Idaho Inlet, Dundas Bay and Fox Creek
Most of the morning was spent cruising among various islands and bays in search of birds and mammals. We found lots of sea otters, harbor porpoises and a great variety of sea birds. Disappointingly the weather was rather cold and foggy, making observations difficult.
In the afternoon we anchored off Fox Creek where we launched the kayaks and took some interesting hikes in the woods. The hikers followed some excellent bear trails, which ultimately led to an interesting muskeg whose many plant species are restricted to such environments.
Those who chose to slide into a kayak this afternoon, off Fox Creek, were rewarded with what they collectively describe as the most emotionally moving moments of the cruise. The water and winds were still. The sky was overcast but dry. Sounds could be heard over the water for hundreds of yards. Common murres and Marbled murrelets called. The toll of a bell buoy sounded in the light current. As we paddled along the shoreline, a peregrine falcon landed nearby, then flew rapidly over our colorful flotilla.
Suddenly, the rush of air from two humpback whales was heard with startling clarity. The whales were about a mile away, but we found ourselves, as a group, resting our paddles and waiting for these two magnificent creatures to burst to the surface again. Even as we waited and listened, numbers of harbor porpoises appeared in our midst, their quick puffs of breath more hushed, but no less dramatic than those of the humpbacks. Even a Minke whale made a cameo appearance. We felt surprise, excitement, fear and delight as they moved toward us. With dexterity that belies their size, they passed around and under our little boats. Their upwelling fluke prints roiled to the surface around us, fortunately without incident. Of all the things that we may have wished for on this journey, the events of today in the cold waters of Icy Strait will never be forgotten.
Most of the morning was spent cruising among various islands and bays in search of birds and mammals. We found lots of sea otters, harbor porpoises and a great variety of sea birds. Disappointingly the weather was rather cold and foggy, making observations difficult.
In the afternoon we anchored off Fox Creek where we launched the kayaks and took some interesting hikes in the woods. The hikers followed some excellent bear trails, which ultimately led to an interesting muskeg whose many plant species are restricted to such environments.
Those who chose to slide into a kayak this afternoon, off Fox Creek, were rewarded with what they collectively describe as the most emotionally moving moments of the cruise. The water and winds were still. The sky was overcast but dry. Sounds could be heard over the water for hundreds of yards. Common murres and Marbled murrelets called. The toll of a bell buoy sounded in the light current. As we paddled along the shoreline, a peregrine falcon landed nearby, then flew rapidly over our colorful flotilla.
Suddenly, the rush of air from two humpback whales was heard with startling clarity. The whales were about a mile away, but we found ourselves, as a group, resting our paddles and waiting for these two magnificent creatures to burst to the surface again. Even as we waited and listened, numbers of harbor porpoises appeared in our midst, their quick puffs of breath more hushed, but no less dramatic than those of the humpbacks. Even a Minke whale made a cameo appearance. We felt surprise, excitement, fear and delight as they moved toward us. With dexterity that belies their size, they passed around and under our little boats. Their upwelling fluke prints roiled to the surface around us, fortunately without incident. Of all the things that we may have wished for on this journey, the events of today in the cold waters of Icy Strait will never be forgotten.
