Bears galore! Upon arrival in the middle fork of Kelp Bay, we spotted two brown bears (mother and cub) walking in a salmon stream looking for a meal. From then on, it was hard to count just how many bears we saw on the beautiful stretch of beach at low tide. Some hikers chose to bushwhack their way through the forest. while others enjoyed viewing the active fishing upon the salmon stream. In the afternoon, we set sail into Chatham Strait where we were treated to some great humpback whale sightings. Another memorable day in Southeast Alaska!
9/3/2022
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National Geographic Quest
Ushk Bay and Peril Strait
National Geographic Quest arose amidst light clouds within the protected waters of Ushk Bay. This area is known for a salmon stream and yields plenty of opportunity for kayaking and exploring the vast meadows of its inner waterways. On this day’s occasion, guests were able to hike and paddle their way along the coast of Ushk Bay and witness firsthand the life cycle of Pacific salmon making their way upstream. As we transited through Peril Strait, we were lucky to see humpback whales. These immense mammals were “lunge feeding” very near our ship. Being able to witness this event was unique for guests and staff. Lunge feeding is process through which individual whales push their gaping mouths through the surface and collect any fish or planktonic invertebrates in the process. Witnessing this behavior was truly a remarkable experience for all. We will cherish this moment for a lifetime.
