SEA WOLF ADVENTURES » 2010 Sea Wolf Adventures May-September

Glacier Bay Humpback Whale Report

Kimber — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:07:25 +0000

192 Humpback whales in Glacier Bay and Icy straits in 2010. We sure had some amazing whale sightings. We counted 27 breaches by one whale and I saw my first ever 4 whales breaching at one time. Of course I did not have my camera. Click below to read the whole report.

Humpback whale report from Glacier Bay National Park.

fluke

2whales

cowcalf

rostrum

whalebreach1

calf

A surreal paddle to Johns Hopkins Glacier

Kimber — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 18:04:36 +0000

Paddling to Johns Hopkins Glacier

One of my favorite paddles is heading up to Chocolate Falls in Johns Hopkins Inlet. The conditions allow for this only a few times a summer so when they are present, it’s lets go! There is an amazing view of Johns Hopkins Glacier. It is a late summer/fall paddle and entirely dependent on how much ice is in the inlet. On this paddle we spotted a Peregrine Falcon nest up on the north cliff face-very cool. An awesome paddle through the ice and we ate our lunch at the falls and explored the beaches. The glacier calved every 4 minutes and there were bear, mountain goat and wolf tracks along the beach. A very memorable day!

Paddling at Marjorie Glacier, Glacier Bay

Kimber — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 18:20:22 +0000

Paddling by a Bald Eagle perched on an ice berg- May in Glacier Bay

One of our favorite paddles is at Marjorie Glacier in Tarr Inlet. You paddle at a safe distance across the face of the glacier hoping for giant chunks of ice falling from the face with a resounding cannon like boom and huge splash of ice and frigid water. An added bonus is the kittiwake and puffin rookeries filled with thousands of nesting birds. So were we ever over the top with sensory input when an eagle landed on an ice burg next to us as we were paddling back to the Sea Wolf. I would love if people who have traveled with us can tell about their experience paddling here-it is an epic event.

Looking Back at 2010…What an Amazing Season!!!!

Kimber — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 23:23:20 +0000

Our 2010 season was chock full of exploring, discovering and learning. Early in April a dead Humpback whale was discovered near the Skidmore Cut-cause of death still unknown. This provided bonus food for all manner of critters-Brown bears, Wolverines, Wolves, Eagles just to name a few. Each time the Sea Wolf cruised the Skidmore cut area we were treated to incredible wildlife viewing of at least 3 bears and as many of 7 at times, enjoying a meal. It was wonderful having the opportunity to watch pecking order, courtship, mating and play behaviors.

Bear Eating on whales carcass

This season was amazing for marine life as well. We saw more Humpback bubble netting than I have ever seen as we had a few great herring runs that encourages that feeding strategy. We could even hear whale songs through the hull of the Sea Wolf. It was the summer of Orca’s as well-with many sighting of both salmon eating residents and marine mammal hunting transients. Great clients, unbelievable wildlife, wonderful weather and terrific vistas all made this a summer to remember. As I get my photo’s sorted I will share some of these special times. Hopefully some of our clients will comment and share as well. Thanks to all. May your days be filled with nature! Kimber

Wild Ocean Mists 10 Day

Kimber — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 22:05:31 +0000

Our first adventure of the season and co hosted with Cloud Ridge Naturalists was a wonderful and exciting time. Since the high seas prevented us from making it all the way out to Lituya Bay we explored the West Arm, East and accessible rugged outer coast area’s. Highlights to me were the early arriving acrobatic Humpback whales, our minus tide- intertidal paddle where we saw nudibranchs and other little seen sea creatures, 2 pairs of courting brown bears, newborn mountain goats and of course our majestic mountains and glaciers. I love spring!

New kid on the Rock!

Transiting to Port Townsend, WA

Kimber — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 17:50:06 +0000

Port Townsend, WA: Boat Haven Marina

We are about 3 hours out of Port Townsend where the Sea Wolf goes for her annual repair, maintenance and beautification process. It was a beautiful morning with the haunting call of the Common Loon ushering in the sunrise. Hard to believe it was light at 7 am, amazing what a 1,000 miles further south brings in terms of daylight. Hundreds of seabirds wintering here and many ducks as well- floating on the sound barely ruffled by our passing. Pigeon Guillemots, Common Loons, Double Crested Cormorants, Horned and Western Grebes, Harlequin Ducks, Mergansers, and Buffleheads are stretched across the inlet we just passed through.