George Island & the Inian Islands
A light rain fell as the National Geographic Sea Bird slipped quietly into Idaho Inlet. Clusters of sea otters dotted the calm surface, alert eyes peering out from little white-whiskered faces.
Upon reaching George Island, Zodiacs carried us ashore so we could start our day exploring the forest of the interior. Numerous paths led us in different directions, some to view the military gun emplacements left here after World War II, others to find a breathtaking view looking out over Cross Sound. At least forty people lived here on this strategic outpost, waiting for a possible invasion from the Japanese that never came.
Stacks of kayaks arrived at the beach and once unbridled, were occupied quickly by our patient guests. Exposed along the intertidal zone that was teeming with invertebrate life were colorful sea stars, bright orange bryozoans and delicate, soft-bodied anemones. Smooth blades of shiny kelp formed a thick golden brown blanket that was thrown across the tops of the rocks.
By afternoon we had moved to a different location and once again used our Zodiacs to peruse the numerous channels surrounding the islets of Inian. The tides that flow in and out create a complex upwelling that provides nutrients for the small organisms and kelp beds that are an abundant food source for whales, sea otters, and Steller’s sea lions.
By late afternoon, naturalist, Alberto Montaudon, presented us with an interesting and informative talk about the natural history of bears, starting from their evolution to their present status.
As we continued on towards Glacier Bay, tomorrow’s destination, we left the low, gray clouds behind us and the sky opened up to reveal magnificent snow capped mountains once again and a bright but brief yellow orb that sunk quickly into the western sky. Wrapped tightly to keep out the cold evening, many ventured on deck to take in the playful antics of Steller’s sea lions cavorting with an adolescent humpback whale. This went on for quite some time until the calf’s mother appeared suddenly at the surface, thereby signaling the end of playtime. And for most of us, it also marked the end of another fine day in Southeast Alaska
A light rain fell as the National Geographic Sea Bird slipped quietly into Idaho Inlet. Clusters of sea otters dotted the calm surface, alert eyes peering out from little white-whiskered faces.
Upon reaching George Island, Zodiacs carried us ashore so we could start our day exploring the forest of the interior. Numerous paths led us in different directions, some to view the military gun emplacements left here after World War II, others to find a breathtaking view looking out over Cross Sound. At least forty people lived here on this strategic outpost, waiting for a possible invasion from the Japanese that never came.
Stacks of kayaks arrived at the beach and once unbridled, were occupied quickly by our patient guests. Exposed along the intertidal zone that was teeming with invertebrate life were colorful sea stars, bright orange bryozoans and delicate, soft-bodied anemones. Smooth blades of shiny kelp formed a thick golden brown blanket that was thrown across the tops of the rocks.
By afternoon we had moved to a different location and once again used our Zodiacs to peruse the numerous channels surrounding the islets of Inian. The tides that flow in and out create a complex upwelling that provides nutrients for the small organisms and kelp beds that are an abundant food source for whales, sea otters, and Steller’s sea lions.
By late afternoon, naturalist, Alberto Montaudon, presented us with an interesting and informative talk about the natural history of bears, starting from their evolution to their present status.
As we continued on towards Glacier Bay, tomorrow’s destination, we left the low, gray clouds behind us and the sky opened up to reveal magnificent snow capped mountains once again and a bright but brief yellow orb that sunk quickly into the western sky. Wrapped tightly to keep out the cold evening, many ventured on deck to take in the playful antics of Steller’s sea lions cavorting with an adolescent humpback whale. This went on for quite some time until the calf’s mother appeared suddenly at the surface, thereby signaling the end of playtime. And for most of us, it also marked the end of another fine day in Southeast Alaska
