This has been an incredible week. Not only have we had perfect weather with sunshine and little rain, but amazing wildlife and scenic views. Today, our last full day in the rainforest of southeast Alaska, was a long but absolutely perfect day. These are the days that we dream of and we certainly made the most of it.
It began early, around midnight. After a gorgeous sunset the night before, we were treated to flat seas, fish in a bioluminescent ocean, a glowing moon, and NORTHERN LIGHTS! Curtains of green moved across the sky mesmerizing some hearty souls out on the bow. After a while, it was back to sleep because there was much more to do.
After breakfast, it was time for bears. We spotted a mother with two cubs on the beach near the ship. We then approached a salmon stream with a waterfall, and waited. Soon, a bear dashed in and caught a fish. It then reappeared, grabbed another salmon, and disappeared. Our patience persisted though, as another bear emerged fairly close to our kayakers and cruisers and proceeded to stroll by the walkers and head to the fish. Here, it put on quite a show catching fish after fish. Many of us sat in the sunshine for hours enjoying the jumping fish, waterfall, and active bears.
For the afternoon, it was time to look for whales. Our first whales were two humpbacks lunging just below the surface and rising on their sides. One had pure white pectoral flippers and was easy to follow underwater. As we sat still, they continually fed around us mouths agape. This, however, was only the precursor to our grand finale.
Late in the afternoon, distant blows in a tight group were spotted. This is a great sign. As we approached, we could see three humpback whales cooperatively feeding by making bubble nets. We had absolutely perfect conditions with no wind, pure sunshine, and glassy water. With our hydrophone in the water, we would first hear one of the whales calling underwater to herd the fish. Then, the bubbles would start to appear at the surface making a curtain to corral the fish. And then, the eruption of the three whales, mouths agape. Herring could be seen launching into the air attempting to flee, but many were swallowed by the whales. All of this with perfect light and the backdrop of the green of the Tongass National Forest.
And, if that’s not enough, as I finished writing this we had another pod of killer whales. Our sixth group of orca in four straight days. Six individual killer whales, including a tiny calf, in the glowing light of the sunset was a little slice of heaven.
It has been a fabulous week filled with everything that the wilderness of Alaska has to offer.
