Saginaw Bay & Chatham Strait
After a day of Southeast Alaska rain yesterday, our early morning wakeup in Saginaw Bay was magnificent! Quiet and still, with just a hint of sunshine, we knew that this day would bring some surprises. Low-hanging clouds and snow covered mountains in the distance made for an incredibly scenic view, as some of us arose early to watch seabirds and a lone sea otter looking for breakfast in Halleck Harbor.
We came ashore at high tide and set off in search of various adventures. Many of us entered the rainforest and were treated to views of some of the largest old-growth conifers we had ever witnessed in this part of the Tongass National Forest. Others set out for a morning of kayaking, exploring the coastline and limestone cliffs of the northeast corner of the bay. Many intrepid kayakers even went around the bay to look at a pictograph painted on one of the limestone cliffs.
We cruised out into Frederick Sound just after lunch and a contingent gathered on deck to look for wildlife. Initially, some blows were seen in the distance along with a glimpse of a rather elusive whale. We set our sights on Yasha Island and were rewarded with a Steller’s sea lion haulout. These large, gregarious, sandy-colored pinnipeds were relaxing in the afternoon sun on the craggy rocks on the end of the island. Some of us retired to our cabins for a much-needed afternoon nap while others remained on deck to spot seabirds, an occasional Dall’s porpoise, and even Rufous hummingbirds. Sharon eloquently described Northwest Coast Art in her afternoon presentation and shared beautiful photographs and examples.
The afternoon brought more sunlight and incredible views of the snowcapped peaks of Baranof Island. With the wind at our stern, the bow became the place to congregate and scan the shoreline and waterways for wildlife. We visited Kaznyku Waterfall, and the spring runoff made for an impressive sight. Harlequin ducks and Barrow’s goldeneyes foraged in the swiftly-moving currents at the base of the falls.
Just as we began to come inside and gather for cocktail hour, we heard the call of “Whales! Port side ahead!” We scrambled to get our binoculars, warm jackets, and all means of whale-watching paraphernalia and rushed out onto the deck. We watched three humpback whales dive repeatedly, presumably in search of the small fish and krill that make Alaskan waters so attractive to all manners of cetaceans in the summer months.
Everyone enjoyed watching the 35-40 ft. long humpbacks at the entrance to Kelp Bay and dinner was delayed to give our eyes (and cameras!) a chance to take in the show. Alas, eventually our hunger took over and we departed, returning once again to the waters of Chatham Strait. As we continued our northward course, the alpenglow from the sun slowly waning over Baranof Island made for a fine end to a wonderful day.
After a day of Southeast Alaska rain yesterday, our early morning wakeup in Saginaw Bay was magnificent! Quiet and still, with just a hint of sunshine, we knew that this day would bring some surprises. Low-hanging clouds and snow covered mountains in the distance made for an incredibly scenic view, as some of us arose early to watch seabirds and a lone sea otter looking for breakfast in Halleck Harbor.
We came ashore at high tide and set off in search of various adventures. Many of us entered the rainforest and were treated to views of some of the largest old-growth conifers we had ever witnessed in this part of the Tongass National Forest. Others set out for a morning of kayaking, exploring the coastline and limestone cliffs of the northeast corner of the bay. Many intrepid kayakers even went around the bay to look at a pictograph painted on one of the limestone cliffs.
We cruised out into Frederick Sound just after lunch and a contingent gathered on deck to look for wildlife. Initially, some blows were seen in the distance along with a glimpse of a rather elusive whale. We set our sights on Yasha Island and were rewarded with a Steller’s sea lion haulout. These large, gregarious, sandy-colored pinnipeds were relaxing in the afternoon sun on the craggy rocks on the end of the island. Some of us retired to our cabins for a much-needed afternoon nap while others remained on deck to spot seabirds, an occasional Dall’s porpoise, and even Rufous hummingbirds. Sharon eloquently described Northwest Coast Art in her afternoon presentation and shared beautiful photographs and examples.
The afternoon brought more sunlight and incredible views of the snowcapped peaks of Baranof Island. With the wind at our stern, the bow became the place to congregate and scan the shoreline and waterways for wildlife. We visited Kaznyku Waterfall, and the spring runoff made for an impressive sight. Harlequin ducks and Barrow’s goldeneyes foraged in the swiftly-moving currents at the base of the falls.
Just as we began to come inside and gather for cocktail hour, we heard the call of “Whales! Port side ahead!” We scrambled to get our binoculars, warm jackets, and all means of whale-watching paraphernalia and rushed out onto the deck. We watched three humpback whales dive repeatedly, presumably in search of the small fish and krill that make Alaskan waters so attractive to all manners of cetaceans in the summer months.
Everyone enjoyed watching the 35-40 ft. long humpbacks at the entrance to Kelp Bay and dinner was delayed to give our eyes (and cameras!) a chance to take in the show. Alas, eventually our hunger took over and we departed, returning once again to the waters of Chatham Strait. As we continued our northward course, the alpenglow from the sun slowly waning over Baranof Island made for a fine end to a wonderful day.
