We awoke at Freshwater Bay, taking the zodiacs to Kettle Creek on Chichagof Island for a hike.  This was the naturalists' first time hiking Kettle Creek as well, so we were all new to this trail.  There was a logging road we took through much of Kettle Creek, and we were lucky: the sun started peaking through the clouds and the temperature warmed up just in time for our hike.  Our guide Eric (with Lindblad) led us into a muskeg; a muskeg is essentially a bog, and while we had briefly visited a muskeg on another hike this one was very large.  Because the muskeg is so acidic and lacking in nutrients, the plants have adapted to this strange but fascinating environment.  As you walk through the muskeg you can feel the ground shift underneath you, because it is so boggy; our guide said that bogginess goes for layers and layers underneath your feet, with years of muskeg underneath you.  The trees that grow here have a bonsai appearance, and the overall landscape looks like something from the Jurassic Era.  The sundew plants that sometimes grow in muskegs are carnivorous, and one of our naturalists (Sabina) found the sundews for us all to see.  One of the sundews was even in the process of eating a bug; the flowers were tiny but we were fortunate to find the elusive sundew.  Muskegs are very beneficial to the environment, as birds love the muskegs.  Back at the logging road we spotted a water oozle bird (also called an American Dipper), which stays and sings year-round in Alaska; it likes eating salmon eggs. The salmon will really start running here in two months, and you can see how this is a popular salmon spot.  We took the zodiacs back to National Geographic Quest for lunch, but this morning's weather was absolute perfection, and we discovered all kinds of plants and animals that made for great photos and learning experiences.  

The afternoon was left open for whale watching in Chatham Strait from the decks of National Geographic Quest, and it did not disappoint!  Lindblad naturalist Justin spotted large pods of orcas from very far away, and we were able to eventually get incredibly (but safely) close to the pods of orcas.  There were at least 12 orcas in each pod, and everyone was outside watching these massive creatures; you could sense the awe we all had for the experience as it was happening.  I am sure the Lindblad photographers and naturalists will be sharing their photos of the orcas with us, but for now I am thankful to fellow passenger Dr. Dennis for letting me showcase his pictures of today's orcas.  You are never guaranteed that you will see whales in Chatham Strait, so I am incredibly grateful that the orcas made an appearance today.  To see them jumping out of the water over and over again, in family groups, was incredible.  The weather turned much colder and windier for the whale watching, but the sun was out and the sky was clear of rain so it could not have been better.  After whale watching we had a special guest speaker who covered all kinds of information related to whales and the ongoing efforts to protect them.  We were surprised at dinner with a gorgeous waterfall view; Kasnyku Falls was just outside the dining room window, and there could not have been a better view.