Idaho Inlet
For the past few days we have experienced the climate (rain, mist and low clouds) that has made Southeast Alaska what it is. This temperate rain forest has many interesting facets. We have walked among the trees and learned about the plants and forest ecology. Today would be different. The Sea Bird had made her way to Icy Straight, which is the end of the Inland Passage from Seattle all the way to Glacier Bay National Park. In this part of Southeast Alaska the environment is more marine in nature. The forest is dwindled and young due to the constant barrage from Pacific Ocean storms. Today there would be no storms as the weather was very nice. The wildlife would be different as well.
We began our exploration on George Island. This small island just north of Chichagof Island was a great spot to kayak, walk or take a Zodiac ride. Views of sea otters, Steller sea lions, and feeding humpback whales were had from shore and boat alike. The walk was an adventure with a destination; a World War II cannon emplacement armed with a World War I cannon. The cannon still in place, silently watching over Cross Sound as the forest around it reclaims the land.
After lunch we had more experiences with Steller sea lions. Once in the Zodiacs we had a close up look at the bellowing, belching, behemoths of the beach - or in this case the ground surface was a rocky outcropping worn smooth with the thousands of times that these large animals had crawled across the shoreline. Several swam towards the boats to see what all the clicking of shutters was about.
The marine mammal feast for the senses continued later in the day when the ship came around Lemesuir Island and literally found a soup of activity. Harbor porpoise, Dalls porpoise, sea otters, more Steller sea lions, and at least 20 humpback whales all plied the calm waters. The humpbacks stole the show with feeding, exhalations, and to top it off many breaches right off the bow of the ship.
We spent the night at anchor and thought about the day’s experiences.
For the past few days we have experienced the climate (rain, mist and low clouds) that has made Southeast Alaska what it is. This temperate rain forest has many interesting facets. We have walked among the trees and learned about the plants and forest ecology. Today would be different. The Sea Bird had made her way to Icy Straight, which is the end of the Inland Passage from Seattle all the way to Glacier Bay National Park. In this part of Southeast Alaska the environment is more marine in nature. The forest is dwindled and young due to the constant barrage from Pacific Ocean storms. Today there would be no storms as the weather was very nice. The wildlife would be different as well.
We began our exploration on George Island. This small island just north of Chichagof Island was a great spot to kayak, walk or take a Zodiac ride. Views of sea otters, Steller sea lions, and feeding humpback whales were had from shore and boat alike. The walk was an adventure with a destination; a World War II cannon emplacement armed with a World War I cannon. The cannon still in place, silently watching over Cross Sound as the forest around it reclaims the land.
After lunch we had more experiences with Steller sea lions. Once in the Zodiacs we had a close up look at the bellowing, belching, behemoths of the beach - or in this case the ground surface was a rocky outcropping worn smooth with the thousands of times that these large animals had crawled across the shoreline. Several swam towards the boats to see what all the clicking of shutters was about.
The marine mammal feast for the senses continued later in the day when the ship came around Lemesuir Island and literally found a soup of activity. Harbor porpoise, Dalls porpoise, sea otters, more Steller sea lions, and at least 20 humpback whales all plied the calm waters. The humpbacks stole the show with feeding, exhalations, and to top it off many breaches right off the bow of the ship.
We spent the night at anchor and thought about the day’s experiences.
