Kelp Bay and Morris Reef
Today was the last of our expedition in Southeast Alaska, and Alaska would not disappoint us with her offerings. Through thick and thin fog the Sea Bird sailed in search of a route to Pond Island. This small (by Alaskan standards) island is located in Kelp Bay. Once anchored there were chances to kayak along the rocky shorelines, Zodiac cruise to view perched eagles and swimming harbor seals, or walk along the slough to a beaver pond. The topography in most of Southeast Alaska is steep enough to be to inhospitable to dam building by beavers. But Pond Island is low and flat enough for the animals to have made a nice living. Beavers create forest succession by flooding out lowland areas with their dam building. Some walks went just to the dam while others walked not only around the pond but to the other side of the island. The scenery and wildlife were plentiful.
After lunch, a final showing of the LEX Market was offered as the Sea Bird made her way to Morris Reef. As we approached, blows could be seen in the distance. We had seen humpback whales throughout our expedition but not cooperative feeding by the whales. This behavior of bubblenet feeding is not unique to Alaska but seen most often here in the summertime. The explosion of a dozen whales at the surface with their enlarged pleats full of water was spectacular. We watched as the whales repeated this behavior more than ten times. It was an incredible finale to a great trip.
Today was the last of our expedition in Southeast Alaska, and Alaska would not disappoint us with her offerings. Through thick and thin fog the Sea Bird sailed in search of a route to Pond Island. This small (by Alaskan standards) island is located in Kelp Bay. Once anchored there were chances to kayak along the rocky shorelines, Zodiac cruise to view perched eagles and swimming harbor seals, or walk along the slough to a beaver pond. The topography in most of Southeast Alaska is steep enough to be to inhospitable to dam building by beavers. But Pond Island is low and flat enough for the animals to have made a nice living. Beavers create forest succession by flooding out lowland areas with their dam building. Some walks went just to the dam while others walked not only around the pond but to the other side of the island. The scenery and wildlife were plentiful.
After lunch, a final showing of the LEX Market was offered as the Sea Bird made her way to Morris Reef. As we approached, blows could be seen in the distance. We had seen humpback whales throughout our expedition but not cooperative feeding by the whales. This behavior of bubblenet feeding is not unique to Alaska but seen most often here in the summertime. The explosion of a dozen whales at the surface with their enlarged pleats full of water was spectacular. We watched as the whales repeated this behavior more than ten times. It was an incredible finale to a great trip.
