Inian Islands & Idaho Inlet
It was difficult to believe that we were in the temperate rainforest of Southeast Alaska when we awoke to a full blue sky. If this was any indication of what kind of weather we would experience for the rest of the trip, then we were in luck.
Out on deck with steaming cups of fresh brewed coffee, early risers spotted our first mammals, grazing Sitka black-tailed deer. It is the smallest member of the black-tailed deer, but is stockier and has a shorter face. As we neared the end of the inlet, off in the distance a solitary brown bear weaved in and out of the tall grass of the meadow. Sea otters ahead of the ship on our return looked like tiny gondola boats as they floated effortlessly on their backs at the surface. They are the smallest marine mammal and have the thickest fur of any mammal with approximately one million hairs per square inch! Two layers of undercoat and guard hairs trap air next to their skin which keeps their skin dry so it’s essential that they keep their hair well-groomed and free of oil.
We hadn’t even reached our morning destination when spouting humpback whales were spotted. An announcement was made that breakfast was being served and we reluctantly headed down and ate quickly so that we could return to the deck. Realizing that we were surrounded by whales, the captain focused on the closet group of diving mammals. They appeared to be feeding cooperatively, possibly on herring or some other schooling fish, surfacing continuously in a graceful water ballet
Eventually, we turned away and struck out for our anchorage at the Inian Islands east of the Gulf of Alaska. Here, the surface of the water churned as the tide ran in through the narrow passage ways of the islands, creating small upwellings, whirlpools and ripples. Steller sea lions splashed at the surface as they grasped struggling salmon in their sharp canine-like teeth. Gulls scavenged the surface for remains while cormorants, murrelets, several pairs of Tufted Puffins and a rare Horned Puffin dived for fish. A pod of killer whales, their presence obvious from afar by their characteristic tall black fins, added to our excitement and all of this occurred before noon!
After lunch, our Expedition Leader offered us kayaking from the Shaw Islands and hiking on nearby Chichagof Island. The afternoon sped by quickly as we paddled under the sharp gaze of several bald eagles flying above us and could hear the occasional forceful puffing sound of humpbacks. Ashore, we explored the bear trails of Fox Creek.
It was difficult to believe that we were in the temperate rainforest of Southeast Alaska when we awoke to a full blue sky. If this was any indication of what kind of weather we would experience for the rest of the trip, then we were in luck.
Out on deck with steaming cups of fresh brewed coffee, early risers spotted our first mammals, grazing Sitka black-tailed deer. It is the smallest member of the black-tailed deer, but is stockier and has a shorter face. As we neared the end of the inlet, off in the distance a solitary brown bear weaved in and out of the tall grass of the meadow. Sea otters ahead of the ship on our return looked like tiny gondola boats as they floated effortlessly on their backs at the surface. They are the smallest marine mammal and have the thickest fur of any mammal with approximately one million hairs per square inch! Two layers of undercoat and guard hairs trap air next to their skin which keeps their skin dry so it’s essential that they keep their hair well-groomed and free of oil.
We hadn’t even reached our morning destination when spouting humpback whales were spotted. An announcement was made that breakfast was being served and we reluctantly headed down and ate quickly so that we could return to the deck. Realizing that we were surrounded by whales, the captain focused on the closet group of diving mammals. They appeared to be feeding cooperatively, possibly on herring or some other schooling fish, surfacing continuously in a graceful water ballet
Eventually, we turned away and struck out for our anchorage at the Inian Islands east of the Gulf of Alaska. Here, the surface of the water churned as the tide ran in through the narrow passage ways of the islands, creating small upwellings, whirlpools and ripples. Steller sea lions splashed at the surface as they grasped struggling salmon in their sharp canine-like teeth. Gulls scavenged the surface for remains while cormorants, murrelets, several pairs of Tufted Puffins and a rare Horned Puffin dived for fish. A pod of killer whales, their presence obvious from afar by their characteristic tall black fins, added to our excitement and all of this occurred before noon!
After lunch, our Expedition Leader offered us kayaking from the Shaw Islands and hiking on nearby Chichagof Island. The afternoon sped by quickly as we paddled under the sharp gaze of several bald eagles flying above us and could hear the occasional forceful puffing sound of humpbacks. Ashore, we explored the bear trails of Fox Creek.
