Glacier Bay National Park
No one, not even myself, could have expected to have such a great day in Glacier Bay National Park. The charcoal grey clouds covered patches of the mountains blanketed with snow. Cruising north up the bay, we spotted a massive amount of wildlife. Humpback whales, harbor porpoises, Steller sea lions, sea otters, a brown bear, mountain goats, marmots, the list of mammals could go on and on. Those of us who would rather spend our time watching animals in flight were not to be disappointed either. Glacier Bay is an excellent spot in Southeast Alaska to look out for birds. The number of species spotted was extraordinary; arctic terns, glaucous-winged gulls, pigeon guillemots, common mergansers, black-legged kittiwakes, black oystercatchers, puffins and many others were viewed. Puffins were spotted throughout the day, and near South Marble Islands two species of puffins, both the horned and tufted, were seen together.
But, what would Glacier Bay be with out glaciers? Two hundred years ago, this bay was not a bay at all, instead it was a massive wall of ice blocking the entrance of what we now know as Glacier Bay National Park. Now the glaciers have receded and carved out numerous arms, coves, and inlets through the terrain. As we sailed up bay we had numerous chances to observe these enormous rivers of ice. Hanging glaciers dotted the mountain valleys, but the biggest event of the afternoon occurred at Johns Hopkins Glacier. More than a mile wide, four miles deep, and towering 200 feet above the sea, Johns Hopkins in itself is a sight to see. As we approached for a view of this large tidewater glacier, we could not have imagined the amazing experience we were all to have. Giant pieces of ice tumbled multiple times into the sea below. The sound was thunderous, and the wakes created by the ice were felt aboard the Sea Lion. We watched as the glacier powerfully dumped ice into the sea. After spending a good amount of time at the face of the glacier, it was time to begin our transit back down bay. We had time to gaze at the beautiful scenery, sneak in a nap, or attend a presentation giving by the shipboard geologist, Jeff Grover.
Dinner was interrupted with a call of orcas! Three killer whales were ahead of the ship. Hurrying out of the dining room, we grabbed our cameras and jackets and rushed to the bow. We watched as the largest member of the dolphin family surfaced in front of the ship. The transient whales were thought to be traveling. As the whales came up taking breaths, we watched as these whales glided through the water. Killer whales were not the only sight of the evening. With the setting sun, and the rain clouds approaching, a double rainbow was a picturesque backdrop. The evening ended with walks around park headquarters at Bartlett Cove. Walking with a naturalist or on our own through the forest trails, we stretched our legs. Our day in Glacier Bay was a day well spent.
No one, not even myself, could have expected to have such a great day in Glacier Bay National Park. The charcoal grey clouds covered patches of the mountains blanketed with snow. Cruising north up the bay, we spotted a massive amount of wildlife. Humpback whales, harbor porpoises, Steller sea lions, sea otters, a brown bear, mountain goats, marmots, the list of mammals could go on and on. Those of us who would rather spend our time watching animals in flight were not to be disappointed either. Glacier Bay is an excellent spot in Southeast Alaska to look out for birds. The number of species spotted was extraordinary; arctic terns, glaucous-winged gulls, pigeon guillemots, common mergansers, black-legged kittiwakes, black oystercatchers, puffins and many others were viewed. Puffins were spotted throughout the day, and near South Marble Islands two species of puffins, both the horned and tufted, were seen together.
But, what would Glacier Bay be with out glaciers? Two hundred years ago, this bay was not a bay at all, instead it was a massive wall of ice blocking the entrance of what we now know as Glacier Bay National Park. Now the glaciers have receded and carved out numerous arms, coves, and inlets through the terrain. As we sailed up bay we had numerous chances to observe these enormous rivers of ice. Hanging glaciers dotted the mountain valleys, but the biggest event of the afternoon occurred at Johns Hopkins Glacier. More than a mile wide, four miles deep, and towering 200 feet above the sea, Johns Hopkins in itself is a sight to see. As we approached for a view of this large tidewater glacier, we could not have imagined the amazing experience we were all to have. Giant pieces of ice tumbled multiple times into the sea below. The sound was thunderous, and the wakes created by the ice were felt aboard the Sea Lion. We watched as the glacier powerfully dumped ice into the sea. After spending a good amount of time at the face of the glacier, it was time to begin our transit back down bay. We had time to gaze at the beautiful scenery, sneak in a nap, or attend a presentation giving by the shipboard geologist, Jeff Grover.
Dinner was interrupted with a call of orcas! Three killer whales were ahead of the ship. Hurrying out of the dining room, we grabbed our cameras and jackets and rushed to the bow. We watched as the largest member of the dolphin family surfaced in front of the ship. The transient whales were thought to be traveling. As the whales came up taking breaths, we watched as these whales glided through the water. Killer whales were not the only sight of the evening. With the setting sun, and the rain clouds approaching, a double rainbow was a picturesque backdrop. The evening ended with walks around park headquarters at Bartlett Cove. Walking with a naturalist or on our own through the forest trails, we stretched our legs. Our day in Glacier Bay was a day well spent.
