Exploring Baranof Island
This morning we awoke with the MV Sea Lion nuzzled into the face of Kasnyku Falls on the eastern side of Baranof Island. A pair of Steller sea lions frolicked along the shore while marbled murrelets searched for small schooling fish in their wake. As we stood mesmerized by the falling water, the soft notes of the varied thrush washed over the bow.
After breakfast we took the trusty fleet of Zodiacs to Pond Island. Dominated by old growth trees, ponds, and bogs, the land felt primitive. We followed weathered animal trails through tall western hemlock, Sitka spruce and yellow cedar. Unlike our earlier hikes, Pond Island appeared to have had a good amount of rain making perfect conditions for spring flowers. Northern starflowers and few-flowered shootings stars were spied along the edge of the forest. Deeper into the island beavers had damned a small stream and successfully created a large pond surrounded by bogs. The sign of their work was all along the edge of the pond. Spruce and alder appeared to be their preference of wood to work into dam logs or food. Some trees were left standing in precarious positions (see photo below).
Tall grasses and pond lilies created long washes of yellow and greens throughout the pond. In the adjacent bogs western bog laurel, sundews and bog rosemary showed off their true colors. The find of the walk though had to be the calypso orchid. Petite and easy to miss, this unique orchid is a delight to find amidst the clutter on the forest floor (see photo below).
Some folks kayaked along the western shore of the island. The trees and rocks surrounding the edge of the island towered over us as we darted in and out of the numerous coves. A few of us observed river otters along the shore mating. These small mammals of the weasel family often use the root base of old trees for building their homes. On an island such as Pond it would only be a short distance to the water for quick meal of fish or crab.
After lunch we weighed anchor and headed up into Kelp Bay in search of bears. Deep inside the southern arm we spied a small brown bear feeding along the shore. Further into the meadow a small flock of Canada geese fed in the grass and greater scaup and harlequin ducks swam along the edge of the flats. We then cruised into the middle arm and the folks on the bow spied a brown bear mother and two cubs. Open meadows and tidal zones make for perfect bear dining conditions especially during the spring when berries and salmon are not available.
Late in the evening after dinner we sailed into Red Bluff Bay on the east side of Baronof Island just south of Kelp Bay. Mist and clouds ascended upon us as the ship sailed through the narrow channel. Waterfall upon waterfall emerged out of the tree-lined mountainside…a splendid way to end our day.
