Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Early this morning, we entered the fifth largest national park in the United States, having been a national monument until 1980. The preserve totals almost 3.3 million acres, and has a most unique world class marine ecosystem, and captivating wildlife, glaciers and unsurpassed scenery. Misty clouds, ice-bergs, snow-covered mountains and intermittent rain made me aware of what a terrific water world we were entering.
Park ranger David Sholar came on board to help orient us to this special place and share information throughout the day as we progressed up the bay and made our way towards Margerie Glacier. Our first destination took us to Marble Island, home to many nesting sea birds and a haul out for Steller’s sea lions. We watched them frolick in the waves or rest their agile bodies on the rocks, and some males struck a very regal and yogic-like pose with heads held high! Soon after, mountain goats were spotted high on the craggy cliffs, hunkered down in the cold drizzle. Another bonus was the appearance of a solo brown bear, feasting on the shores of Tidal Inlet.
After a satisfying lunch of tomato-basil soup, organic spinach salad and king salmon, we made our destination for a good viewing of Margerie Glacier. Entertained by some good calving action, we then said goodbye to the ice and hello to a colony of nesting Black legged kittywakes and mew gulls as we turned the National Geographic Sea Bird south to Lamplugh Glacier.
We then headed towards Bartlett Cove for some hikes in the forest and a satisfying end to a very special day.
Early this morning, we entered the fifth largest national park in the United States, having been a national monument until 1980. The preserve totals almost 3.3 million acres, and has a most unique world class marine ecosystem, and captivating wildlife, glaciers and unsurpassed scenery. Misty clouds, ice-bergs, snow-covered mountains and intermittent rain made me aware of what a terrific water world we were entering.
Park ranger David Sholar came on board to help orient us to this special place and share information throughout the day as we progressed up the bay and made our way towards Margerie Glacier. Our first destination took us to Marble Island, home to many nesting sea birds and a haul out for Steller’s sea lions. We watched them frolick in the waves or rest their agile bodies on the rocks, and some males struck a very regal and yogic-like pose with heads held high! Soon after, mountain goats were spotted high on the craggy cliffs, hunkered down in the cold drizzle. Another bonus was the appearance of a solo brown bear, feasting on the shores of Tidal Inlet.
After a satisfying lunch of tomato-basil soup, organic spinach salad and king salmon, we made our destination for a good viewing of Margerie Glacier. Entertained by some good calving action, we then said goodbye to the ice and hello to a colony of nesting Black legged kittywakes and mew gulls as we turned the National Geographic Sea Bird south to Lamplugh Glacier.
We then headed towards Bartlett Cove for some hikes in the forest and a satisfying end to a very special day.
