Exploring Chatham Strait
As we awoke this morning the Sea Bird was gliding into the protected waters of Iyoukeen Cove near the intersections of Icy and Chatham Straits for another fun day. For all the brave individuals who ventured forth under overcast skies and sprinkles, the reward was an utterly amazing look at Alaska’s wild lands with the sun breaking through to shine upon us.
The timing was perfect for kayaking with a nice low tide exposing much of the intertidal zone for eyes to gaze upon, giving an up-close and personal look at the marine life usually hidden away below the surface. These creatures clinging to the exposed rocks were closed up tight, patiently waiting for the tide to come back in as part of this environment's ever-changing cycle, while others could be seen through the impeccably clear water. There were clusters of blue mussels, huge barnacles, many different species of anemones, limpets, snails, crabs, schools of juvenile fish, and bunches of kelp slowly dancing with the waves.
On shore the hikers experienced an outstanding plethora of fauna and flora. We were welcomed to the trail by eagles soaring overhead, their high-pitched dialect resounding in the air, signaling to each other or possibly to those entering their habitat. The evidence of bears hard at work putting on weight lost to last winter's rest was evident from the three kill sites: two Sitka black tailed deer and one young bear, encountered along the trail. Bushes of ripe salmon berries were there for people to eat. The sunlight’s rays beamed through the layers of trees where a rainbow of wildflowers coated the ground, among these were four different species of orchid. From the top of the bluff to the rocky beach below, Alaska’s vast open spaces seemingly never end.
Shortly after pulling up the anchor we came upon orcas! These amazing animals, with their sleek lines and starkly contrasting colors put us all in awe of the mysteries held below. The adult male clearly stood out as his regal dorsal fin broke the surface, slowly extending six plus feet into the air until his head appeared for a quick breath. Accompanying the male were other orcas including the wonderful sight of a cow calf pair. After such a great sighting the bow remained full with every pair of binoculars held tightly to searching eyes.
This afternoon was spent cruising Chatham Strait and in the evening through Peril Strait on our way to the historic town of Sitka. The delicacies of Captain’s dinner, complemented by conversations amid friends old and new, was the perfect way to complete the day.
The boots outside your cabin now have a weeks worth of experience on them. This piece of Alaska has been trailed back on board for you to take home as memory of the many great adventures.
As we awoke this morning the Sea Bird was gliding into the protected waters of Iyoukeen Cove near the intersections of Icy and Chatham Straits for another fun day. For all the brave individuals who ventured forth under overcast skies and sprinkles, the reward was an utterly amazing look at Alaska’s wild lands with the sun breaking through to shine upon us.
The timing was perfect for kayaking with a nice low tide exposing much of the intertidal zone for eyes to gaze upon, giving an up-close and personal look at the marine life usually hidden away below the surface. These creatures clinging to the exposed rocks were closed up tight, patiently waiting for the tide to come back in as part of this environment's ever-changing cycle, while others could be seen through the impeccably clear water. There were clusters of blue mussels, huge barnacles, many different species of anemones, limpets, snails, crabs, schools of juvenile fish, and bunches of kelp slowly dancing with the waves.
On shore the hikers experienced an outstanding plethora of fauna and flora. We were welcomed to the trail by eagles soaring overhead, their high-pitched dialect resounding in the air, signaling to each other or possibly to those entering their habitat. The evidence of bears hard at work putting on weight lost to last winter's rest was evident from the three kill sites: two Sitka black tailed deer and one young bear, encountered along the trail. Bushes of ripe salmon berries were there for people to eat. The sunlight’s rays beamed through the layers of trees where a rainbow of wildflowers coated the ground, among these were four different species of orchid. From the top of the bluff to the rocky beach below, Alaska’s vast open spaces seemingly never end.
Shortly after pulling up the anchor we came upon orcas! These amazing animals, with their sleek lines and starkly contrasting colors put us all in awe of the mysteries held below. The adult male clearly stood out as his regal dorsal fin broke the surface, slowly extending six plus feet into the air until his head appeared for a quick breath. Accompanying the male were other orcas including the wonderful sight of a cow calf pair. After such a great sighting the bow remained full with every pair of binoculars held tightly to searching eyes.
This afternoon was spent cruising Chatham Strait and in the evening through Peril Strait on our way to the historic town of Sitka. The delicacies of Captain’s dinner, complemented by conversations amid friends old and new, was the perfect way to complete the day.
The boots outside your cabin now have a weeks worth of experience on them. This piece of Alaska has been trailed back on board for you to take home as memory of the many great adventures.
