On a cool Wednesday morning at Goat Harbor we fired up the engines, sailed out into the main channel and slowly made our way north along the shores of Gribbell Island. We watched the shores of this marvelous island, known for the great quantity of “white” bears, also called “spirit bears,” which are a genetic variation of the black bear. We enjoyed the views of many different seabirds and a few harbor seals with their curious faces looking at us. A couple of steller sea lions were also seen, but dove immediately. Of course, early in the morning we saw a harbor porpoise and a Dall’s porpoise. Wildlife—there is plenty!
The day proceeded to cool off, as the fog did not lift early, and we put on all of our warm clothes to stand at the bow of our ship. Midday lunch went by and we eventually stopped and anchored at a lonely spot in Klewnuggit Inlet. Expedition Landing Craft rides were organized, as well as kayaking and hiking into the forest, which was composed in its majority by red cedars, followed by a few Sitka spruce. Very few forest floor plants were seen, but already among them were skunk cabbage, yellow violets, and salmonberry in bloom. Some of us took the opportunity to take nice photographs, and we were even lucky enough to see and photograph a river otter!
During the day we had a presentation by Bristol on the Haida natives, the Haida Gwaii, the geology, the people, and the forests surrounding these towns. As we listened, the weather became slightly warmer, and sunshine warmed the day.
