Glacier Bay
It was grey on grey day with shades of dark green as the Sea Bird began her passage into Glacier Bay National Park. At approximately 6:00 AM we stopped at Bartlett Cove to pick up our National Park Ranger David DeYette, who would spend the day on board the Sea Bird bringing his lively interpretation of this 3.3 million acre park. Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve was designated a national monument in 1925. The purpose was to protect and preserve a glacier environment along with its ever-changing plant communities for public enjoyment and scientific study. Expanded several times, Glacier Bay was redesignated a national park and preserve in 1980. Between 1986 and 1992 the park became a Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO Heritage site, giving the park international status, with emphasis on natural and cultural areas. The international community values the uniqueness of this dynamic natural landscape and considers the protection of Glacier Bay National Park of utmost importance for future generations.
By 6:30 AM the bow of the Sea Bird was filled with sleepy faces watching three transient killer whales near the shores of Strawberry Island. Transient killer whales are known for their stealth and abilities as cooperative hunters of other marine mammals. We continued cruising north, but only a short distance as a second group of killer whales were spotted, near the Boulder islands where surrounding kelp beds have a healthy population of Sea Otters! As the Sea Bird passed between two islands, the killer whales approached our vessel close enough to hear their blows and to observe some rather frantic behavior on the part of the resident Sea Otters. The whales would submerge for extended periods of time while the Sea otters would look under water raising their bodies high in air, then return to the surface to look around and then dive rapidly leaving nothing but a large splash in their wake.
Finally the Sea Bird headed north for the Marble Islands, a densely populated bird rookery and Steller sea lion haul out. In the still air we could smell the sea lions on approach. Black oystercatchers, common murres, pigeon guillemots and tufted puffins flew circles around the Sea Bird as she made a slow pass along the eastern side of South Marble Island.
While David made his introduction to Glacier Bay in the lounge, the Sea Bird continued her voyage north heading for Gloomy knob. Here we entered the world of the Mountain goat. Attracted to the sparse but nutritional plant growth and the protection from predators that Gloomy knob offers, mountain goats spend the spring and early summer here. We found several goats on their own and mother goats with kids carefully maneuvering along the steep cliffs while browsing on small plants and lichens.
In the early afternoon, we arrived at the most northwestern point of our journey through Glacier Bay. The Sea Bird slowed in front of the faces of Grand Pacific and Margerie glaciers. Circling birds, harbor seals and bits of blue sky greeted us. As the bow filled with our many fellow travelers, Margerie glacier decided that a quarter of her face should calve into the waters of Tarr Inlet. The sound of white thunder filled the air followed by a very large rolling wave of water and broken pieces of ice.
During our afternoon cruise south, we were visited by another group of Killer whales moving through calm waters with the Fairweather mountain range peeking out between layers of silver clouds. Upon arrival in Bartlett Cove, we had an opportunity to spend an hour walking along a one-mile loop trail. As our many family groups gathered and began walking, we encountered another kind of family group; a Black bear sow and three cubs, enjoying a final evening meal along the trail. We stopped, watched and took in the gift of wildness as it was presented, remembering that it is their world we are visiting, hoping for a healthy life for this bear family as much as we hope for the health and safety of our own families.
It was grey on grey day with shades of dark green as the Sea Bird began her passage into Glacier Bay National Park. At approximately 6:00 AM we stopped at Bartlett Cove to pick up our National Park Ranger David DeYette, who would spend the day on board the Sea Bird bringing his lively interpretation of this 3.3 million acre park. Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve was designated a national monument in 1925. The purpose was to protect and preserve a glacier environment along with its ever-changing plant communities for public enjoyment and scientific study. Expanded several times, Glacier Bay was redesignated a national park and preserve in 1980. Between 1986 and 1992 the park became a Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO Heritage site, giving the park international status, with emphasis on natural and cultural areas. The international community values the uniqueness of this dynamic natural landscape and considers the protection of Glacier Bay National Park of utmost importance for future generations.
By 6:30 AM the bow of the Sea Bird was filled with sleepy faces watching three transient killer whales near the shores of Strawberry Island. Transient killer whales are known for their stealth and abilities as cooperative hunters of other marine mammals. We continued cruising north, but only a short distance as a second group of killer whales were spotted, near the Boulder islands where surrounding kelp beds have a healthy population of Sea Otters! As the Sea Bird passed between two islands, the killer whales approached our vessel close enough to hear their blows and to observe some rather frantic behavior on the part of the resident Sea Otters. The whales would submerge for extended periods of time while the Sea otters would look under water raising their bodies high in air, then return to the surface to look around and then dive rapidly leaving nothing but a large splash in their wake.
Finally the Sea Bird headed north for the Marble Islands, a densely populated bird rookery and Steller sea lion haul out. In the still air we could smell the sea lions on approach. Black oystercatchers, common murres, pigeon guillemots and tufted puffins flew circles around the Sea Bird as she made a slow pass along the eastern side of South Marble Island.
While David made his introduction to Glacier Bay in the lounge, the Sea Bird continued her voyage north heading for Gloomy knob. Here we entered the world of the Mountain goat. Attracted to the sparse but nutritional plant growth and the protection from predators that Gloomy knob offers, mountain goats spend the spring and early summer here. We found several goats on their own and mother goats with kids carefully maneuvering along the steep cliffs while browsing on small plants and lichens.
In the early afternoon, we arrived at the most northwestern point of our journey through Glacier Bay. The Sea Bird slowed in front of the faces of Grand Pacific and Margerie glaciers. Circling birds, harbor seals and bits of blue sky greeted us. As the bow filled with our many fellow travelers, Margerie glacier decided that a quarter of her face should calve into the waters of Tarr Inlet. The sound of white thunder filled the air followed by a very large rolling wave of water and broken pieces of ice.
During our afternoon cruise south, we were visited by another group of Killer whales moving through calm waters with the Fairweather mountain range peeking out between layers of silver clouds. Upon arrival in Bartlett Cove, we had an opportunity to spend an hour walking along a one-mile loop trail. As our many family groups gathered and began walking, we encountered another kind of family group; a Black bear sow and three cubs, enjoying a final evening meal along the trail. We stopped, watched and took in the gift of wildness as it was presented, remembering that it is their world we are visiting, hoping for a healthy life for this bear family as much as we hope for the health and safety of our own families.
