Petersburg and Frederick Sound
Early morning brought us to the quaint fishing village of Petersburg where a bald eagle, perched upon a buoy, welcomed the Sea Lion into the rugged state of Alaska. After a brief clearing by American customs, some chose to disembark for an exploration of the nearby muskeg. Others chose to take a scenic flight over North America’s southernmost tidal glacier, LeConte.
On the walk we explored the transition from a lush temperate rainforest into the dwarfed shore pine forest of the bog. We found carnivorous sundews and the less ferocious pink flowering bog rosemary. We were also offered a rare glimpse of the normally timid Sitka black-tailed deer munching on skunk cabbage.
After lunch we sailed north through Frederick Sound. A call to the bow produced a welcome surprise…humpback whales! The afternoon light and calm seas made it easy for us to experience the beauty of these amazing animals. In one direction a solo humpback was tail breaching, while other groups dove in unison possibly searching for a meal. One whale cruised past the ship, sharing its “fingerprint” as it went down on a dive. Humpback whale flukes have distinctive markings allowing folks to follow animals throughout their lives. We all agreed that the name “Icicle” suited this particular whale due to the black icicle-shaped marking on the underside of its fluke. The combination of light and sights will not soon be forgotten.
The evening was topped by a recap performed by the stewards and a meal of Dungeness and snow crab served by the naturalists. Today was a day enjoyed by all aboard the M.V. Sea Lion.
Early morning brought us to the quaint fishing village of Petersburg where a bald eagle, perched upon a buoy, welcomed the Sea Lion into the rugged state of Alaska. After a brief clearing by American customs, some chose to disembark for an exploration of the nearby muskeg. Others chose to take a scenic flight over North America’s southernmost tidal glacier, LeConte.
On the walk we explored the transition from a lush temperate rainforest into the dwarfed shore pine forest of the bog. We found carnivorous sundews and the less ferocious pink flowering bog rosemary. We were also offered a rare glimpse of the normally timid Sitka black-tailed deer munching on skunk cabbage.
After lunch we sailed north through Frederick Sound. A call to the bow produced a welcome surprise…humpback whales! The afternoon light and calm seas made it easy for us to experience the beauty of these amazing animals. In one direction a solo humpback was tail breaching, while other groups dove in unison possibly searching for a meal. One whale cruised past the ship, sharing its “fingerprint” as it went down on a dive. Humpback whale flukes have distinctive markings allowing folks to follow animals throughout their lives. We all agreed that the name “Icicle” suited this particular whale due to the black icicle-shaped marking on the underside of its fluke. The combination of light and sights will not soon be forgotten.
The evening was topped by a recap performed by the stewards and a meal of Dungeness and snow crab served by the naturalists. Today was a day enjoyed by all aboard the M.V. Sea Lion.
