Coastal British Columbia, Canada, 9/17/2023, National Geographic Venture
Aboard the
National Geographic Venture
Alaska
The final day of our Great Bear Rainforest adventure was spent in yet another splendidly scenic fjord that juts into the mainland of Canada’s coastal British Columbia. This region has an abundance of fresh water, allowing for more biomass here than in a tropical rainforest. Rain was interspersed with moments of sunshine throughout the day. With our persistent sense of curiosity, desire for exploration, and hope for spotting wildlife, we ventured out for hikes and Zodiac tours.
The rewards were many, as we observed a black bear fishing in a waterfall, a ratfish washed up on shore, huckleberries galore, sandhill cranes, harbor seals, and Steller sea lions.
Lee grew up as a "Nature Girl" in the rural outskirts of New York City, where she developed and expressed her keen sense of biophilia. She expanded her passion for the outdoors when she ventured to the western side of the country and she currently o...
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It was quiet and dark when we woke this morning. The light of dawn revealed a narrow channel surrounded by large conifers, spruce, hemlock, and cedar. The sun came up with a blaze of light reflecting off the still water of Lowe Inlet. Zodiac cruises and kayak excursions commenced. At the far end of the inlet, water burst over steep dark rocks creating Verney Falls. Fish jumped, harbor seals dove into the froth of the waterfall, and even a sea lion joined in catching a salmon or two for lunch. The dark body of a black bear walking along a grassy beach caught our attention. This was all before noon. Our afternoon hikes were along the forested reach of Granville Channel in rarely visited Union Passage Marine Provincial Park. Hiking in the wilderness through branches and bushes brought us to the soft, boggy openness of the muskeg. We enjoyed spectacular views of Granville Channel from the top of the muskeg while a light breeze cooled us. We thought the day’s excitement was over, but killer whales and humpback whales surfaced now and again around National Geographic Venture as we sipped cocktails in the evening light.
Welcome to Canada, folks! Our first full day of the voyage began in Prince Rupert, where guests disembarked for an array of activities. The quaint town of Prince Rupert is home to the Museum of Northern British Columbia. During the “Echoes of Time” we had the opportunity to experience a culmination of indigenous art, culture, and history. Guests were able to visit totem poles and a long house where traditional music and dance were demonstrated and everyone had a chance to join in. Many others enjoyed a tour of the North Pacific Cannery, a historic cannery converted into a museum. It was truly fascinating to see and hear the story of the cannery and its historic past. Seeing the tools, processes, and hearing about the cultural norms from its operational days was a highlight for many. The Rushbrook Trail hike was an excellent opportunity for guests to stretch their legs and enjoy the forest of Northern British Columbia. It was an immersive first day of our journey together.
This is Erin and Alison (Grosvenor Teacher Fellows) taking over the daily expedition report one last time before we head home. Today on National Geographic Venture , we cruised an inlet along the coastal shores of British Columbia. The morning was spent on Zodiacs. We explored the islands and took a nice, casual walk along the coastal beach. With informative talks by our naturalist throughout our journey, we were excited to implement our new learning in this ecosystem. On Zodiacs, we stopped by one coast and spotted a nurse tree with a Sitka spruce growing from it. A kingfisher perched on top of the spruce and then flew past us with its unique musical call. A harbor seal popped over to say hi as well. As we hiked the shoreline, we found ourselves stepping over fallen driftwood. Taking a closer look, we discovered turkey tail fungus and slime mold growing on the fallen trees. Barnacles and remnants of bull kelp were scattered along the shore. Continuing to walk along the beach, we observed interesting rock formations. We are enthusiastic about science and nature. During our time aboard National Geographic Venture , we found ourselves more informed, more engaged, and more passionate about this beautiful ecosystem. We loved the discoveries we made while immersed in this space, and we incorporated the information provided by naturalists who shared their passion and work with us. We know that visiting this land is a special gift, and we look forward to sharing our newfound knowledge, experience, and connections with our school communities. Text and photographs by Grosvenor Teacher Fellows, Alison Katzko and Erin Schmidt