Iyoukeen Cove & Icy Strait
It was a beautiful spring day in Alaska, full of creatures, beauty and fun. Many started the morning with strengthening and stretching on the aft bridge deck. Practicing balance is always amusing when the Sea Bird is on the move.
The ship anchored in Iyoukeen Cove and most went ashore to Chichagof Island off of Chatham Strait for hiking and kayaking. There was an incredible amount of evidence of Sitka black tail deer which is not surprising as the winter was so severe. But on this clear and sunny morning, we were able to find banana slugs and signs of river otter. Several eagles soared over the forest as some of the kayakers enjoyed the playfulness of a harbor seal near the ship.
There were scattered sightings of Dall’s and harbor porpoise throughout the day. As we cruised through Icy Strait later in the afternoon, several pairs of mother humpback whales with calves were sighted from the bow. This is wonderful, as they have made the long trip from their winter in Hawaii to feed here in the cold nutrient rich waters of Southeast Alaska. Though they will be weaned soon, at the moment the calves are still nursing. They are learning to eat solid food such as small schooling herring or krill, a small shrimp-like crustacean.
Several brown bears were also sighted with much excitement. One even had a couple of small cubs with her as they gathered food along the shore. The weather, the activities, the animals and the turnover desert all made for an amazing day on the Sea Bird.
It was a beautiful spring day in Alaska, full of creatures, beauty and fun. Many started the morning with strengthening and stretching on the aft bridge deck. Practicing balance is always amusing when the Sea Bird is on the move.
The ship anchored in Iyoukeen Cove and most went ashore to Chichagof Island off of Chatham Strait for hiking and kayaking. There was an incredible amount of evidence of Sitka black tail deer which is not surprising as the winter was so severe. But on this clear and sunny morning, we were able to find banana slugs and signs of river otter. Several eagles soared over the forest as some of the kayakers enjoyed the playfulness of a harbor seal near the ship.
There were scattered sightings of Dall’s and harbor porpoise throughout the day. As we cruised through Icy Strait later in the afternoon, several pairs of mother humpback whales with calves were sighted from the bow. This is wonderful, as they have made the long trip from their winter in Hawaii to feed here in the cold nutrient rich waters of Southeast Alaska. Though they will be weaned soon, at the moment the calves are still nursing. They are learning to eat solid food such as small schooling herring or krill, a small shrimp-like crustacean.
Several brown bears were also sighted with much excitement. One even had a couple of small cubs with her as they gathered food along the shore. The weather, the activities, the animals and the turnover desert all made for an amazing day on the Sea Bird.
