At approximately 6:00 a.m. National Geographic Venture stopped by the headquarters of Glacier Bay National Park at Bartlett Cove and picked up Ranger Daniel to spend the day with us. We sailed north toward Russell Island and went through the “Russell Cut” to look for wildlife, where we encountered a mother humpback and her calf. Turning the corner, we found a brown bear on a beach eating barnacles, mussels, and many other creatures found in the intertidal zone. Further north we spent time in front of the Margerie, Ferris, and Grand Pacific Glaciers, and even saw a bit of calving. Heading south, “Gloomy Knob” showcased quite a few goats and another brown bear. South Marble Island is a hotspot for birds, sea lions, and sea otters.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 27 May 2024
Glacier Bay National Park, 5/27/2024, National Geographic Venture
- Aboard the National Geographic Venture
- Alaska
Kelly Coursey Gray, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor
I like to remind people that there are very few big surprises left in life, but if you are out in nature, with an open mind and a lot of time, you never know what you will find.
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Our final day here in Southeast Alaska was filled with steep fjords, awe-inspiring glaciers, fierce polar plungers, a number of humpbacks, and a beautiful sunset. As we spent the last day in Zodiacs, driving and adrift amongst the ice in front of Dawes Glacier, we were reminded of how tiny we are on this blue rock that abounds with natural beauty and ecological wonders. As the harbor seals swam by, we celebrated the journey with our shipmates, some partaking in a polar plunge. Then we turned off into the sunset surrounded by the sounds of humpback exhalations. Alaska has been a wonder, and we have been thoughtful visitors in a place fragile yet vast.