The topography and setting of Saginaw Bay is unusual in this part of Southeast Alaska due to the sliver of fossiliferous Paleozoic limestone forming the bay. Today’s anchorage amidst the forested cliffs offered our first opportunity for in-depth exploration of the temperate rainforest, as well as intertidal life discoveries through shore walks and paddling. Afternoon cruising through Frederick Sound and Chatham Strait repeatedly lured everyone to outside decks with charismatic cetacean sightings. One guest claimed the day could not be better.
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.
