterways of Tracy Arm Wilderness Area early in the morning. Our vessel followed in the footsteps of the glacier that carved out this fjord, twisting and turning as we meandered through the narrow channel. Mountain goats and waterfalls met our eyes as the sun shined brightly above. Harbor seal mothers and their pups glanced curiously at us as we approached South Sawyer Glacier. We saw several calving events and even watched a few chunks of ice shoot towards the surface from the glacier’s glacial tongue. Laughter and fun were heard throughout the valley as we enjoyed ourselves amongst the ice. Evidence of glaciation literally hung in the air around us on this beautiful day.
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.
