Hanus Bay, Lake Eva & Sitkoh Bay
Simple. Just two words were needed to describe this fantastic day of exploration: “Oh wow!”
It was an "oh wow" kind of day right from the start. We encountered cooperative bubble net feeding humpback whales just south of Tenakee Inlet. It was the second such experience for us on our week long expedition. We had seen more humpbacks in a week than most humans ever see in a life time. And to see this rare cooperative feeding again – so amazing that even scientific researchers would be envious!
Although they caused a delay of breakfast, no human was complaining. As the whales encircled their bait fish prey and rose in unison to the surface with huge mouths gaping wide open; nature was at its most awesome. The sound of the whales breathing at the surface, a dozen tail flukes like synchronized swimmers, their vocalization heard over the hydrophone and the shouts of excitement from us seemed to suspend the passage of time.
Later in the morning, the expedition visited Hanus Bay, went ashore and hiked to Lake Eva. Other guests kayaked the shoreline and the lower pond on the high tide. Zodiac cruises went in search of fishing bald eagles and brown bears that inhabit the area.
After lunch, we repositioned the National Geographic Sea Bird to Sitkoh Bay. Once again nature was not shy. Interpretive hikes and kayak explorations allowed guests a last afternoon look at south east Alaska’s beauty. Zodiac cruisers were treated to a brown bear feeding in the grassy margin meadow at the end of the bay on the low tide. As we exited the bay, two more brown bears were observed with glee and awe.
"Oh wow," indeed.
Simple. Just two words were needed to describe this fantastic day of exploration: “Oh wow!”
It was an "oh wow" kind of day right from the start. We encountered cooperative bubble net feeding humpback whales just south of Tenakee Inlet. It was the second such experience for us on our week long expedition. We had seen more humpbacks in a week than most humans ever see in a life time. And to see this rare cooperative feeding again – so amazing that even scientific researchers would be envious!
Although they caused a delay of breakfast, no human was complaining. As the whales encircled their bait fish prey and rose in unison to the surface with huge mouths gaping wide open; nature was at its most awesome. The sound of the whales breathing at the surface, a dozen tail flukes like synchronized swimmers, their vocalization heard over the hydrophone and the shouts of excitement from us seemed to suspend the passage of time.
Later in the morning, the expedition visited Hanus Bay, went ashore and hiked to Lake Eva. Other guests kayaked the shoreline and the lower pond on the high tide. Zodiac cruises went in search of fishing bald eagles and brown bears that inhabit the area.
After lunch, we repositioned the National Geographic Sea Bird to Sitkoh Bay. Once again nature was not shy. Interpretive hikes and kayak explorations allowed guests a last afternoon look at south east Alaska’s beauty. Zodiac cruisers were treated to a brown bear feeding in the grassy margin meadow at the end of the bay on the low tide. As we exited the bay, two more brown bears were observed with glee and awe.
"Oh wow," indeed.
