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InnerSea Discoveries - Wilderness Discoverer Cruise of Alaska's Inside Passage

By , About.com Guide

11 of 15

Humpback Whales Bubble-Net Feeding All Over Again - Day 5
Humpback whales bubble-net feeding near Frederick Sound in Alaska's Inside Passage

Humpback whales bubble-net feeding near Frederick Sound in Alaska's Inside Passage

Humpback Whales (c) Linda Garrison
Although people who know me might be surprised, but humpback whale watching was much more important than dinner. We abandoned the buffet line, ran by the cabin to get coats, hats, gloves, cameras, and binoculars and headed outside. It was 6:30, and the sea was perfectly calm. In addition, the bubble-net feeding was the best any of us (including the crew) had ever seen. A pod of at least six humpbacks demonstrated the technique over and over (at least 25 times) during the next 1.5 hours. Captain Marce finally moved the Wilderness Discoverer away, since about 20 of us weren't going to go to dinner as long as the whale show was on. The water was so calm that we got to see the ring of bubbles every time before the whales popped out of the water. They came very near the ship one time as they rested before diving again, and we all got a great close-up look. After an hour or so, Marce slowly moved the ship away and we adjourned to dinner.

After dinner, Jenny did a presentation on marine mammals. Soon it was time for bed. This day just showed how things can change. About 2:30 in the afternoon, we were talking about what a quiet day it had been. Five hours later, many claimed it was the best day yet. You know when the galley crew is out on deck during dinner hour snapping photos that something very special is going on!

Captain Marce headed the ship through the calm waters towards Port Houghton Bay, where we anchored about 10:30 pm. Early the next morning, we would move further up the narrow harbor and have a day of kayaking, hiking, and small boat riding.

Alaska Adventure on the Innersea Discoveries Wilderness Discoverer -- Cruise Travel Log

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