Today was an experience for the senses, visiting the active and nutrient rich waters of Cross Sound in between Icy Strait and the Gulf of Alaska. Feeling the gentle kiss of rain on our faces, the taste of salt spray on our lips, hearing the rushing waters of tidal currents, seeing the sea lions thrashing freshly caught food back and forth, then smelling the authentic reminder that their diet is very fishy. This highly productive region is a pulsing thrum of life that is a delight to explore, rain or shine.
8/1/2019
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National Geographic Venture
Baranof Island
After exploring the glaciers and open waters of the northern Inside Passage, we sailed south through the night and returned to the starting point of our journey, Baranof Island. This island, along with Admiralty to the east and Chichagof to the north, is home to one of the highest densities of brown bears in the world. To search for evidence of the bears as they begin their yearly salmon feast and continue our exploration of the temperate rainforest, we anchored in Kelp Bay to kayak and hike the shoreline throughout the morning. Later in the afternoon, we welcomed Dr. Andy Szabo of the Alaska Whale Foundation to learn more about ongoing research taking place in Alaska on the unique bubblenet feeding behavior we witnessed earlier in the trip. Only in Alaska can you experience the forest, salmon, bears, and whales all in one day.