Day 4 - Glacier Bay

Wednesday June 3, Day 4 of the expediton started with a stop at Bartlett Cove, headquarters of Glacier Bay National Park, to pick up a park ranger who would guide us through the park. The cruise to Glacier Bay took us to South Marble Island, a habitat for sea lions and a variety of sea birds, including tufted puffins, a favorite of the ship's passengers. Along the way we spotted a mountain goat with her kid, probably less than one week old.

Once in Glacier Bay, the scenery changed from wildlife to ice, with views of the Lamplugh, Carroll, Margerie and Grand Pacific Glaciers. After waiting nearly forty-five minutes for a spectacular calving event, we had to be satisfied with only a relatively small splash. On the return trip, black bears took center stage in Geike Inlet. The day ended with a sunset docking back at Bartlett Cove and a visit to the nature exhibits in the national park visitor center.