Today we awoke aboard the National Geographic Sea Lion near Warm Springs where our undersea team entered the water and we welcomed aboard Dr. Fred Sharpe of the Alaska Whale Foundation for a glimpse into his work studying the humpback whales of Alaska. Soon after he left, we had our own experience with these magnificent mammals as we watched and listened to a group take part in cooperative bubble net feeding. After some of being in the presence of the whales, we departed towards Lake Eva. There we hiked, kayaked, and explored by inflatable boat until we came back aboard and finally ended the night with another humpback experience before dinner.
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.
