The last day of our expedition through southeast Alaska started in a most pleasant way, with calm seas and overcast skies. The National Geographic Sea Lion sailed the silver waters of Fresh Water Bay on her way to Pavlof Harbor, on the east coast of Chichagof Island. Numerous bald eagles bordered the coastline, standing on the beach patiently waiting for some kind of meal to appear from the ocean. A few solitary humpback whales swam close to shore, their misty blows silhouetted against the dark forest behind. We arrived shortly before breakfast and prepared ourselves to enjoy and admire the wild beauty of this place by hiking, kayaking and Zodiac cruising. Hikers made their way up among the greenery and continued to learn about the multiple adaptations that plants have in order to thrive in the temperate rainforest. They explore the stream that flows from the lake to the ocean, home of Dolly Varden trout and many other fishes. Salmon, including pink, sockeye, and king, will continue their epic voyage running upstream it in a few weeks; meanwhile, brown bears wait patiently for them and forage on grass and other plants along beaches, where we had the chance to admire several today. Kayakers found themselves getting excellent views of a brown bear on shore, a special treat that few people ever get!
Meanwhile, our Second Mate Carter Davis and I went scuba diving at Pavlof Harbor; the 43 oF water was very clear (for Alaska!) and inviting. We encountered a mesmerizing submarine landscape of huge clusters of giant plumose anemones, numerous kinds of sea stars, hermit crabs, soles, and rockfish. Even a single individual juvenile yelloweye rockfish lived among the anemones; yelloweye rockfish could potentially live for 120 years or more, and I secretly wished that little guy a good long life. After 45 minutes we went back to the surface with enough underwater video to share with everyone onboard.
During the evening we sailed south along Chatham Strait and encountered several humpback whales and spotted a couple more brown bears on shore. And as the National Geographic Sea Lion continued her way towards Peril Strait over glassy seas, we were all grateful for another beautiful day in southeast Alaska.
