Kelp Bay, Chichagof Island
Despite the widespread belief that Alaskan weather forecasts have no basis in reality, we spent this afternoon and evening draped in 'abundant sun,' as promised by our local meteorologists. Like the yellow pond-lilies in today's photo, we turned our heads to the sky and soaked up its healing rays - several guests even went swimming in the frigid ocean waters!
While sun was the theme of the day, sun-bathing was not our only activity. I awoke to the breath of a humpback outside my window, gliding gracefully through a throng of Cassin's Auklets perched on the glassy calm of early morn. Yoga students stretched their backs on the Bridge deck; others stretched their nostrils to devour the aroma of fresh coffee. Our morning was spent cruising north from the Bay of Pillars - past spectacular waterfalls, Dall's porpoises, Rhinoceros Auklets, Common Murres, even a group of what appeared to be Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels. Arriving at our afternoon destination in Kelp Bay, off the northeast coast of Chichagof Island, we were treated to a spectacular outdoor banquet of barbecued Alaskan rockfish, beef and tofu, followed by make-your-own-sundae dessert. Despite this excess, we were able to waddle into our Zodiacs, kayaks and rubber boots and explore the delights of Pond Island.
How can I convey the relaxed beauty of contemplating the forest on sofas of moss, paddling amongst singing Marbled Murrelets, or watching a humpback swim beneath your Zodiac? Even the mushy muskeg was resplendent in the sunshine - Round-leaved Sundews offering their sticky beads to unwary gnats; trees and grasses reflected in the still waters of the beaver pond. Refreshing, energizing, tranquilizing… and then entertaining as our ragtag group of naturalists recapped the events of the day with songs, photographs, video images, and a bull kelp horn section composed of some of our enthusiastic young guests. On the bow, conversation and laughter faded into the dark alongside the reds and violets of the setting sun.
Despite the widespread belief that Alaskan weather forecasts have no basis in reality, we spent this afternoon and evening draped in 'abundant sun,' as promised by our local meteorologists. Like the yellow pond-lilies in today's photo, we turned our heads to the sky and soaked up its healing rays - several guests even went swimming in the frigid ocean waters!
While sun was the theme of the day, sun-bathing was not our only activity. I awoke to the breath of a humpback outside my window, gliding gracefully through a throng of Cassin's Auklets perched on the glassy calm of early morn. Yoga students stretched their backs on the Bridge deck; others stretched their nostrils to devour the aroma of fresh coffee. Our morning was spent cruising north from the Bay of Pillars - past spectacular waterfalls, Dall's porpoises, Rhinoceros Auklets, Common Murres, even a group of what appeared to be Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels. Arriving at our afternoon destination in Kelp Bay, off the northeast coast of Chichagof Island, we were treated to a spectacular outdoor banquet of barbecued Alaskan rockfish, beef and tofu, followed by make-your-own-sundae dessert. Despite this excess, we were able to waddle into our Zodiacs, kayaks and rubber boots and explore the delights of Pond Island.
How can I convey the relaxed beauty of contemplating the forest on sofas of moss, paddling amongst singing Marbled Murrelets, or watching a humpback swim beneath your Zodiac? Even the mushy muskeg was resplendent in the sunshine - Round-leaved Sundews offering their sticky beads to unwary gnats; trees and grasses reflected in the still waters of the beaver pond. Refreshing, energizing, tranquilizing… and then entertaining as our ragtag group of naturalists recapped the events of the day with songs, photographs, video images, and a bull kelp horn section composed of some of our enthusiastic young guests. On the bow, conversation and laughter faded into the dark alongside the reds and violets of the setting sun.
