Serendipity; noun, luck or fortune in finding something good accidentally.
Today the Sea Bird cruised south in Chatham Strait. Bounded by Admiralty Island to the east and Chichagof and Baranof Islands to the west, this body of water offers magnificent scenery and opportunities for adventure. With blue skies and shirtsleeve temperatures we found ourselves treated to a variety of surprises and unexpected delights. Our wake up call came earlier than usual and we arrived on deck in time to witness the first sun shafts above the green mountains of Admiralty Island. Just a short distance in front of the ship a number of humpback whales were engaged in cooperative feeding behavior. After recharging their oxygen supply at the surface they raised their flukes for a longer, deeper dive. One animal corrals the prey in a net of bubbles and finally the entire group explodes through the surface in a tight group, and the prey fish are taken into huge gaping mouths. The process repeats itself hour upon hour and day after day as the humpbacks add to their bodily reserves to sustain them for the months of fasting ahead.
Further south we anchored in Basket Bay for Zodiac tours. Again we found unexpected delights. Belted kingfishers patrolled the shoreline, a dipper kept to the shadows and the bald eagles scanned from high above. With the salmon run near it’s peak the dead and dying fish attract bears and in the cool green shadows we surprised one stalking his meal in the fast water.
After lunch we found a most pleasant anchorage in Sitkoh Bay. The sun felt especially warm, there being little breeze. The only disturbance to the reflections in the water was from our kayak paddles. We enjoyed walks ashore with the expedition staff and almost reluctantly returned to the ship near the close of the day. Just as the sky turned dark we took to the deck and marveled at a stunning display of northern lights that continued all night. A day filled with a variety of surprises and unexpected pleasures. A serendipitous day to be sure.
