Baranof Island and Chatham Strait
Whales, waterfalls and wildflowers were part of today’s explorations along Baranof Island on day four of this week’s ‘Family Departure’ expedition. Our ongoing educational program involved kids of all ages in a variety of activities and excursions related to today’s experiences in Southeast Alaska.
In the high latitude early morning daylight we toured deeply slotted Patterson Bay, passing gray glacially-gouged granite walls. A roaring waterfall plunged sidelong into a chasm kicking up a misty plume. Harbor seals slinked in evergreen fjordwater and a red-tailed hawk presided over a meadow.
Outside the narrow fjord we found ourselves among two dozen humpback whales making dramatic fluke up-dives in silky smooth gray water. One whale raised its enormous flippers in the air, slapping them on the surface. It swam energetically, lunging out of the water, performing what researchers call ‘chinslaps,' a variation on the breach. At the same time, another whale rested absolutely still at the surface next to us like a floating log, barely moving except to take an occasional breath and raise that age-old question: “do whales sleep?” We discussed both the active and inactive behaviors we observed at the surface and pondered those that might be occurring down below.
As the Sea Bird traversed Chatham Strait we passed crumbled blue glaciers on mountains above and rafts of kelp in current lines below. We leaned over the rail to get close looks at bowriding black-and-white Dall’s porpoises. We learned of the iron-rich geology of Red Bluff Bay and of temperate rainforest ecology. A researcher from the Alaska Whale Foundation came aboard presenting current information on humpbacks in the area.
The ship anchored in South Arm of Kelp Bay below misty hanging snowfields and bald eagles on nests. Waterfalls poured through forested walls and harbor seals hauled out on fast-disappearing tidal spits. We walked along a rushing stream in a flower-studded meadow, spying and photographing brilliant Indian paintbrush, shooting stars, wild irises, chocolate lilies and other exuberances of nature. We captured the tracks of river otters, brown bears and Sitka deer with Plaster of Paris casts. Kayakers paddled amongst seals and beside waterfalls, columbines and stringy lichens draped on overhanging trees.
These natural experiences were re-captured back onboard with “Whale of Fortune” an Alaskan natural history gameshow version of our traditional Evening Recap. All young contestants and their families ended up winners, especially having spent another day in the natural splendor of Alaska.
Whales, waterfalls and wildflowers were part of today’s explorations along Baranof Island on day four of this week’s ‘Family Departure’ expedition. Our ongoing educational program involved kids of all ages in a variety of activities and excursions related to today’s experiences in Southeast Alaska.
In the high latitude early morning daylight we toured deeply slotted Patterson Bay, passing gray glacially-gouged granite walls. A roaring waterfall plunged sidelong into a chasm kicking up a misty plume. Harbor seals slinked in evergreen fjordwater and a red-tailed hawk presided over a meadow.
Outside the narrow fjord we found ourselves among two dozen humpback whales making dramatic fluke up-dives in silky smooth gray water. One whale raised its enormous flippers in the air, slapping them on the surface. It swam energetically, lunging out of the water, performing what researchers call ‘chinslaps,' a variation on the breach. At the same time, another whale rested absolutely still at the surface next to us like a floating log, barely moving except to take an occasional breath and raise that age-old question: “do whales sleep?” We discussed both the active and inactive behaviors we observed at the surface and pondered those that might be occurring down below.
As the Sea Bird traversed Chatham Strait we passed crumbled blue glaciers on mountains above and rafts of kelp in current lines below. We leaned over the rail to get close looks at bowriding black-and-white Dall’s porpoises. We learned of the iron-rich geology of Red Bluff Bay and of temperate rainforest ecology. A researcher from the Alaska Whale Foundation came aboard presenting current information on humpbacks in the area.
The ship anchored in South Arm of Kelp Bay below misty hanging snowfields and bald eagles on nests. Waterfalls poured through forested walls and harbor seals hauled out on fast-disappearing tidal spits. We walked along a rushing stream in a flower-studded meadow, spying and photographing brilliant Indian paintbrush, shooting stars, wild irises, chocolate lilies and other exuberances of nature. We captured the tracks of river otters, brown bears and Sitka deer with Plaster of Paris casts. Kayakers paddled amongst seals and beside waterfalls, columbines and stringy lichens draped on overhanging trees.
These natural experiences were re-captured back onboard with “Whale of Fortune” an Alaskan natural history gameshow version of our traditional Evening Recap. All young contestants and their families ended up winners, especially having spent another day in the natural splendor of Alaska.
