We awoke to a serene, foggy morning at our safe and secluded anchorage outside Sitka. We cruised through the Sergius Narrows and Peril Strait, enjoying the scenery and looking for wildlife along the way. Following our morning staff introductions, kayak and Zodiac briefings, and the smartphone presentation by our certified photo instructor, we spent the afternoon hiking on Baranof Island near Lake Eva. Our hikes meandered through old growth temperate rainforest, following the stream that cascades down from Lake Eva to the bay. The stream was full of pink salmon making their journey upstream to the lake for spawning. The dwarf dogwoods were full of bunchberries along the trail, and the trees were majestic and full of mosses and lichens. On our return hike, we encountered a brown bear fishing for salmon in the lagoon. While loading the Zodiacs to head back to the ship, we saw the bear again, this time with her two cubs!
9/4/2024
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National Geographic Quest
Kelp Bay and Hidden Falls
It was drizzling a bit as we made our way to the scenic anchorage at Kelp Bay. Through the drizzle, we were excited to see a sow brown bear with her two cubs fishing for salmon in the stream! It was a fantastic start to an amazing day. Our guests went on some beautiful hikes through the dense temperate rainforest, which had the fresh scent of rain and evergreens. One of the hikes led to a muskeg and a huge beaver pond. It was worth the effort to get there. During lunch, we repositioned National Geographic Quest to a bay near Hidden Falls where there is a salmon hatchery. At the hatchery, the air buzzed with activity as brown bears, Steller sea lions, and birds feasted on the salmon schooling at the fish ladder. The massive bears of varying ages and sizes stood poised to strike at the wriggling fish. They snatch their prey in their powerful paws and jaws. This time of year, the bears are hyper focused on feeding, so they can replenish their reserves before their winters sleep. Our viewing of the bears was a thrilling reminder of nature’s raw and untamed beauty.