Glacier Bay

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Following

Diving

Tufted Puffin

We anchor overnight near the mouth of Glacier Bay and in the morning we pick up national park Ranger Jeannine as a an interpreter for the day. The number of daily vessels in the park is limited and each one is assigned a ranger guide. She is peppy and great with the kids onboard – must have been a teacher.

Pete and Gretcen

Cloudy, rain, and it is getting colder. Bundle up to go out to the bow for sightings of moose, puffins, whales, and sea lions as we head north towards the glaciers. The water color gradually turns a beautiful pale turquoise green as the water contains more glacial runoff.

Fog is Lifting

As we go north the fog and rain clears off a bit and the glaciers at the end of the bay are spectacular. We stop for half an hour to listen and are rewarded by a couple of ice calving events with blocks of ice falling to the water with resounding booms. Nearby someone spots an orange tent on the shoreline and soon the campers head out to join us at the glacier face.

They Camped Nearby

Icy Water

Glacier Face

We eventually leave and the ship makes more stops at other glaciers and (highlight) at brown bears feeding on a whale carcass. The bears saunter along the beach towards the whale, which was first spotted in March. For three months the carcass has attracted all manner of scavenger, and they are not done yet. When the get there they are in no particular hurry, but just pick at a few places before playing a little in the water. There is plenty to eat here, and the whale is just one element in their diet - berry season lasts a long time.

Bears Eating Whale