We started our day with a fabulous sighting of a humpback whale lunge-feeding amidst what appeared to be tons of herring. Binoculars glued to our eyes, we watched in amazement as the whale lunged for several hours, plunging through the thick schools, mouth agape, throat pleats completely distended and billowing from the fish feast. The darker dancing waters were alive with silvery fish shimmering in the bright light. The Sea Bird was literally surrounded by several large schools of herring that sounded like the soft pattering of raindrops. Hundreds of fluttering red-necked phalaropes delicately picking tasty morsels of plankton from the surface added to the magic of the moment. This amazing feeding event was followed by some explorations in our Zodiacs, and hikes along a beach and into the lush forest, tucked away in a small cove in Saginaw Bay. Steller sea lions, harbor seals, arctic terns, and feeding barnacles at the water's edge topped off our afternoon.
The grand finale came after dinner when several groups of cooperative lunge-feeding humpbacks were sighted. Everyone scrambled up on deck, and became completely mesmerized by this spectacular sight, in the lovely evening light. Suddenly, two black bears were sighted, no..three, wait, here come two more, oh no, now there are seven!!!! Including a sow and her tiny cub. We were now faced with a major wildlife dilemma, especially after two eagles were also sighted. What should we watch? The eagles, bears, whales, or magnificent sunset..and this was only our first day.
