Glacier Bay
Today was an extraordinary one for everyone, with plenty of geological and biological observations to go around. We were assured that Glacier Bay would be one of the highlights of the cruise and we weren’t disappointed. Of major significance was the fact that our good fortune with the weather continued and we were treated to a dry day with moderate temperatures, little wind and high clouds that barely obscured the highest peaks. The entire day was spent on board the Sea Bird in Glacier Bay, observing various birds and beasts as we cruised the length of the bay to Johns Hopkins Glacier. Along the way we sighted humpback whales, Steller sea lions and harbor seals. At Marble Island we were treated to an incredible abundance and variety of birds, including tufted and horned puffins, pigeon guillemots, black oystercatchers, black-legged kittiwakes, pelagic and double crested cormorants, and common murres. On the high flanks of the fjord keen-eyed observers spotted mountain goats and toward the end of the day we finally saw an Alaska brown bear, a.k.a. grizzly, casually strolling the beach a few hundred yards from our ship.
The scenery was a geologist’s dream come true. Glaciers and glacial terrain abound and it was possible to see active calving at the terminus of the Johns Hopkins Glacier, one of the few advancing glaciers in the park. The steep-sided peaks, u-shaped glaciated valleys, and glacial moraine deposits were textbook perfect. It is hard to imagine a more spectacular place to see glaciation in action.
As we headed back down the bay at the end of the day, the sun broke out on the mountain tops, the wine tasting party began and we settled down to an evening of good fellowship and good food, with anticipation of the next day of this incredible journey.
Today was an extraordinary one for everyone, with plenty of geological and biological observations to go around. We were assured that Glacier Bay would be one of the highlights of the cruise and we weren’t disappointed. Of major significance was the fact that our good fortune with the weather continued and we were treated to a dry day with moderate temperatures, little wind and high clouds that barely obscured the highest peaks. The entire day was spent on board the Sea Bird in Glacier Bay, observing various birds and beasts as we cruised the length of the bay to Johns Hopkins Glacier. Along the way we sighted humpback whales, Steller sea lions and harbor seals. At Marble Island we were treated to an incredible abundance and variety of birds, including tufted and horned puffins, pigeon guillemots, black oystercatchers, black-legged kittiwakes, pelagic and double crested cormorants, and common murres. On the high flanks of the fjord keen-eyed observers spotted mountain goats and toward the end of the day we finally saw an Alaska brown bear, a.k.a. grizzly, casually strolling the beach a few hundred yards from our ship.
The scenery was a geologist’s dream come true. Glaciers and glacial terrain abound and it was possible to see active calving at the terminus of the Johns Hopkins Glacier, one of the few advancing glaciers in the park. The steep-sided peaks, u-shaped glaciated valleys, and glacial moraine deposits were textbook perfect. It is hard to imagine a more spectacular place to see glaciation in action.
As we headed back down the bay at the end of the day, the sun broke out on the mountain tops, the wine tasting party began and we settled down to an evening of good fellowship and good food, with anticipation of the next day of this incredible journey.
