We arrived at Pavlov Harbor this morning with hopes of spotting brown bears at the stream in the bay. Sure enough, we spotted four adults and two cubs in the area, all waiting for the annual salmon run to begin so they could fill their bellies with much-needed protein and fat. We launched Zodiacs to make a safe and unobtrusive approach for viewing and photographing them.
Another exciting highlight of the day was for our young Global Explorers. They learned how to drive a Zodiac in the calm conditions near the ship.
After lunch, we landed at Iyoukeen Cove to explore the verdant Tongass National Forest. I led a couple of photo walks along a bear trail that paralleled the coast. This easy stroll involved frequent stops and contrasted with the long bushwhack hike that left many seeking a dip in the cold water of the bay afterwards.
