Point Adolphus in Icy Strait/Idaho Inlet - Southeast Alaska
“Have You EVER been this close to a humpback whale tail?” The guests, crew and staff of the Sea Lion were treated to a most amazing display of humpback whales this morning. This picture was taken right at the rail of the ship as approximately 8-10 whales “sounded”, bringing their tail flukes up into the air as they went down for a deep dive. Humpback whales are individual feeders, but also have the capacity to cooperate in group feeding efforts. This photo is the middle section of a humpback’s tail fluke that averages 12 feet is width. The humpback whales utilize the long days and high food production capacity of the rich waters of Southeast Alaska to build the layers of blubber that will be necessary to maintain them during their migration south and while they are on their winter calving and breeding grounds around Hawaii.
We were definitely spoiled on our first full day in Alaska. We started early with a few whale sightings and foggy, misty weather. Just about the time our geology lecture began the fog broke and the sun appeared and half way through the geology lecture, a mother humpback whale and her calf appeared in front of the ship – End of Lecture! When opportunity knocks, we answer the call no matter what we are doing. We can be inside later! The calf seemed to delight in rolling in a patch of floating kelp. Then we spotted the large group of humpbacks, which produced the photo of the day. We moved from bow to stern as these large creatures swam close together in a graceful, synchronized water ballet. This provided excellent photographic opportunities, as the whales approached VERY nearby the vessel.
We than participated in the abandon ship drill as required by the U.S. Coast Guard. Staff members gave brief instructions on the use of the lifejackets for both riding the Zodiacs and for the kayaking. Just before lunch a group of sea otter were sighted feeding and frolicking in the calm water. The weather is cooperating very well for SE Alaska. We had excellent views of the Fairweather Range, which is part of Glacier Bay National Park, our destination for tomorrow.
We later proceeded on to Fox Creek on the northern end of Chichagof Island. Some of us took a moderate difficult hike on the rough rainforest trails created by bears. Two intrepid individuals and a naturalist did a longer hike that reached a muskeg. Some took a Zodiac tour along the shore; a few stayed aboard ship and the rest of us kayaked along the kelp forest of the shoreline. Kayakers also had an opportunity to do a little tide-pooling and take a short hike on the forest trail.
After everyone was back on board, we got underway and cruised up to the head of Idaho Inlet. Along the way we were provided with excellent views of very charismatic sea otters.
For the evening “recap”, our four naturalists included the kelp forest, rock types and descriptive geology, history of the kayak, and bioluminescence or the “green flush” among the topics that were mentioned. The day concluded with a marvelous sunset over the Fairweather Mountains.
“Have You EVER been this close to a humpback whale tail?” The guests, crew and staff of the Sea Lion were treated to a most amazing display of humpback whales this morning. This picture was taken right at the rail of the ship as approximately 8-10 whales “sounded”, bringing their tail flukes up into the air as they went down for a deep dive. Humpback whales are individual feeders, but also have the capacity to cooperate in group feeding efforts. This photo is the middle section of a humpback’s tail fluke that averages 12 feet is width. The humpback whales utilize the long days and high food production capacity of the rich waters of Southeast Alaska to build the layers of blubber that will be necessary to maintain them during their migration south and while they are on their winter calving and breeding grounds around Hawaii.
We were definitely spoiled on our first full day in Alaska. We started early with a few whale sightings and foggy, misty weather. Just about the time our geology lecture began the fog broke and the sun appeared and half way through the geology lecture, a mother humpback whale and her calf appeared in front of the ship – End of Lecture! When opportunity knocks, we answer the call no matter what we are doing. We can be inside later! The calf seemed to delight in rolling in a patch of floating kelp. Then we spotted the large group of humpbacks, which produced the photo of the day. We moved from bow to stern as these large creatures swam close together in a graceful, synchronized water ballet. This provided excellent photographic opportunities, as the whales approached VERY nearby the vessel.
We than participated in the abandon ship drill as required by the U.S. Coast Guard. Staff members gave brief instructions on the use of the lifejackets for both riding the Zodiacs and for the kayaking. Just before lunch a group of sea otter were sighted feeding and frolicking in the calm water. The weather is cooperating very well for SE Alaska. We had excellent views of the Fairweather Range, which is part of Glacier Bay National Park, our destination for tomorrow.
We later proceeded on to Fox Creek on the northern end of Chichagof Island. Some of us took a moderate difficult hike on the rough rainforest trails created by bears. Two intrepid individuals and a naturalist did a longer hike that reached a muskeg. Some took a Zodiac tour along the shore; a few stayed aboard ship and the rest of us kayaked along the kelp forest of the shoreline. Kayakers also had an opportunity to do a little tide-pooling and take a short hike on the forest trail.
After everyone was back on board, we got underway and cruised up to the head of Idaho Inlet. Along the way we were provided with excellent views of very charismatic sea otters.
For the evening “recap”, our four naturalists included the kelp forest, rock types and descriptive geology, history of the kayak, and bioluminescence or the “green flush” among the topics that were mentioned. The day concluded with a marvelous sunset over the Fairweather Mountains.
