Behind our tent the river flowed. Beyond the River a flood plain and then the Tidal lagoon that reaches the base of the Glacier. 100 years ago the Glacier sat where we camp. Now it has retreated a few miles and is visible as it falls into the canyon.
It's fed from the Sargeant Icefield and when the cold winds blow from the glacier you remember that that ice field is there.
The dynamics of temperature ensure that the glacier usually seems to glow whatever the weather.
The top photo was taken from the Spit with a long lense.
This one was taken from the shore of the Lagoon. To enter the Lagoon via it's channel is very tide dependant. So each day I'd try and time a wade across the river (carefully selected spot..that river is cold) at low tide and walk across the flood plain to the shore of the lagoon and watch for wildlife and to admire the beauty of the ice.
Seals pup here and the otters seem to do the same. If you are happy in cold water and ice you are free from killer whales who see you as dinner. They cannot pass up the channel.
Each day a different Art gallery of ice Sculpture is on display ..the beauty is temporary.
It is rather poignant looking at the bergs. They are such a fragile and emphemeral beauty ..yet also grand and formidable.
The really huge bergs may stay in the Lagoon several days, creaking and groaning, turning and changing until they are reduced in size and able to exit the channel.. or an especially high tide drags them over the flood plain leaving scores in the gravel.
Some times a stormy night of high wind will pulverize the bergs in the Lagoon and you walk across the shore to a crowded beach of smashed ice boulders.
The bergs often take on amazing shapes it's easy to see winged creatures in the ice... birds and dragons.
This year we had more rain and mists at the start of our stay so the bergs seemed to glow with extra shades of blues (there are compensations for being drenched)
Full rain gear and a wood stove where essentials for enjoyment this year. Lots of tea was drunk and many matches of cards played.
