Idaho Inlet & Inian Islands
We woke to calm misty waters while slowly nearing the mouth of Idaho Inlet. The silt- white channel was full of life. An individual humpback whale surprised us just off the bow as it rose to the surface, mouth agape. And just up ahead, as if on a Disneyland boat adventure, a grouping of 5 or 6 sea otters rested on their backs seemingly awaiting our passing.
Morning gave way to kayaking around two small islets, the larger called Shaw Island. Though at times we struggled through long strands of bull kelp, some of us even experiencing a light rain shower, the beauty of the majestic surroundings captivated and inspired us.
Meanwhile, on the north coast of Chichagof Island, hikers ventured through the forest, up Fox Creek and to a bog—our first experience in what locals call a muskeg. Along the way we discussed the medicinal properties of one of the most feared plants in Alaska, the Devil’s club. We also learned that bees utilize the vibration of their buzz in the extraction of pollen from a lovely forest flower called the shooting star. For those whose imaginations run wild, seeing evidence of brown bears was thrilling. Strands of its brown hair caught in congealed sap and claw marks on spruce trees were all clear indications of their mysterious presence.
Later in the afternoon, we traveled through one of the few channels leading to open ocean. It is also one of the entrances into the Alexander Archipelago that salmon use in returning to their breeding grounds after years at sea. Here, of course, the Steller sea lions (northern sea lion), brilliant in their choice of real estate, can easily intercept the fish. For now the sea lions congregate on the guano-covered rocky islet, their neighbors a flock of pelagic cormorants, and wait. Juvenile sea lions picked fights with the gargantuan lazy bulls past their prime. Other juveniles enjoyed being taken by the currents and poked their curious heads up high out of the water. Pigeon guillemots, rather conspicuous with their black and white plumage, offered up cheery surprises as they took flight and revealed a pair of almost cartoon-like red feet. Quietly we approached two adult sea otters and a pup hidden in a cove. Another fortunate group encountered not only the sea going version of this weasel species, but a family of river otters darted along the rocky shoreline. It was yet another incredible day!
We woke to calm misty waters while slowly nearing the mouth of Idaho Inlet. The silt- white channel was full of life. An individual humpback whale surprised us just off the bow as it rose to the surface, mouth agape. And just up ahead, as if on a Disneyland boat adventure, a grouping of 5 or 6 sea otters rested on their backs seemingly awaiting our passing.
Morning gave way to kayaking around two small islets, the larger called Shaw Island. Though at times we struggled through long strands of bull kelp, some of us even experiencing a light rain shower, the beauty of the majestic surroundings captivated and inspired us.
Meanwhile, on the north coast of Chichagof Island, hikers ventured through the forest, up Fox Creek and to a bog—our first experience in what locals call a muskeg. Along the way we discussed the medicinal properties of one of the most feared plants in Alaska, the Devil’s club. We also learned that bees utilize the vibration of their buzz in the extraction of pollen from a lovely forest flower called the shooting star. For those whose imaginations run wild, seeing evidence of brown bears was thrilling. Strands of its brown hair caught in congealed sap and claw marks on spruce trees were all clear indications of their mysterious presence.
Later in the afternoon, we traveled through one of the few channels leading to open ocean. It is also one of the entrances into the Alexander Archipelago that salmon use in returning to their breeding grounds after years at sea. Here, of course, the Steller sea lions (northern sea lion), brilliant in their choice of real estate, can easily intercept the fish. For now the sea lions congregate on the guano-covered rocky islet, their neighbors a flock of pelagic cormorants, and wait. Juvenile sea lions picked fights with the gargantuan lazy bulls past their prime. Other juveniles enjoyed being taken by the currents and poked their curious heads up high out of the water. Pigeon guillemots, rather conspicuous with their black and white plumage, offered up cheery surprises as they took flight and revealed a pair of almost cartoon-like red feet. Quietly we approached two adult sea otters and a pup hidden in a cove. Another fortunate group encountered not only the sea going version of this weasel species, but a family of river otters darted along the rocky shoreline. It was yet another incredible day!
