A peaceful anchorage near the head of Aaltanhash Inlet allowed guests of National Geographic Venture to awaken to a smack of moon jellies (Aurelia aurita) roaming the fjord. After an early morning scan of the shoreline and surrounding water, several humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) were spotted gently feeding around the ship. After breakfast, guests departed in Zodiacs to observe the whales and explore the surrounding area. After an eventful morning, guests returned to the ship for lunch before turning their attention to the terrestrial ecosystems. Naturalists guided excursions throughout the salt marsh and intertidal regions with a small group attempting to penetrate the thick undergrowth in search of an inland lake. Fresh signs of recent bear activity were found throughout the area: bedding locations, fish remains, and a rare glimpse at a perennial bear trail. After returning to the ship, National Geographic Venture departed for a cruise along the shore of Princess Royal Island and a brief search for bears before dropping anchor south of Hartley Bay for the evening.
9/22/2024
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National Geographic Venture
Green Inlet
Our last day in the Great Bear Rainforest proved to be one full of excitement, education, and awe. After dropping anchor in the idyllic glacial fjord of Green Inlet, we set out to explore the rocky shoreline and forested granitic fjord walls. The dense fog gradually turned into a wispy mist, which exposed different peaks and valleys of the forest as it moved through. We took turns kayaking through a delightful cove that was loaded with ochre sea stars, rockweed, and blue mussels so thick and dense that the rock they were attached to was hardly visible between them. A river otter scurried along the shore and bald eagles soared above us. From the Zodiacs we visited nearly a dozen thunderous waterfalls that were running hard and fast from the heavy overnight rains. We observed harbor seals observing us back; they were quietly periscoping their furry heads up and out of the water as we approached the rapids where they were hunting salmon making their final journeys upriver to spawn. Upon our return to National Geographic Venture , expedition diver Nick Brown shared his extensive underwater video footage from the area. His presentation was interrupted, of course, by whale sightings, which we rushed onto the bow to appreciate.
