Glacier Bay National Park
Today was spent exploring the massive, stunningly beautiful park that is Glacier Bay. We awoke in Tarr Inlet with views of glaciers and the monstrous Mount Fairweather looming more than fifteen thousand feet above us. Puffins swam by with fish draped in their orange bills, while eagles soared overhead.
After breakfast we approached the face of the Marjorie Glacier and were awed by the size and color of this glacier. Nearly one mile in width with a face that is over two hundred feet high, the brilliant blue and white face is an impressive sight. Along the side of the glacier was a seabird spectacle. Thousands of Black-legged Kittiwakes were resting on icebergs underneath their nesting cliffs. Raucous calls of “kiti-wake” rang through the air, as they flew around their exposed nests on the face of the cliff. A sure highlight was a group of puffins, both Tufted and Horned, showing off their comical bills and plumage.
Later in the morning we entered Johns Hopkins Inlet and were treated to a marvelous sight. The 10,000-foot twin peaks of Orrville and Wilbur rose above the stunning Hopkins glacier, and we slowly approached to within about a quarter of a mile of the face. Luckily, we were treated to a few big calvings, with large amounts of ice plummeting into the sea, creating a large wave and many screams from those of us out on the bow.
After lunch we proceeded down the bay and approached Gloomy Knob where we had some excellent views of mountain goats and hoary marmots. We then crossed to Geike Inlet and found a black bear feasting in the grass on the side of the bay. We slowly approached, and the bear paid absolutely no attention to us as it fed on berries and the roots of some beach vegetation. Rafts of scoter ducks floated by, as loons were calling, and oystercatchers rested on the beach. Overall, a fantastic wildlife experience amongst some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet.
Today was spent exploring the massive, stunningly beautiful park that is Glacier Bay. We awoke in Tarr Inlet with views of glaciers and the monstrous Mount Fairweather looming more than fifteen thousand feet above us. Puffins swam by with fish draped in their orange bills, while eagles soared overhead.
After breakfast we approached the face of the Marjorie Glacier and were awed by the size and color of this glacier. Nearly one mile in width with a face that is over two hundred feet high, the brilliant blue and white face is an impressive sight. Along the side of the glacier was a seabird spectacle. Thousands of Black-legged Kittiwakes were resting on icebergs underneath their nesting cliffs. Raucous calls of “kiti-wake” rang through the air, as they flew around their exposed nests on the face of the cliff. A sure highlight was a group of puffins, both Tufted and Horned, showing off their comical bills and plumage.
Later in the morning we entered Johns Hopkins Inlet and were treated to a marvelous sight. The 10,000-foot twin peaks of Orrville and Wilbur rose above the stunning Hopkins glacier, and we slowly approached to within about a quarter of a mile of the face. Luckily, we were treated to a few big calvings, with large amounts of ice plummeting into the sea, creating a large wave and many screams from those of us out on the bow.
After lunch we proceeded down the bay and approached Gloomy Knob where we had some excellent views of mountain goats and hoary marmots. We then crossed to Geike Inlet and found a black bear feasting in the grass on the side of the bay. We slowly approached, and the bear paid absolutely no attention to us as it fed on berries and the roots of some beach vegetation. Rafts of scoter ducks floated by, as loons were calling, and oystercatchers rested on the beach. Overall, a fantastic wildlife experience amongst some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet.
