Inian Cove and Fox Creek
Today our Boatswain was slightly worried about the possibility of having to clean up salmon parts littering the inside of her Zodiacs. What could possibly cause her such imaginative trepidations?
This morning we kayaked in the fog-kissed waters of Inian Cove. Spawned from the stern of the Sea Bird, our fleet of vibrant-hued kayaks carried intrepid explorers for a water level investigation of the cove. Adorable whiskered sea otters were found nestled in the kelp beds, grooming, paddling about and occasionally crunching and munching on a tasty crustacean.
Others cruised via Zodiac westward towards the open Pacific. Divided and channeled by a series of rocky islets, the incoming tide rushed inland with an unbridled exuberance. The power of the churning seas left us in awe. Amongst the whirlpools and eddies were Steller’s sea lions feeding on salmon riding the incoming tide. Periodically a sea lion would surface, viciously shake and then fling a salmon across the water. Opportunistic gulls swooped down to scavenge parts and pieces of the disintegrating fish. Each time the sea lion would surface, the broken fish would be swallowed further into the pinniped’s whiskered maw. Our Boatswain’s earlier concerns were justified as we navigated amongst the fishy carnage.
Fox Creek was our destination for the afternoon. Sunlight striving to reach the forest floor was greedily gathered by a myriad of outstretched leaves and needles. The dappled effect could only be described as enchanting. We followed bear trails which led through small streams, over fallen trees, under a few fallen trees, through a maze of roots and across a little bit of mud.
Evening dinner was finished off with a dessert sweeter than the tiramisu that was served. A whale breaching off the starboard side of the ship kept us from lingering too long in the dining room. On deck we basked in the golden glow of a lingering sunset as we reflected on our charmed day. A gentle breeze lifted and dissipated the swirling mists of erupting whale blows across the waters of Point Adolphus. A magical beginning and a sweet ending, such was our day exploring Southeast Alaska.
Today our Boatswain was slightly worried about the possibility of having to clean up salmon parts littering the inside of her Zodiacs. What could possibly cause her such imaginative trepidations?
This morning we kayaked in the fog-kissed waters of Inian Cove. Spawned from the stern of the Sea Bird, our fleet of vibrant-hued kayaks carried intrepid explorers for a water level investigation of the cove. Adorable whiskered sea otters were found nestled in the kelp beds, grooming, paddling about and occasionally crunching and munching on a tasty crustacean.
Others cruised via Zodiac westward towards the open Pacific. Divided and channeled by a series of rocky islets, the incoming tide rushed inland with an unbridled exuberance. The power of the churning seas left us in awe. Amongst the whirlpools and eddies were Steller’s sea lions feeding on salmon riding the incoming tide. Periodically a sea lion would surface, viciously shake and then fling a salmon across the water. Opportunistic gulls swooped down to scavenge parts and pieces of the disintegrating fish. Each time the sea lion would surface, the broken fish would be swallowed further into the pinniped’s whiskered maw. Our Boatswain’s earlier concerns were justified as we navigated amongst the fishy carnage.
Fox Creek was our destination for the afternoon. Sunlight striving to reach the forest floor was greedily gathered by a myriad of outstretched leaves and needles. The dappled effect could only be described as enchanting. We followed bear trails which led through small streams, over fallen trees, under a few fallen trees, through a maze of roots and across a little bit of mud.
Evening dinner was finished off with a dessert sweeter than the tiramisu that was served. A whale breaching off the starboard side of the ship kept us from lingering too long in the dining room. On deck we basked in the golden glow of a lingering sunset as we reflected on our charmed day. A gentle breeze lifted and dissipated the swirling mists of erupting whale blows across the waters of Point Adolphus. A magical beginning and a sweet ending, such was our day exploring Southeast Alaska.
