National Geographic Venture was bathed in sunlight, a few clouds, and warm weather – a climate that is relatively uncommon for Southeast Alaska. Our first full day began with staff introductions, as well as a wonderful presentation on smartphone photography by naturalist and certified photo Instructor Kim Nesbitt. In the afternoon, guests prepared for a wonderful outing. Zodiacs cruised along Tracy Arm, dodging growlers, bergy bits, and icebergs on their way to the face of South Sawyer Glacier. Along the way, the natural history staff spotted harbor seals, Arctic terns, bald eagles, and other animals. At the end of the arm, guests in Zodiacs watched calving at the face of the glacier while enjoying the waterfalls in the fjords.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 18 Jun 2023
Tracy Arm and South Sawyer Glacier, 6/18/2023, National Geographic Venture
- Aboard the National Geographic Venture
- Alaska
Melissa Heres, Naturalist
Melissa Heres is a diver, captain, marine biologist, and hydrographer. Growing up on a farm in a landlocked portion of Germany, she explored the natural world surrounding her which translated into a fascination with the sea and travel.
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We started our first full day on board by visiting the Dawes Glacier by Zodiac. As we floated among the growlers and bergy bits, we experienced multiple calving events. We observed many harbor seals with cute, brand-new pups relaxing on the ice. While cruising in the afternoon, we came across a few humpback whales. One humpback hung out close to the ship, lunge feeding and solo bubble netting. Another whale had some fun breaching in the distance, and a third showed off by tail slapping. We ended the day with a great view of Five Finger Lighthouse and look forward to our day in Petersburg tomorrow.
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Our final day here in Southeast Alaska was filled with steep fjords, awe-inspiring glaciers, fierce polar plungers, a number of humpbacks, and a beautiful sunset. As we spent the last day in Zodiacs, driving and adrift amongst the ice in front of Dawes Glacier, we were reminded of how tiny we are on this blue rock that abounds with natural beauty and ecological wonders. As the harbor seals swam by, we celebrated the journey with our shipmates, some partaking in a polar plunge. Then we turned off into the sunset surrounded by the sounds of humpback exhalations. Alaska has been a wonder, and we have been thoughtful visitors in a place fragile yet vast.