We spent the first morning of our expedition exploring Endicott Arm. This magnificent fjord is the perfect example of the ecological transition that takes place after glaciers recede and give space for many forms of life. All this happens in chronological order, and we can read the mountains like an open textbook that show the history of this ecosystem. We can learn how this landscape was sculpted by glaciers that are mostly gone and see some of the wildlife that inhabits this remote corner of the earth.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 04 Jun 2017
Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier, 6/4/2017, National Geographic Sea Bird
- Aboard the National Geographic Sea Bird
- Alaska
Alberto Montaudon, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor
Alberto fell in love with nature as a young child. Born and raised in Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico, His father taught him from a very early age to understand, love, and respect nature. Due to his upbringing, Alberto became a biologist, decided to foll...
Read MoreShare Report
Alaska's Inside Passage
VIEW ITINERARYRelated Reports
5/28/2025
Read
National Geographic Venture
Kelp Bay
Southeast Alaska’s rainforest was verdant in the morning rain. Small whitecaps textured the surface of the sea as we searched for marine life. Then, ahead in the distance, a big splash. Then another splash, followed by another. The bridge team expertly moved our ship closer. The young humpback whale had unlimited energy for throwing itself out of the water and flopping back in. We watched this youngster breach over and over until we needed to be on our way. Our next off-vessel excursion was on Baranof Island in Kelp Bay. Bushwhackers and moderate hikers passed along animal trails, climbing through Sitka spruces and western hemlocks. Giant bear’s bread fungus sprouted from downed trees. Delicate flowers, including Jeffrey Shooting Stars, decorated the path. We made our way to the boggy muskeg where few trees survive the wet environment. Streams of snowmelt and raindrops were occasionally blocked by the busy work of beavers. The forest was quiet and warm while hardy Zodiac cruisers toured the shoreline to view waterfalls and gulls hitching a ride on a floating log. Once back on board, we felt the warm comfort of the ship and came to realize that in just a few days, National Geographic Venture has come to feel like home.
5/27/2025
Read
National Geographic Quest
Glacier Bay National Park
A nice morning that only got better and prettier and sunnier! Truly a gift to bring guests here to witness the scale and diversity of ice and wildlife. South Marble Island had so many tufted puffins, and a few unexpected horned puffins, with sea lions and humpback whales galore. During lunch, we cruised up towards Margerie Glacier to view the impressive glacier and look for Arctic terns. Afterwards, we went past Gloomy Knob and saw mountain goats, looked for wildlife at Russel Cut (saw an osprey!), and ended the day with a stunning colorful sunset with an abundance of whales!