Aboard National Geographic Sea Lion, guests were still buzzing after an incredible wildlife day in the Inian Islands yesterday. Under the expert guidance of our expedition leader and captain, we went to Pavlof Bay in hopes of the chance to view coastal brown bears at Pavlof Falls. A population of pinky (or humpy) salmon runs up this river and jumps the falls using an installed fish ladder. The local brown bears have been known to frequent the falls to catch salmon midair as they try to jump up the falls to spawn in the river and lake above. We did not have any sightings, as it was a very low tide and still early in the season for bears to be enticed to the falls. We headed back to the ship and cruised for more wildlife sightings. Guests were treated to a short bear encounter from the bow as a brown bear meandered along the forest’s edge. Perhaps deciding it was too hot to continue, the bear ducked into the shaded forest area. Guests admired quintessential Southeast Alaska: views of channels of water flanked by beautiful shorelines and towering mountains. We even spotted multiple humpback whales.
7/22/2024
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National Geographic Sea Lion
Sitka Sound
Early risers aboard National Geographic Sea Lion were treated to a stellar show of humpback whales this morning as we made our way south down the mountain-studded coast of Baranof Island. The long, lazy swell that lulled us to sleep overnight contrasted spectacularly with the fast breaches, tail slaps, and fluking displays that surrounded us as we rounded Cape Edgecumbe and entered Sitka Sound. Sea otters and fishing boats galore greeted us as we slipped into the calm waters of the sound, bound for Magoun Islands State Marine Park for an afternoon of Zodiac cruising and hiking. The hikers found ample evidence of recent bear presence in the form of fresh scat and tracks, but no bears were to be found. Most of us were quite relieved not to surprise a bear! The Zodiac cruisers were treated to gorgeous intertidal habitats littered with mussels, barnacles, sea stars, and clams. After warming up a bit at lunch, a record thirty-one brave souls jumped into the frigid waters for our polar plunge! As we arrived in Sitka this evening, we admired the snow-capped mountain tops normally shrouded in mist. Steller sea lions cavorting around the dock served as reminders of our adventures.