On the first morning of seven days and nights in the southern passages, I woke up to icebergs. Perched above the iceberg was an eagle and above the eagle on an iceberg was a rainbow… All of which was happening in front of a waterfall.
![Alaskan Sunset](http://www.mattpaynewriter.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/IMG_3935.jpg)
An hour later, while watching a brown bear bumble adorably along the shoreline, just off the bow of the boat, a humpback whale leaped out of the water. By day’s end, the sun made a royal departure, turning the night purple and gold for just a moment until everything was silent. Pics are below and link to my two stories are here for 405 Magazine and here for Lost Tribe.
![286e-2ae8-6c8b-de13](http://www.mattpaynewriter.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/286e-2ae8-6c8b-de13.jpg)
![6617-f41f-1e12-bfbb](http://www.mattpaynewriter.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/6617-f41f-1e12-bfbb.jpg)
![Nothing rivals the EXPLOSION that follows as this glacier shed its primordial ice.](http://www.mattpaynewriter.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/DSC_0918.jpg)
![The view above Mendenhall Glacier](http://www.mattpaynewriter.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/IMG_3741.jpg)
![Salmon is always the best choice in Alaska.](http://www.mattpaynewriter.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/DSC_0507-2000x1333.jpg)
![An eagle perched on an iceberg looking for some lunch.](http://www.mattpaynewriter.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/DSCN9411.jpg)
![One of many waterfalls in the eastern passages.](http://www.mattpaynewriter.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/IMG_3975.jpg)
![Humpback tail](http://www.mattpaynewriter.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/05f7-9a5b-4d4e-6f2f.jpg)
![an old volcanic plug](http://www.mattpaynewriter.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/IMG_4210.jpg)