Chichagof Island
Good things happen when you put yourself in the right place. Our first morning of explorations, calm, warm and sunny, found us in Freshwater Bay, in the company of humpback whales. The four behemoths were feeding cooperatively, working together to corral and feast on small schooling fish. The whales exploded through the ocean’s surface, in a tight group, mouths agape. Remaining visible while they replenished their oxygen supply, the four fluked up and dove together to repeat, again and again, their spectacular behavior. All of this before breakfast.
After breakfast and briefings, we headed ashore at Pavlov Harbor for hiking and kayaking, two very different and rewarding ways to see the area. Along with stunning scenery, we had an introduction to the lush temperate rain forest. Three brown bears provided a fine show along a nearby shoreline.
The afternoon held more treasures. More extraordinary humpback whale activity. Cooperative bubblenet feeding, flipper flapping and breeching kept us on the decks, easy in this delightful weather. From time to time a few Dall’s porpoises passed by. As we turned north, the call came – “Killer whales!” We followed them well into the evening as the group swam, obviously unconcerned, nearby the National Geographic Sea Bird. A breeching finale performance sent us on our way to new adventures.
Good things happen when you put yourself in the right place. Our first morning of explorations, calm, warm and sunny, found us in Freshwater Bay, in the company of humpback whales. The four behemoths were feeding cooperatively, working together to corral and feast on small schooling fish. The whales exploded through the ocean’s surface, in a tight group, mouths agape. Remaining visible while they replenished their oxygen supply, the four fluked up and dove together to repeat, again and again, their spectacular behavior. All of this before breakfast.
After breakfast and briefings, we headed ashore at Pavlov Harbor for hiking and kayaking, two very different and rewarding ways to see the area. Along with stunning scenery, we had an introduction to the lush temperate rain forest. Three brown bears provided a fine show along a nearby shoreline.
The afternoon held more treasures. More extraordinary humpback whale activity. Cooperative bubblenet feeding, flipper flapping and breeching kept us on the decks, easy in this delightful weather. From time to time a few Dall’s porpoises passed by. As we turned north, the call came – “Killer whales!” We followed them well into the evening as the group swam, obviously unconcerned, nearby the National Geographic Sea Bird. A breeching finale performance sent us on our way to new adventures.
