Red Bluff Bay and Pond Island
We awoke to stunning scenery on Baranof Island. Verdant tree-covered cliffs enveloped our senses as we peered out at a long meadow that filled the end of a fjord named Red Bluff Bay. A waterfall splashed and tumbled down from over a thousand feet above us to crash into the sea. Pink salmon could be seen in long sinuous strands jutting out from the base of the waterfall as others jumped nearby.
Soon after breakfast we were in the company of humpbacks. Blows hung in the air like campfire smoke, and footprints left by diving whales were shining like round mirrors on the water’s surface. These are just a few of the benefits of a clear, windless day. These humpbacks held their positions over food sources below, so we could stay in one place and have them appear near us whenever they resurfaced. The one in the photograph above is on its way down for another meal that will contribute to the nearly 1 ton of food it eats per day.
We were fortunate to have Dr. Fred Sharpe from the Alaska Whale Foundation stop by our vessel. Dr. Sharpe has been studying cooperative bubble-net feeding in humpback whales for many years and shared slides about his fascinating research. Learning about what you are observing is one of the most important aspects of rewarding travel.
We hiked and kayaked at Pond Island during the afternoon. Two of the longer hikes struck out into country none of us had ever been in before. The groups met out in the wilds and retraced each other’s track. That chance encounter formed a new loop trip that will be added to the numerous adventures possible for future guests. Other outings included kayaking and a Zodiac trip that discovered a humpback whale breaching repeatedly.
After dinner we watched a slide program on geology entitled Terrane Tracks and watched the sun set beneath a clear blue sky. Soon, like our energy, the light faded and sleep was upon us, but not for long. There was an announcement for northern lights. Green curtains of dim light filled the sky and slowly waved in an unearthly fashion. Mars was also conspicuous because of its especially close position to the earth.
We awoke to stunning scenery on Baranof Island. Verdant tree-covered cliffs enveloped our senses as we peered out at a long meadow that filled the end of a fjord named Red Bluff Bay. A waterfall splashed and tumbled down from over a thousand feet above us to crash into the sea. Pink salmon could be seen in long sinuous strands jutting out from the base of the waterfall as others jumped nearby.
Soon after breakfast we were in the company of humpbacks. Blows hung in the air like campfire smoke, and footprints left by diving whales were shining like round mirrors on the water’s surface. These are just a few of the benefits of a clear, windless day. These humpbacks held their positions over food sources below, so we could stay in one place and have them appear near us whenever they resurfaced. The one in the photograph above is on its way down for another meal that will contribute to the nearly 1 ton of food it eats per day.
We were fortunate to have Dr. Fred Sharpe from the Alaska Whale Foundation stop by our vessel. Dr. Sharpe has been studying cooperative bubble-net feeding in humpback whales for many years and shared slides about his fascinating research. Learning about what you are observing is one of the most important aspects of rewarding travel.
We hiked and kayaked at Pond Island during the afternoon. Two of the longer hikes struck out into country none of us had ever been in before. The groups met out in the wilds and retraced each other’s track. That chance encounter formed a new loop trip that will be added to the numerous adventures possible for future guests. Other outings included kayaking and a Zodiac trip that discovered a humpback whale breaching repeatedly.
After dinner we watched a slide program on geology entitled Terrane Tracks and watched the sun set beneath a clear blue sky. Soon, like our energy, the light faded and sleep was upon us, but not for long. There was an announcement for northern lights. Green curtains of dim light filled the sky and slowly waved in an unearthly fashion. Mars was also conspicuous because of its especially close position to the earth.
