This gorgeous, misty day started with soft rays breaking through the clouds. This set the tone of our contrasting light all day. Dark luminous clouds, then gentle diffused golden color, as beautiful mist was replaced by moments of sunshine. Light that truly illuminated our way as we hiked along the forest path and excitedly raced from one side of the ship to the other in search of bubblenet feeding humpbacks.
We arrived on the shore at Lake Eva in anticipation for hikes into the emerald, moss-covered forest. Simultaneously, kayaking adventures were underway exploring the lagoon in hopes of harbor seal sightings. Some hiking groups progressed as far as the pristine lake, and others went to the falls to watch Carlos Navarro brave the cold river to snorkel and film various types of salmon.
Later in the afternoon, National Geographic Sea Bird cruised past forested Sitka spruce and western hemlock shorelines in search of humpback whales cooperatively feasting in groups, called bubblenet feeding. We stayed for hours observing the unique feeding behavioral habits of these cetaceans. It was suspenseful listening to their wide ranging, high-pitched screeches to then have them surprise us, each time anew, as they surged to the surface to consume herring. It was a day found only in Southeast Alaska!
