Our first hint of the temperate rainforest greeted us this morning with scattered rain, mist, and mountains, providing the perfect backdrop for our hikes ashore. We also launched our fleet of kayaks into the serene and quiet waters of Lowe Inlet. The theme this morning was all about reflections. The low tide and calm winds allowed for beautiful, reflective scenes, whether we were hiking or kayaking. The water was glass-like and provided the most tranquil scene that was only disturbed by the movement of a paddle stroke. On shore, guests had the chance to casually walk throughout the intertidal zone, where each step they took had the sponginess of the rockweed, the crunch of barnacles, and the chatter of ravens to keep them company. Guests could also do a bit more exploring on one of the two bushwhack hikes, and they had the chance to meander along the shore as well as into the forest for a completely different adventure. Berries, fungi, and even carnivorous plants awaited those who ventured deep into the thickets of trees. After our morning explorations at Lowe Inlet, the ship weighed anchor and headed back out into the Glenville Channel and towards Prince Royal Island in search of wildlife.
9/24/2023
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National Geographic Venture
Union Passage
This is Erin and Alison (Grosvenor Teacher Fellows) taking over the daily expedition report one last time before we head home. Today on National Geographic Venture , we cruised an inlet along the coastal shores of British Columbia. The morning was spent on Zodiacs. We explored the islands and took a nice, casual walk along the coastal beach. With informative talks by our naturalist throughout our journey, we were excited to implement our new learning in this ecosystem. On Zodiacs, we stopped by one coast and spotted a nurse tree with a Sitka spruce growing from it. A kingfisher perched on top of the spruce and then flew past us with its unique musical call. A harbor seal popped over to say hi as well. As we hiked the shoreline, we found ourselves stepping over fallen driftwood. Taking a closer look, we discovered turkey tail fungus and slime mold growing on the fallen trees. Barnacles and remnants of bull kelp were scattered along the shore. Continuing to walk along the beach, we observed interesting rock formations. We are enthusiastic about science and nature. During our time aboard National Geographic Venture , we found ourselves more informed, more engaged, and more passionate about this beautiful ecosystem. We loved the discoveries we made while immersed in this space, and we incorporated the information provided by naturalists who shared their passion and work with us. We know that visiting this land is a special gift, and we look forward to sharing our newfound knowledge, experience, and connections with our school communities. Text and photographs by Grosvenor Teacher Fellows, Alison Katzko and Erin Schmidt