This morning we explored LeConte Glacier, the southernmost tidewater glacier in North America. It flows out of the Stikine ice field, thousands of feet up in Alaska’s Coastal Range. Known for the massive icebergs, the glacier is named after famed nineteenth-century geologist Joseph LeConte. The mouth of this fjord, LeConte Bay, is an ideal spot for small exploratory crafts like our Zodiacs. In the afternoon, we cruised north through Frederick Sound and then north into Stephens Passage, always on the lookout for wildlife.
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.