Petersburg, Alaska
This early May morning we awoke to the forested shores of Southeast and while mountains met the waters edge they were concealed in fog that added a chill to the thrill for dedicated bow observers. Enjoying the passage of time in early morning hours we weaved through the gates of Wrangell Narrows. As the morning grew closer to our normal wake up call, layers were shed and fog unveiled the trees and higher mountain reaches. Pulling into the Petersburg harbor we were excited for the prospects of the day, anticipating our chosen activities of flight-seeing, time ashore and exploring the muskeg.
As people flight-seeing parted for their float planes, others headed into town. The Sons of Norway Hall greeted us to this piece of “little Norway” founded by a Norwegian in 1897. Petersburg was built around a cannery constructed from local timbers and whose salmon was chilled on ice from the nearby glacier. Today, fishing is still the lifeline for Petersburg’s residents and, like all Alaskan communities, depends on the stringent management of the Alaskan fisheries.
As flight-seers returned from the awe inspiring floatplane experience, highlights were shared of glaciers carving through what someday will be fjords, harbor seals hauled out on bergs and sightings of humpbacks, mountain goats and bear.
With Zodiacs tied to the dock at stern we parted Mitkof Island for the forest and muskeg of Kupreanof. Crossing the Narrows we could see Devils Thumb, one of the boundary peaks defining the border between Alaska and Canada. Blessed by yet another sunny day in the temperate rainforest we explored the woody hollow and all agreed we could have spent days observing the details in the mosaic of this rich and multilayered wilderness. Returning to the mother ship for lunch we had no idea what would unfold as we set course for Baranof Island.
Leaving Petersburg sun kissed and satiated, we headed north into Frederick Sound. On the north end of Kupreanof Island we sighted blows in the not so far distance and were rewarded with our first humpback sighting. Tail slapping and pectoral fin waving, the Latin name of “big winged New Englander” (Megaptera novaeangliae) appropriately summed up the long pectoral fins this whale so sweetly shared. It was not long before we left this whale that more were spotted in the distance.
Approaching cow and calf, we were in for quite a treat! An active nursing female plunged to depths unseen, leaving her calf at the surface. Playfully waving her pectoral fins and rolling on the surface, the calf seemed undisturbed by our presence and her mother’s absence. Then the 40+ foot long female, weighing an equal amount in tons as in length, would project herself out of the water... again and again. After multiple breaches from the mother, the calf and ship became quite close and the calf rolled and played with seaweed right off the bow. Staring down unto this amazing creature, we could see all the details of her design and were awe struck by the lengthy and intimate observation she allowed us.
When mother and calf finally rejoined they parted paths from the National Geographic Sea Bird and we continued on our way to more adventures.
This early May morning we awoke to the forested shores of Southeast and while mountains met the waters edge they were concealed in fog that added a chill to the thrill for dedicated bow observers. Enjoying the passage of time in early morning hours we weaved through the gates of Wrangell Narrows. As the morning grew closer to our normal wake up call, layers were shed and fog unveiled the trees and higher mountain reaches. Pulling into the Petersburg harbor we were excited for the prospects of the day, anticipating our chosen activities of flight-seeing, time ashore and exploring the muskeg.
As people flight-seeing parted for their float planes, others headed into town. The Sons of Norway Hall greeted us to this piece of “little Norway” founded by a Norwegian in 1897. Petersburg was built around a cannery constructed from local timbers and whose salmon was chilled on ice from the nearby glacier. Today, fishing is still the lifeline for Petersburg’s residents and, like all Alaskan communities, depends on the stringent management of the Alaskan fisheries.
As flight-seers returned from the awe inspiring floatplane experience, highlights were shared of glaciers carving through what someday will be fjords, harbor seals hauled out on bergs and sightings of humpbacks, mountain goats and bear.
With Zodiacs tied to the dock at stern we parted Mitkof Island for the forest and muskeg of Kupreanof. Crossing the Narrows we could see Devils Thumb, one of the boundary peaks defining the border between Alaska and Canada. Blessed by yet another sunny day in the temperate rainforest we explored the woody hollow and all agreed we could have spent days observing the details in the mosaic of this rich and multilayered wilderness. Returning to the mother ship for lunch we had no idea what would unfold as we set course for Baranof Island.
Leaving Petersburg sun kissed and satiated, we headed north into Frederick Sound. On the north end of Kupreanof Island we sighted blows in the not so far distance and were rewarded with our first humpback sighting. Tail slapping and pectoral fin waving, the Latin name of “big winged New Englander” (Megaptera novaeangliae) appropriately summed up the long pectoral fins this whale so sweetly shared. It was not long before we left this whale that more were spotted in the distance.
Approaching cow and calf, we were in for quite a treat! An active nursing female plunged to depths unseen, leaving her calf at the surface. Playfully waving her pectoral fins and rolling on the surface, the calf seemed undisturbed by our presence and her mother’s absence. Then the 40+ foot long female, weighing an equal amount in tons as in length, would project herself out of the water... again and again. After multiple breaches from the mother, the calf and ship became quite close and the calf rolled and played with seaweed right off the bow. Staring down unto this amazing creature, we could see all the details of her design and were awe struck by the lengthy and intimate observation she allowed us.
When mother and calf finally rejoined they parted paths from the National Geographic Sea Bird and we continued on our way to more adventures.
