Pond Island to Morris Reef
The day began in pea soup fog as we cruised towards Kelp Bay and Pond Island, where we planned to do hiking and kayaking. Upon our arrival, the fog miraculously cleared and we had perfect kayaking conditions on smooth, flat water with hints of sunshine peaking through the clouds above. The hikers had yet another encounter with the dreaded boot sucking mud. The highlight of the hike was one of the best beaver dams anywhere—at least eight feet high and 40 feet long, impounding a lake that gives Pond Island its name.
After lunch we continued on our way to Morris Reef, hoping to find more humpback whales on our last full day of the journey. Instead we found Orcas. And what a glorious find it was! For four hours we followed a pod of killer whales numbering at least nine individuals, who gave us an unforgettable show. Most impressive were the big males, whose dorsal fins were nearly six feet high. Most entertaining was a juvenile who rolled and flipped and slapped his tail and pectoral fins. Hard to say if this behavior was intentional or meaningful, but it sure seemed like that little Orca was saying, “hey look me over.”
Before the Captain’s farewell dinner, we gathered in the lounge for one last recap. We shared our favorite memories of the trip, which ranged from the glaciers to the food. But the common denominator was twofold—amazement at the incredible marine mammal displays we have seen and a true appreciation for the sense of one big family that developed on board during our journey through Alaska. We will all return to our separate places on earth, but all of us—young and old—will share memories of a very special voyage on the Sea Bird through Southeast Alaska.
The day began in pea soup fog as we cruised towards Kelp Bay and Pond Island, where we planned to do hiking and kayaking. Upon our arrival, the fog miraculously cleared and we had perfect kayaking conditions on smooth, flat water with hints of sunshine peaking through the clouds above. The hikers had yet another encounter with the dreaded boot sucking mud. The highlight of the hike was one of the best beaver dams anywhere—at least eight feet high and 40 feet long, impounding a lake that gives Pond Island its name.
After lunch we continued on our way to Morris Reef, hoping to find more humpback whales on our last full day of the journey. Instead we found Orcas. And what a glorious find it was! For four hours we followed a pod of killer whales numbering at least nine individuals, who gave us an unforgettable show. Most impressive were the big males, whose dorsal fins were nearly six feet high. Most entertaining was a juvenile who rolled and flipped and slapped his tail and pectoral fins. Hard to say if this behavior was intentional or meaningful, but it sure seemed like that little Orca was saying, “hey look me over.”
Before the Captain’s farewell dinner, we gathered in the lounge for one last recap. We shared our favorite memories of the trip, which ranged from the glaciers to the food. But the common denominator was twofold—amazement at the incredible marine mammal displays we have seen and a true appreciation for the sense of one big family that developed on board during our journey through Alaska. We will all return to our separate places on earth, but all of us—young and old—will share memories of a very special voyage on the Sea Bird through Southeast Alaska.
