Our next stop is the Columbia Glacier, the most active glacier in this area. As we approached, we saw several icebergs floating in the water. Some of the icebergs were the most incredible blue, some were black and of course, some were white. The blue color comes from having all the air pushed out of the ice from the pressure of the glacier above. The black ones have picked up lots of dirt and rocks, they have probably come from the bottom or sides of the glacier. The white ones are from nearer the top of the glacier. The crew took pictures with our cameras of anyone who wanted in front of one really spectacular iceberg. They also supplied a few props. Since many people use these photos on their Holiday cards, they supplied "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Hanukah" signs for the photos.  We waited to see the glacier "calve", or drop large icebergs into the water. Captain Fred showed us what to look for, large cracks in the glacier face, points extending, ready to drop. As we were watching one area just ahead, a huge chunk dropped off to our left and behind us. We all turn to see the wave in the water and we missed another area of calving. We all have our cameras trained on the wrong spot.  

Original Photo