National Geographic Orion arrived this morning in Dutch Harbor, Unalaska on Amaknak Island. Dutch Harbor is one of the prosperous fishing ports in the world and birthing place of the famous Deadliest Catch. This was also the site of the Battle of Dutch harbor during World War II, one of the few spaces in America bombed during the war.
After clearing US Customs we went ashore to explore. As promised, bald eagles were everywhere – perched on fishing boats, streetlights, crab pots, and providing great photo opportunities.
During the afternoon we passed countless humpback whales on our way to the Baby Islands. These rocky outcroppings are home to thousands of seabirds including puffins, kittiwakes, fulmars, and the highly prized whiskered auklets. The Baby Islands are one of the few places in the Aleutian Islands where whiskered auklets nest. Exploring the rocky coastline by Zodiac swarms of puffins were on the water in the swirling currents around the islands while bald eagles soared above the cliffs.
After dinner the clouds lifted, and the sun peaked through revealing the spectacular volcanic peaks that define the Aleutian Island Chain. Another great day in Alaska!
Ralph Lee Hopkins, National Geographic Photographer
