Frederick Sound
Last evening the fireworks started shortly after midnight. The moonless sky was velvet black and Sea Bird glistened in the light of the Milky Way. Millions of stars were reflected in the surrounding sea surface, but on this night there would be no aurora—rather the sea would add its own stars, comets and supernovae in a spectacular display of intense bioluminescence. Jumping fish, diving birds, and several visits by small groups of Steller’s sea lions and bow-riding Dall’s porpoise provided visual delights to last a lifetime.
Sunrise, with clear skies and mild temperatures, found us in Frederick Strait, on our way to Le Conte Glacier and the armada of icebergs just beyond its reach. By 8:30 the first Zodiac was already pulling away from Sea Bird, and soon it was joined by three others. The second excursion began shortly after ten, and all were back on board for lunch. Our boats were dwarfed by some of the house-sized ice forms, and the requirement to maintain a safe distance was rewarded when a refrigerator-size chunk broke off from the berg’s underside and exploded to the surface (shooter) within twenty feet of its parent. Encounters with harbor seals, bald eagles and harbor porpoise delighted everyone on board.
After lunch, we made our way back along Frederick Strait to the fishing village of Petersburg. Several trips across Wrangell Narrows ferried dozens of guests for two-mile hikes along Petersburg Creek trail, while others took advantage of the superb weather and opportunity to see the surrounding forest, peaks and glaciers from float planes and helicopters.
Just before a dinner of Dungeness crab and barbequed ribs, Petersburg resident Becky Knight enlightened us about the history and lives of local fishermen. A delicious cheesecake dessert finished a perfect day.
Last evening the fireworks started shortly after midnight. The moonless sky was velvet black and Sea Bird glistened in the light of the Milky Way. Millions of stars were reflected in the surrounding sea surface, but on this night there would be no aurora—rather the sea would add its own stars, comets and supernovae in a spectacular display of intense bioluminescence. Jumping fish, diving birds, and several visits by small groups of Steller’s sea lions and bow-riding Dall’s porpoise provided visual delights to last a lifetime.
Sunrise, with clear skies and mild temperatures, found us in Frederick Strait, on our way to Le Conte Glacier and the armada of icebergs just beyond its reach. By 8:30 the first Zodiac was already pulling away from Sea Bird, and soon it was joined by three others. The second excursion began shortly after ten, and all were back on board for lunch. Our boats were dwarfed by some of the house-sized ice forms, and the requirement to maintain a safe distance was rewarded when a refrigerator-size chunk broke off from the berg’s underside and exploded to the surface (shooter) within twenty feet of its parent. Encounters with harbor seals, bald eagles and harbor porpoise delighted everyone on board.
After lunch, we made our way back along Frederick Strait to the fishing village of Petersburg. Several trips across Wrangell Narrows ferried dozens of guests for two-mile hikes along Petersburg Creek trail, while others took advantage of the superb weather and opportunity to see the surrounding forest, peaks and glaciers from float planes and helicopters.
Just before a dinner of Dungeness crab and barbequed ribs, Petersburg resident Becky Knight enlightened us about the history and lives of local fishermen. A delicious cheesecake dessert finished a perfect day.
