Holy cannoli, what an amazing start to our two-week voyage! This morning inside of Icy Strait Captain Nettles sighted the blows of several humpback whales. The whales turned out to be a group of cooperative bubble-net feeding humpbacks, the gold star for finding whales in Southeast Alaska. We used our hull-mounted hydrophone and heard a faint feeding call moments before the whales broke the water’s surface in unison as they fed on helpless and hapless herring. The visual spectacle combined with the audio supplement made for a delectable start. For the afternoon our expedition watercraft were our vehicle of exploration. The Inian Islands did not disappoint as we found sea otters, Steller sea lions, a plethora of sea birds and magnificent Rapunzel-like fronds of bull kelp. All of this with calm seas and skies that could hold their water. A great start to our voyage that will take us from Southeast Alaska to, ultimately, Seattle, Washington.
9/18/2023
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National Geographic Sea Bird
Desolation Sound Marine Park, British Columbia, Canada
After a comfortable evening sail through Johnstone Strait, we arrived in Tenedos Bay within the Desolation Sound Marine Park just prior to sunrise. The morning views were spectacular with wispy bands of mist on the tree-covered mountains, clear skies, and a hint of orange in the sky reflecting off the glassy waters as the sun rose. Many guests enjoyed the early morning views from all decks as oystercatchers and belted kingfishers sounded off with the rising sun. Conditions couldn’t have been more perfect for kayaking and standup paddleboarding in the morning. The calm waters made for a beautifully peaceful yet aerobic paddle as we explored around a small island within Tenedos Bay. Amongst the red cedars and the Douglas firs, the sunlight highlighted the red bark of the Pacific madrones, locally known here as arbutus trees. These trees are becoming much more prevalent as we journey southward on this, “Remarkable Journey: Alaska, British Columbia, and Haida Gwaii. Prior to lunch, the fun continued for both participants and spectators alike during our Polar Plunge! The plunge wear was varied and included a pink Power Ranger suit and a Gumby suit worn by Second Mate Jenna. It was so much fun with laughter and smiles all around, and it made for some fun lunchtime conversations. For the afternoon, we opted to remain anchored at this beautiful place and took scenic Zodiac cruises to explore the area more. Harbor seals, kingfishers, and many oysters were among the nature we spotted. Today was a fantastic final full day on board National Geographic Sea Bird . Experiences and memories that will last have been made during our voyage. Tomorrow morning, we disembark in Vancouver.
