The wind was blowing, and the seas were choppy as we traveled through Peril Strait in the early morning hours. By the time we set anchor in Hanus Bay, both were much more settled, and we shuttled off in Zodiacs to the landing beach where we took to the trails of Lake Eva. The rain was light, and it truly felt like it should in a temperate rainforest. A peaceful stillness, until the radios began ringing out with calls alerting all to bear sightings in the lagoon. A coastal brown sow with her two second season cubs were searching the water for the plump chum salmon making their way upstream. The bears seemed aware of our presence and calm excitement from the trail, yet they were content to continue feasting intermixed with a little play fighting by the cubs!
And as if watching brown bears wasn’t already a wonderful highlight, we cruised Chatham Strait after lunch and came upon eight humpback whales travelling together. There were at least two mom/calf pairs amongst the other adult whales, and as these whales slowly moved along with rather synchronized breaths, a beautiful rainbow appeared. Yes, this is Southeast Alaska!
