We took a full-day boat tour of Prince William Sound up to Columbia Glacier. Lots of beautiful scenery and wildlife along the way but the highlight was arriving at the Glacier ice field. We were amazed.
All of the pictures in this post are straight-out-of-the camera and were taken without using a zoom lens. We were this close!
In the picture above the boat was a mile and a half from the face of the Glacier. Those giant "snowballs" are actually chunks of ice that flew on top of icebergs when the glacier calved. (Calving is the word used to describe the process of ice breaking free from the face of the glacier.)
Here (above) we were one mile from the face of the Glacier. The ice was getting thick and the Captain was having to pick his way carefully through the ice-field.
And here we are only one-half mile from the face of Columbia Glacier. Most of this floating ice calved during the night as the Captain said the waterway had been much more open the day before. The large cracks in the face of the glacier are where more calving will soon take place.
The Captain stopped the boat at this point for over an hour, so that we could watch for calving and take lots and lots of pictures. When we were ready to leave, he had some difficulty maneuvering the boat to free it from the ice that had packed in around us.
I tried to relax and remind myself that he had done this many times before.
Sharing this memorable experience with OUR WORLD ON TUESDAY. Thank you to the hosts.
Fantastic! These scenes are fantastic enough with just your photos, but to see it in person must have been jaw-dropping.
Posted by: Pat | August 19, 2014 at 10:42 PM
WOW! This is so Amazing! I've never even seen a glacier and can't believe you're so close. Sure this wasn't an icebreaker instead of a tour boat.
Posted by: Gaelyn | August 17, 2014 at 10:32 PM
These are magnificent photos, Sallie. I can only imagine the power and brilliance of seeing glaciers so close. Thank you for sharing these.
Posted by: Penny | August 15, 2014 at 06:55 PM
What a beautiful but other-worldy scene.
Posted by: Barb | August 15, 2014 at 03:30 PM
The glaciers look amazing! Awesome photos!
Posted by: Bethany Carson | August 14, 2014 at 08:21 PM
Zounds! What a sight and what great photos. I don't think I could have relaxed no matter how much experience the captain had. But then again, you really didn't have many options out there! :)
Posted by: Lowell | August 14, 2014 at 05:22 AM
That is stunning!
Posted by: SandyCarlson | August 13, 2014 at 07:06 PM
OMG! What FANTASTIC tour that must have been, Sallie. Not many of us experience that wonder of the nature(^_^)ｖ
I kew the other meaning of the 'calve' but notfor the glacier :-)
Oh, even a scary time involved; I think "All is well, That's ends well"♪♪♪
Sending you lots of love and hugs to my dear Japanese friend in America, xoxo Miyako*
Posted by: orchid | August 13, 2014 at 12:09 AM
Wow that would be a little scary but my how beautiful it is.
Posted by: Felicia | August 12, 2014 at 07:42 PM
A real icy soup. Looks very cold!
Posted by: Dianne | August 12, 2014 at 12:13 PM
Whoa! The color of that ice is gorgeous!!!! This is a trip you'll never forget. I want to go so much!!
Posted by: Gail | August 12, 2014 at 11:12 AM
Wonderful and so amazing, Sallie ! I like a lot the blue colour of the ice...
Posted by: Annie | August 12, 2014 at 08:22 AM
What a gigantic refrigerator.
How can we make use of it?
Posted by: Rainfield M Penang | August 12, 2014 at 07:46 AM
ON My that was an icy post!! Marvelous experience, i bet.
Posted by: Sondra-SC | August 12, 2014 at 07:43 AM
Beautiful colors~
Blessings,
Aimee
Posted by: Aimee | August 12, 2014 at 07:37 AM
WOW! What a great experience!
Posted by: EG CameraGirl | August 12, 2014 at 06:26 AM
Goodness me you were close, what an amazing experience. I shivered looking at these great photos Sallie!
Posted by: lindyloumacinitaly | August 12, 2014 at 04:59 AM
That is a remarkable.
When I get WBW organised for tonight I may have to look at the cost of tours!
I am not 100% sure you are correct in your assessment of the origin of my man with a hat!
Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Posted by: Stewart M | August 12, 2014 at 04:20 AM
How exciting....extraordinary!!!!
Posted by: Hootin' Anni | August 12, 2014 at 03:02 AM
Wow! What an experience. Talk about up close and in your face. I too would have been a bit nervous about getting out. Great shots and memories.
Posted by: diane | August 11, 2014 at 11:17 PM
What an amazing adventure. Terrific photos!
Posted by: Karen, Pixel Posts | August 11, 2014 at 09:55 PM
wow, impressive.
Posted by: Photo Cache | August 11, 2014 at 08:45 PM
Wow.... Amazing, but I would be nervous too...
Posted by: Ramblingwoods | August 11, 2014 at 07:32 PM
What a fantastic sight. It looks cold, especially for the summer!
Posted by: Al | August 11, 2014 at 06:49 PM
How awesome!The glacier and floating ice look amazing. It must have been a bit scary trying to leave the area.
Posted by: Hazel | August 11, 2014 at 03:59 PM
How impressive and awesome, Sallie! You must have felt that overpowering feeling of being so small in this great natural happening. This is so very beautiful and also a pity that the ice disappears in such a quick time. That colour blue of the ice is so stunning!
Posted by: Reader Wil | August 11, 2014 at 03:51 PM
What a fabulous experience, Sallie! The blue color of all this ice is amazing. Did the ship's caption feel that the glaciers were melting more than normal? I saw the ocean and bay levels rising when I lived on the east coast. so I was concerned about this.
Posted by: Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti | August 11, 2014 at 02:50 PM
wow, that is SO neat! and kind of sad, too, since it is disappearing so quickly. just beautiful blue!
Posted by: TexWisGirl | August 11, 2014 at 02:13 PM
Sallie, these are awesome shots of the glacier and all that ice.. I would be happy yo have an experienced captain.. Thanks for sharing, have a happy week!
Posted by: Eileene | August 11, 2014 at 02:09 PM
Stunning photos, our small planet has sometimes his own beauty.
Posted by: Christian | August 11, 2014 at 01:30 PM
Wow, that looks so exciting and fantastic shots.
Posted by: Carver | August 11, 2014 at 01:22 PM
It's like a terrible beauty. I'd be afraid to get stranded somehow. I love the blue tint. Fantastic!
Posted by: Colleen | August 11, 2014 at 01:08 PM
I can well imagine that it could be a bit frightening maneuvering through such terrain. Frozen chunks can create conditions as precarious as sailing through rocky coastlines. No matter how cold it looks and feels, ice breaking up is a sure sign that the weather is getting warmer. :)
Posted by: Penelope Puddlisms | August 11, 2014 at 01:04 PM
Those are amazing photos. What an experience.
Posted by: fun60 | August 11, 2014 at 12:57 PM
Wow! What fantastic photography of a magnificent place ~ beyond words ~ thanks for sharing the beauty of your experience ~ xoxox
artmusedog and carol (A Creative Harbor)
Posted by: artmusedog and carol | August 11, 2014 at 12:43 PM