Chatham Strait and Kelp Bay
Perhaps we could call today a windfall- a stroke of luck and timing caused by some strong Pacific Ocean southerlies gusting up Chatham Strait. Our morning plans were snatched by the breeze and we were left wide open to explore the Alaskan wilderness before us. On our left, the towering snowcapped mountains of Baranof Island, to the right the green and cloud shrouded forests of Admiralty.
Tucking into a bay to admire the great waterfall called Kasniku, we watched the huge cascade pouring out of an alpine lake and spotted our first brown bear of the day meandering along the nearby rocky shore. Exploring the arms of Kelp Bay in search of a workable landing offered wonderfully productive wildlife viewing. An eagle perched on the side of its nest atop a tall Sitka spruce and perhaps seventy harbor seals were hauled out on a beach. More eagles were seen chasing each other across the sky and another brown bear checking out a stream in hopes of an early salmon. And then more coastal brown bears¯ a female with two cubs on a nearby gravelly beach, and yet another mother, also with two cubs of the year. Wow, a brown bear bonanza for sure!
Pond Island in Kelp Bay was our choice for an afternoon of walks and kayaking, after we watched our first humpback whale of the trip. In the water, the harbor seals approached the kayaks and a mink dove into the sea near another. Out in the woods, many spotted coralroot (an interesting orchid) were in bloom among the roots of a small stand of old growth and some groups headed out past a beaver dam to a muskeg dotted with cotton grass and yellow pond lilies.
Following another great dining experience we crossed paths with some killer whales. What good luck for us and we conclude another great Southeast Alaskan day!
