Bubble Nets and Orcas in Southeast Alaska

Creek Street, Ketchikan
Sunset at 9:45pm in Alaska
  After a wonderful break spent hiking Mount Rainier and the Grand Canyon it was time to head back to work aboard the Wilderness Explorer in Southeast Alaska. It felt good coming back with most everything dialed in and done at least once. Also the company put me up at a swanky little lodge overlooking the cute town of Ketchikan where I was to meet the boat the following day. So I took the time to decompress from camping for two weeks, got a hot long shower, and even slipped in a 3D showing of Jurassic World.

Male Orca
Pod of Orcas
  The next week was a blur of wildlife and activities with both rain and sunshine. Whale sighting occurred almost every day including a great orca encounter in the calm waters of Sea Otter Sound, and my first ever sighting of Humpback Whales bubble net feeding!!!! Luckily one of my fellow crew mates rushed down below to wake me up around 5:30 in the morning so I wouldn't miss it. I even managed to snag a picture!
Bubble Net Feeding Humpbacks
Humpback at our bow
    Bubble net feeding is an amazing show of cooperative feeding among humpbacks. One will swim down below a school of fish and create a circle of bubbles. As the bubbles rise it entraps the fish and forces them to school very densely. Then all of the whales swim strait up through the bubbles with their mouths opening swallowing all of the fish into their huge mouth.

  Beautiful vistas, reflections on the water, massive old growth trees, and misty mountains graced our trip this week. Now it is time to break some new ground with a trip from Juneau to Sitka taking in some of the sights of Glacier Bay National Park, Icy Straight, and the beautiful city of Sitka. I hear there is even a surfable wave in Sitka. Something that might be worth checking out.





Comments

Post a Comment

Leaving a comment is a great way to provide feedback, ask further questions, and inspire more answers...so go for it.

Popular posts from this blog

Secret Maui Waterfall

Image
  No matter how quick a trip to Maui might be there will be hidden gems found and great times had. After a little snafu with my flight I made it standby to Maui, picked up my rental car, and rushed off to meet my friends on the road to Hana. We met at Frog Pond, one of our favorite swimming holes near the beginning of the road to Hana. After some rock hopping and cliff jumping here we decided to check out the hidden waterfalls at mile 11. I'm not sure what the name of these falls are but there are two of them, each with their own swimming holes. It is just off the highway but separated by lush jungle. A rope swing beckons the adventurous and rocks warmed by the sun give you more than enough reason to while away the afternoon.
Read more

Search for Chameleons, Maui

Image
  You never know what might be hiding in your backyard. Here on Maui there have always been tales of people finding Jackson's chameleons in their bushes. The trick is to travel a few thousand feet up Haleakala volcano to Makawao, Pukalani and Kula towns where the temperature is a little cooler and it is a bit wetter, perfect conditions for chameleons.   There are no native reptiles on Hawaii. These beautiful chameleons were released or escaped from the pet trade. Luckily they have not become invasive like many other introduced species, however they have increased in population and seem to be doing quite well in the higher elevation areas. Heidi and I went on a search the other day at our friend's house in Kula and were shocked to find a dozen different chameleons in her side yard hedge. They were mostly at eye level, and were curled up asleep for the night. We found them easily enough with flashlights since they seem to sleep near the outer edge of the hedge at night.   W
Read more

Vermont Summer and Stave Island

Image
The launch for Stave Island Stave Island Barn  This August marked the fifth time I visited Heidi and her family up in beautiful Vermont. There are always so many beautiful things to see, tasty foods to eat, and fun times to be had. I will always think of delicious corn on the cob rolled in butter, starting off the day with a hot cup of coffee, and walking the Miller family dog around the pond when I think of Vermont.  During my summer visits we try and spend a lot of time out at Stave Island. This privately owned island is mostly wooded  wilderness out in the middle of Lake Champlain. It is a great place for colorful sunsets and I always try to circumnavigate the island by stand-up paddleboard. Deedee, Don, and Susie are always incredible hosts. It is pretty impresive to watch them work all day and then whip up a huge meal for a dozen of Heidi's friends. They are quite the team. Happy baby swingin' with Dad Noah, Anna, Charlotte, Heidi, Skye, Erin  Heidi
Read more