02 Jul 2015

Natalia Bay Adventures

The lack of blogs recently is an indication that we have been extremely busy. For example, yesterday started with a wake up call at 0545 and finished at 2100 when the last group arrived back aboard.

The day began with a couple hours ashore for some intensive birding at the head of Natalia Bay. We returned to the ship for breakfast then dropped two search teams into a remote wetland area to spend the day checking for migratory waders. They hoped to locate some Spoon-billed Sandpipers but sadly none was seen. The remainder of the party split into two with one group undertaking a serious hike between two fiords which allowed them to gain some altitude and see different tundra plants and wildlife. The other group took the Zodiacs up a fiord on a successful search for Walrus. Both groups also had sightings of Mountain Sheep.

This morning we spent time in the Zodiacs with a group of Gray Whales which were feeding in shallow water off an estuary mouth. Time pretty much stood still as we watched these magnificent creatures just a few metres away from us. Later we landed to check out waders and waterfowl in the estuary only to have a wonderful Brown Bear encounter. He was very curious about us and came close enough to provide some great photos. Now we are back aboard and looking forward to more encounters this afternoon, though it would be difficult to trump what we have experienced over the past few days.