Calm water and overcast skies greeted us as the National Geographic Sea Bird eased into her anchorage at the “Hobbit Hole” in the middle of the Inian Islands. Otters greeted us as they lazily plied the waters looking for their morning meal. After a hearty breakfast, the first group set out to explore these rugged islands that guard the northern entrance to the Inside Passage. Strong currents fill these waters with rich nutrients and create a lively home for many sea creatures.
After photographing sea otters near the ship, our expedition landing craft cruised though Mosquito Pass and towards a large rock covered in cormorants, kittiwakes, and Steller sea lions. Throngs of sea lions played in the standing waves created by the strong tidal currents. Their size and energy were intoxicating as the sea lions surrounded our boats and zoomed effortlessly through the cold waters.
Otters and seabirds plied the rich waters, eagles soared overhead, and jellyfish filled the waters around our boat. This was a cruise to remember for years to come.
During lunch the ship sailed toward George Island, the site of our afternoon landing, but as soon as we left the protected waters, large swells rolled our ship. The sea conditions were not ideal for anchoring at George Island, so instead, we sailed for Fox Creek.
Low tide at Fox Creek is a wonderful thing. The broad beach and intertidal zone gave way to beautiful grasses colored with fireweed which, in turn, bordered a thick forest that was waiting for us to explore. Deep bear tracks, remnants of generations of bears traveling the same path were found near scratching trees. Small streams coursed through the thick forest, and red squirrels guarded their middens from nearby trees. The smaller streams fed into a river that found its way into the ocean, and salmon will soon be making their way up river to spawn in the bubbling waters.
While the hikers were ashore, the kayakers explored the coast of nearby Shaw Island, and the cruisers were treated to a humpback whale that breached very close to their boats.
After dinner, Pete gave a fascinating talk on geology that lasted a whopping four minutes before being interrupted by lunge feeding humpback whales. What an ending to a spectacular day.
