Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

How many people on the planet have seen a wolf? Without a sighting scope? Swimming across a flowing body of water, right in front of you?

Today we were treated to spectacular wildlife sightings, endless vistas, and stories of scientific explanation and cultural ancestry. But of all these wonders, seeing a wolf on the shore of Russell Island, who then proceeded to wade into the frigid, glacial ice-cooled water and swim across our bow all the way to the mainland side of the Russell Cut, had to top the list!

Seeing the wolf that close was magnificent enough; but seeing it shake off the cold water, in order to dry itself after it emerged from a nearly half mile swim across the current-ridden flow, was ah-mazing! It did indeed answer the question of why the wolf swam across the Russell Cut.

Following the beast across the rocky alluvial fan that spread out in front of another glacially-cut valley, we learned that the wolf was a male by using a time-tested observational technique employed by canine lovers around the planet. The lifted leg was a sure sign that he was marking territory; and the flight of gulls that were stirred up on the shoreline evidenced that he may have been on the hunt for nests bearing eggs.

Our staff naturalists were hard at work searching, sighting and identifying wildlife. Special guests Glacier Bay National Park Ranger Laurie Smith and Tlingit Cultural Interpreter Bertha Franulovich provided informative and inspirational interpretive presentations. We were also joined by Kris Nemeth, Glacier Bay National Park Chief of Interpretation. It was another transcendent day for us to share together.

As we traveled up the northwestern arm of Glacier Bay, we were retracing the retreating path of glaciers made 200 years ago when they came all the way down to Glacier Bay's entrance. Since that time, the glaciers have retreated 65 miles and the banks of the bay are newly vegetated. We saw many excellent examples of glaciation: hanging valleys, striations, lateral moraines and glacial milk, which made the water turquoise blue. Near Lamplugh Glacier we could see the Tarr Inlet Suture Zone, which is a tectonic boundary between two of Glacier Bay’s terranes.

We observed sea otters, humpback whales, Steller sea lions, puffins, pelagic cormorants, common murres, glaucous-winged gulls, black-legged kittiwakes and tufted puffins – lots and lots of puffins. And, we also viewed a mountain goat nanny with kid on the steep terrain of Gloomy Knob. Calving at Margerie Glacier rounded out the day. But the wolf put it over the top!

Oh, why did the wolf swim across the cut? Obviously, to get to the other side.

Cheers from Southeast Alaska!