Endicott Arm & William’s Cove
Viewing pictures of Alaska’s magnificent glaciers and wildlife can be stunning, but to actually see them up close is an entirely different experience. Today, exploring Endicott Arm, a deep fiord found along the western side of the Coast Mountains and terminating in Dawes Glacier, was truly a feast for all the senses. Picture a perfect cloudless deep blue sky against the snowcapped peaks and icebergs of all sizes and shapes floating by like clouds in still waters. As our Zodiacs embarked on our morning adventure of viewing the glacier up close, we spotted dark dot-like contrasts on a series of flatter icebergs in a long ribbon-like strip that went on for some time. Seals with babies seemed to be lazing on these, soaking up the warm rays while a curious few swam close to us for some good viewing.
Eagles were periodically spotted overhead as we made our approach within a safe distance to the face. White thunder (the sound that precludes the calving) kept all eyes peeled as we waited in anticipation like an audience for fireworks! Before long, we were dutifully rewarded over and over again with small and large crashes into the calm waters. Another ah reaction came from a shooter—an iceberg that literally shoots out of the water and comes up with force to the surface, and another good reason to stay at a safe distance. Arctic terns gracefully flew by, taking advantage of all the stirrings in the water that can bring food to the surface for easy pickings. We observed many flying overhead-mouths stuffed with the catch of the day!
Lunch called us to bid adieu as we reluctantly left this lively spectacle and made our way back to the mother ship. Just one more turn into a small cove-like depression of a massive rock face rewarded us with another gem – a pair of small harlequin ducks, tucked out of sight otherwise.
Making our way out of Endicott, the afternoons’ exploration took us into “Ford’s Terror,” where graceful waterfalls of all sizes cascade over the massive rock faces, giving it the reputation as the Yosemite of Alaska. It proved to be a graceful and peaceful ending to our week’s adventure of this special land and place called the Inland Passage.
Viewing pictures of Alaska’s magnificent glaciers and wildlife can be stunning, but to actually see them up close is an entirely different experience. Today, exploring Endicott Arm, a deep fiord found along the western side of the Coast Mountains and terminating in Dawes Glacier, was truly a feast for all the senses. Picture a perfect cloudless deep blue sky against the snowcapped peaks and icebergs of all sizes and shapes floating by like clouds in still waters. As our Zodiacs embarked on our morning adventure of viewing the glacier up close, we spotted dark dot-like contrasts on a series of flatter icebergs in a long ribbon-like strip that went on for some time. Seals with babies seemed to be lazing on these, soaking up the warm rays while a curious few swam close to us for some good viewing.
Eagles were periodically spotted overhead as we made our approach within a safe distance to the face. White thunder (the sound that precludes the calving) kept all eyes peeled as we waited in anticipation like an audience for fireworks! Before long, we were dutifully rewarded over and over again with small and large crashes into the calm waters. Another ah reaction came from a shooter—an iceberg that literally shoots out of the water and comes up with force to the surface, and another good reason to stay at a safe distance. Arctic terns gracefully flew by, taking advantage of all the stirrings in the water that can bring food to the surface for easy pickings. We observed many flying overhead-mouths stuffed with the catch of the day!
Lunch called us to bid adieu as we reluctantly left this lively spectacle and made our way back to the mother ship. Just one more turn into a small cove-like depression of a massive rock face rewarded us with another gem – a pair of small harlequin ducks, tucked out of sight otherwise.
Making our way out of Endicott, the afternoons’ exploration took us into “Ford’s Terror,” where graceful waterfalls of all sizes cascade over the massive rock faces, giving it the reputation as the Yosemite of Alaska. It proved to be a graceful and peaceful ending to our week’s adventure of this special land and place called the Inland Passage.
