Idaho Inlet, Inian Islands
How often does the sun shine brightly in Southeast Alaska - particularly in the spring time? Not often but for a second day we awoke to blue skies and sunshine. A few puffy clouds draped the mountains to the west but we were blessed with only a little wind. Before breakfast we cruised into Idaho Inlet a deep narrow bay in the north side of Chichagof Island. Sea Otters were scattered through the bay, unconcerned about our slow progress as they paddled away, keeping an eye on those snapping photos from the bow.
After breakfast kayaks lined the shore of our landing site awaiting energetic paddlers. Sun glistening off the mountains still covered in winter’s snow and green forested mountain slopes created a tranquil landscape and setting for those seeking a quiet solitary or tandem paddle along the rugged shoreline. Others chose to venture into the forest where signs of recently awakened brown bears were found in snow patches. The footprints were so big that some thought they had discovered a Yeti trail. Chichagof Island has one of the highest densities of Brown Bears in Alaska and we had found much evidence of this fact. Being spring time, migratory birds including Wilson’s Warblers, Hermit Thrushes, American Robins, and Golden-crowned Sparrows were evident in the forest edge where they prepared for the approaching breeding season or further flying northward. Others still voyaged around the shore and a nearby island. A couple sea otters wrapped themselves in the kelp just offshore and Bald Eagles soared overhead or perched high on Sitka Spruce trees at the edge of the forest. Few were ready to return to the ship but lunch was ready and other activities were ahead of us for the afternoon.
Tides in Southeast Alaska can have a 20 foot difference form low to high depending on the time of year. Today there is a large fluctuation which can result in strong currents flowing between narrow land constrictions or where there is a shallow depth. At the Inian Islands both of these criteria apply and we discovered this on our exciting Zodiac adventures… Exciting because of the rushing flow of the waters from the open Pacific between the islands and into the passages of Icy Strait, and also because of the Steller’s Sea Lions swimming around and dozens of feeding birds.
At the end of the day we cruised eastward through Icy Straits searching for marine wildlife. The clouds lifted from the distant mountains and the wind pushed us along. Birds of a variety of species were the main sightings of the late afternoon and evening. For most, the day ended soon after dinner. It had been a long fulfilling second day in the islands and channels of Southeast Alaska.
How often does the sun shine brightly in Southeast Alaska - particularly in the spring time? Not often but for a second day we awoke to blue skies and sunshine. A few puffy clouds draped the mountains to the west but we were blessed with only a little wind. Before breakfast we cruised into Idaho Inlet a deep narrow bay in the north side of Chichagof Island. Sea Otters were scattered through the bay, unconcerned about our slow progress as they paddled away, keeping an eye on those snapping photos from the bow.
After breakfast kayaks lined the shore of our landing site awaiting energetic paddlers. Sun glistening off the mountains still covered in winter’s snow and green forested mountain slopes created a tranquil landscape and setting for those seeking a quiet solitary or tandem paddle along the rugged shoreline. Others chose to venture into the forest where signs of recently awakened brown bears were found in snow patches. The footprints were so big that some thought they had discovered a Yeti trail. Chichagof Island has one of the highest densities of Brown Bears in Alaska and we had found much evidence of this fact. Being spring time, migratory birds including Wilson’s Warblers, Hermit Thrushes, American Robins, and Golden-crowned Sparrows were evident in the forest edge where they prepared for the approaching breeding season or further flying northward. Others still voyaged around the shore and a nearby island. A couple sea otters wrapped themselves in the kelp just offshore and Bald Eagles soared overhead or perched high on Sitka Spruce trees at the edge of the forest. Few were ready to return to the ship but lunch was ready and other activities were ahead of us for the afternoon.
Tides in Southeast Alaska can have a 20 foot difference form low to high depending on the time of year. Today there is a large fluctuation which can result in strong currents flowing between narrow land constrictions or where there is a shallow depth. At the Inian Islands both of these criteria apply and we discovered this on our exciting Zodiac adventures… Exciting because of the rushing flow of the waters from the open Pacific between the islands and into the passages of Icy Strait, and also because of the Steller’s Sea Lions swimming around and dozens of feeding birds.
At the end of the day we cruised eastward through Icy Straits searching for marine wildlife. The clouds lifted from the distant mountains and the wind pushed us along. Birds of a variety of species were the main sightings of the late afternoon and evening. For most, the day ended soon after dinner. It had been a long fulfilling second day in the islands and channels of Southeast Alaska.
