Pond Island, Kelp Bay, Baranof Island
We spent the morning in the vicinity of Kelp Bay, located in the northeastern section of Baranof Island. Conditions were perfect with brilliant blue skies and calm winds as the ship entered the bay and we chose an anchorage near the aptly named Pond Island. The surrounding still waters were much enjoyed by the kayakers as they explored along rocky shorelines and tree-covered islets, all the while watching jumping and splashing salmon. The island most likely gets its name from the beautiful freshwater pond in the center. This shallow pond is idyllic with yellow pond lilies and other aquatic vegetation growing in it and around the edges. Any questions we may have had about how such a pond came to be in the center of this island were answered when we encountered gnawed stumps and girdled trees along the water’s edge. Beavers! These industrious rodents have created a real masterpiece of natural (or should we call it unnatural?) beauty here. We soon found the beaver dam located in a narrow spot between two outcrops where the pre-existing stream could be dammed most efficiently. The Army Corps of Engineers couldn’t have done it better. Although we never got to see the beavers themselves, they were certainly nearby as there was evidence of freshly gnawed tree branches interwoven into the dam. We admired the quality construction and noted how the stream just managed to trickle through the dam so as not to create a spillway. There was no one here to complain of the flooding caused by these beavers, and indeed the presence of kingfishers and other aquatic life indicated the pond is much appreciated.
We spent the morning in the vicinity of Kelp Bay, located in the northeastern section of Baranof Island. Conditions were perfect with brilliant blue skies and calm winds as the ship entered the bay and we chose an anchorage near the aptly named Pond Island. The surrounding still waters were much enjoyed by the kayakers as they explored along rocky shorelines and tree-covered islets, all the while watching jumping and splashing salmon. The island most likely gets its name from the beautiful freshwater pond in the center. This shallow pond is idyllic with yellow pond lilies and other aquatic vegetation growing in it and around the edges. Any questions we may have had about how such a pond came to be in the center of this island were answered when we encountered gnawed stumps and girdled trees along the water’s edge. Beavers! These industrious rodents have created a real masterpiece of natural (or should we call it unnatural?) beauty here. We soon found the beaver dam located in a narrow spot between two outcrops where the pre-existing stream could be dammed most efficiently. The Army Corps of Engineers couldn’t have done it better. Although we never got to see the beavers themselves, they were certainly nearby as there was evidence of freshly gnawed tree branches interwoven into the dam. We admired the quality construction and noted how the stream just managed to trickle through the dam so as not to create a spillway. There was no one here to complain of the flooding caused by these beavers, and indeed the presence of kingfishers and other aquatic life indicated the pond is much appreciated.
