Cross Sound, Alaska
An early morning excursion into misty Dundas Bay rewarded us with fine looks at sea otters, Steller’s sea lions and a variety of loons, gulls, ducks and sea birds. The still air held a deep silence, enabling us to ease into another day of exploration.
During breakfast, we entered Cross Sound, so named by Captain James Cook in 1778, as he came upon these waters on May 3, Holy Cross Day. We soon came across a feeding humpback whale, taking advantage of the biologically rich waters.
Tiny George Island has the remnants of a lonely World War II outpost. Though it saw no action, this gun emplacement was positioned to protect the northern entrance to the Inside Passage. The island has a unique geological history and at low tide, as today, an extremely rich intertidal fauna, which we explored. Sea stars exhibiting a surprising variety of sizes, colors and structures; anemones, urchins, pink encrusting algae, limpets, barnacles, mussels and others represented this community. We explored by foot, kayak and Zodiac, from which we spotted more sea otters and humpback whales. Scanning over Cross Sound, we saw the wild outer coast of Glacier Bay, including the Brady Glacier where John Muir had his famous adventure with the scraggly dog Stickeen.
Nearby to George Island is the isolated fishing village of Elfin Cove. Mary Jo Lord-Wild, a 34 year resident, came aboard Sea Lion and spoke to us about her home town. Twenty people spent last winter in Elfin Cove – a population explosion compared to the twelve people of the previous winter. There is no local government; if something needs doing and someone wants to do it, it gets done. There are no cars, no roads, no doctors. Access is by boat and float plane. For those who call it home, Elfin Cove is a piece of Paradise. The accompanying salmonberry flower picture was taken in “downtown” Elfin Cove.
Sharon’s captivating presentation about Northwest Art and Culture expanded our understanding and appreciation of the people who have inhabited this region for thousands of years. The great abundance of food, such as salmon, seabird eggs, berries and harbor seals, provided them with the luxury of leisure time. Their rich culture reflects their place in Southeast Alaska.
Our full day ended near Point Adolphus where we watched humpback whales as they harvested the abundant herring in the soft evening light.
An early morning excursion into misty Dundas Bay rewarded us with fine looks at sea otters, Steller’s sea lions and a variety of loons, gulls, ducks and sea birds. The still air held a deep silence, enabling us to ease into another day of exploration.
During breakfast, we entered Cross Sound, so named by Captain James Cook in 1778, as he came upon these waters on May 3, Holy Cross Day. We soon came across a feeding humpback whale, taking advantage of the biologically rich waters.
Tiny George Island has the remnants of a lonely World War II outpost. Though it saw no action, this gun emplacement was positioned to protect the northern entrance to the Inside Passage. The island has a unique geological history and at low tide, as today, an extremely rich intertidal fauna, which we explored. Sea stars exhibiting a surprising variety of sizes, colors and structures; anemones, urchins, pink encrusting algae, limpets, barnacles, mussels and others represented this community. We explored by foot, kayak and Zodiac, from which we spotted more sea otters and humpback whales. Scanning over Cross Sound, we saw the wild outer coast of Glacier Bay, including the Brady Glacier where John Muir had his famous adventure with the scraggly dog Stickeen.
Nearby to George Island is the isolated fishing village of Elfin Cove. Mary Jo Lord-Wild, a 34 year resident, came aboard Sea Lion and spoke to us about her home town. Twenty people spent last winter in Elfin Cove – a population explosion compared to the twelve people of the previous winter. There is no local government; if something needs doing and someone wants to do it, it gets done. There are no cars, no roads, no doctors. Access is by boat and float plane. For those who call it home, Elfin Cove is a piece of Paradise. The accompanying salmonberry flower picture was taken in “downtown” Elfin Cove.
Sharon’s captivating presentation about Northwest Art and Culture expanded our understanding and appreciation of the people who have inhabited this region for thousands of years. The great abundance of food, such as salmon, seabird eggs, berries and harbor seals, provided them with the luxury of leisure time. Their rich culture reflects their place in Southeast Alaska.
Our full day ended near Point Adolphus where we watched humpback whales as they harvested the abundant herring in the soft evening light.
