Walker Cove, Misty Fjords National Monument, 7/20/2021, National Geographic Sea Bird
Aboard the
National Geographic Sea Bird
Alaska
Today was the final full day of the expedition. Guests woke up to see the breath-taking scenery of Walker Cove, a large bay near the town of Ketchikan. After a hearty breakfast, guests were able to take some kayaks and paddleboards to explore the fascinating area. Following this individual exploration, some brave guests took a “polar plunge” to fully experience the icy cold water of Southeast Alaska. Guests described the day as wonderful, having the perfect mix of activity and relaxation.
Text by Hannah Tuinman, age 18, National Geographic Global Explorer
Sarah’s fondest memories of nature are experiences she’s shared with friends—especially when those experiences involve spotting wildlife from the bow of a ship! She’s captivated by the wonders of the natural world, and it was the lure of expansive wi...
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Today we woke up to a gorgeous day here in Southeast Alaska aboard National Geographic Sea Bird . The waters were glass calm as we enjoyed a delicious breakfast. Right as we were finishing up, the bridge spotted a lone male orca swimming around us. We all went out on the bow and were able to see the massive six-foot dorsal fin of the world’s largest dolphin species as it swam around the ship. After we watched this majestic creature fade into the distance, we began our sail up the breathtakingly beautiful Endicott Arm fjord. This area is hard to put into words. We sailed past icebergs with granite walls rising 3,000 feet out of the water directly on either side of the vessel. Waterfalls cascaded down from hidden snowfall and hanging glaciers. Glacial silt coming from the rock flows and mixes with the sea, creating a beautiful green hue in the ocean. Shayne, our Certified Photo Instructor, gave a presentation on smartphone photography and taught us all the settings for these incredible devices. It could not have come at a better time as the Dawes Glacier came into view. After a wonderful lunch, we headed out in our expedition landing crafts to explore the ice field in front of the glacier. Being this close to icebergs and the face of an active tidewater glacier is life changing. The blue of the ice, the crackling of icebergs, the haul outs of harbor seals, and the crash of calving is an experience that will not soon be forgotten. Back on the ship, we were treated to yet another amazing meal before heading into the lounge for a dual presentation by Naturalist Frankie Wilton and Certified Photo Instructor Shayne Sanders. They taught us about "The Story of Southeast Alaska" by talking about the important forest ecology and how to incorporate composition to capture this magic through the lens. It was an amazing first day, and we cannot wait for what is to come.
Simply put, today was a whale of a day. It started even before the early risers’ breakfast when two humpback whales, a mom and calf, slowly swam around the ship, seemingly with no place to go. For several minutes, they were just below the surface, probably sleeping. After watching the tranquil scene for nearly an hour, we ate breakfast while sailing to Saginaw Bay for a morning of hiking and kayaking. The sea was glassy…the sun was bright…the sky was clear. A beyond perfect day for both activities. And for some, an opportunity to sample and evaluate the culinary delights of three species of kelp! During lunch, we sailed to the Keku Islands for an afternoon of cruises, and the magic continued. En route, several Dall’s porpoises rode the bow of National Geographic Sea Bird for several minutes. During the cruises, we saw another humpback whale swimming close to shore in the kelp beds, a Steller sea lion, several harbor seals, many eagles, a black bear, and of course, kelp. The water was exceptionally clear, allowing us to see to the bottom at 30 feet as the attached kelp rose to the surface. As we got closer to shore, it was possible to view many sea stars and sea anemones through the clear water. But wait! It got better! Just after dinner and before dessert was served, we were called to the decks to view some distant humpbacks. As we inched closer and closer, we saw fantastic lunge feeding! Time and time again, for over an hour and well past dark, the whale lunged horizontally again and again on the surface for, presumably, krill. A few times, the action was close to the vessel, allowing all to view the expanded throat, open mouth, and baleen extending from the upper jaw. Screams and shouts of joy erupted from the assembled guests (and staff and crew!) after every lunge, which soon evolved into a collective ‘wave’ of appreciation. As if this wasn’t enough, just as we started to pull away, the whale erupted from the sea in a magnificent breach, followed by a ‘blow’ before flashing its flukes as it dove. The fitting finale drew enthusiastic applause from us all. Applause was also given to recognize the captain’s skill which allowed us all to observe, but not disturb, this wonderful whale. So the day was ‘bookended’ by humpback whales, and it truly became a day etched forever in our memories.
After traveling through the night, we awoke this morning at the dock in the small town of Wrangell. The morning was spent hiking up Mt. Dewey and walking through town on a creative photo adventure. During the afternoon, some of us went up the Stikine River in jet boats, exploring the shallow, braided river and the grand scenery surrounding it. Others toured town, stopping at Petroglyph Beach, joining interpretive walks through the bog, and visiting Chief Shakes house and island to learn about the local native culture. A great day of fun and adventure in Wrangell was capped off with a fantastic viewing of the aurora borealis, which was enjoyed on the bow by many.
