SEA WOLF ADVENTURES

It is almost spring…

Kimber — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 23:04:39 +0000

The Sea Wolf is migrating up the coast along with the Sandhill Cranes, Snow Geese, Arctic Terns, Gray Whales, Humpback Whales and many other species. Daffodils, Garlic and Crocus are all pushing thru the soil and the willows are budding. Only 3 weeks until we begin our season of amazing authentic adventures. We look forward to adventuring with all of our guests.

Tell me what you think of our new Typography, our first phase of branding by Don Moore of “Imagine Moore”

Nature chose for a tool…

Kimber — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 01:21:30 +0000

“Nature chose for a tool, not the earthquake or lightning to rend and split asunder, not the stormy torrent or eroding rain, but the tender snow-flowers noiselessly falling through unnumbered centuries.” by John Muir

Anchored off of Lituya Glacier, Glacier Bay National Park

Marjorie Glacier Calving

Brown Bear at Reid Glacier

Majestic Johns Hopkins Glacier

How heavy is ice?

Reflections

Looking down on Lamplough Glacier

Hiking at McBride Glacier

Paddling in the ice-Marjorie Glacier

Marjorie Calving

Casement Glacier

Ice Caves

Paddling in the ice

Endicott Arm Ice berg

Dawes Glacier

Spring Birding in Glacier Bay

Kimber — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 00:28:07 +0000

Over 350 species of birds pass over Glacier Bay Alaska in the spring with over 130 species staying to nest. If you love birds as well as other beautiful creatures May is the best time to see the widest variety of migrants, vagrants and local birds. From Swans to Snow Geese to Sandhill Cranes to Lapland Longspurs to the loquacious Raven, spring migration is quite the spectacle. May 12-17, May 19-24 Excellent Birding, Bears & Whales.

American Bald Eagle

Migrating Sandhill Cranes

Common Murres

Migrating Snow Geese

Surf Scoter

Common Loon

Sandpipers

Dessert

Black Oystercatcher

Nesting Black Legged kittiwakes

Higher up is a Horned Puffin, lower is a Common Murre

Pelagic Cormorants

Tufted Puffin landing with a splash

Black Oystercatchers

Red Necked Phalaropes

Black-legged Kittiwakes

Juvenile Bald eagle

Sunshine and beautiful historic boats :)

Kimber — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 22:37:59 +0000

This morning a 1930′s former NOAAFisheries boat called the Pelican hauled out next to us, she sure is a lovely work boat. It was fun to learn the history of her research influence on the shrimp fishery in the Gulf of Mexico. The mountains are all out with their snowy peaks and the sailboat masts sparkling in the sunlight. A great weather day in the yard. The crew is working hard and the Sea Wolf is reflecting their meticulous work. Wildlife sightings: same coyote-he has a torn ear, Red Wing Blackbirds , they are so brilliant in color, Rhinoceros Auklets, many ducks, a Kingfisher, Bald eagles and a Red tailed hawk.

“A thing of beauty is a joy forever: its loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness.” Keates

Seasonal Changes in Glacier Bay and Beyond- Focus on May

Kimber — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 19:49:41 +0000

May is a special time in the bay for watching wildlife and birding. Flocks of birds either migrating to the arctic or to their nesting grounds here are still coming through or settling in to their nesting in the bay. Bears are down low on the beaches munching the spring shoots of the sedges and grasses. Mountain Goats with newborn kids scampering on the cliffs, personally this makes my heart stop but they are agile, even so young. Moose still on the beach moraines eating on the new shoots of watery plants and horsetail. Did you know that horsetail has so much silica in it that it wears their teeth down quickly? I have used it to scrub pots when camping as it is so abrasive. The weather is usually sunny and cool, less rain than the summer months and having the mountains still adorned with cornices of snow lend a special quality to your photographs. We saw some incredible avalanches and waterfalls last spring because of the heavy snow year. I wonder what this spring will bring- join us in May for the incredible springtime emergence and very special rates.

Black Oystercatcher

Surfbird

Sea Wolf

Black bear grazing sedges

Sea Wolf’s Annual Getting Ready for Spring

Kimber — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 20:56:14 +0000

I cannot believe it is this time of the year again, where did winter go. The Sea Wolf’s 1941 Hamilton engine is newly rebuilt and thrumming along very happily thanks to engineers Zach and James. We performed sea trials and then put her in dry dock. Jake & Roberto have been completing great shipwright projects and thanks to Dianna for her beautiful finish work. Joshua, Daryl and Lara are working on painting the hull. We will be blogging the work going on, other Sea Wolf news as well as our critter sightings. Today, 1 Raccoon, 2 River Otters, 1 coyote, 3 Bald Eagles, Ravens, Glaucous Wing Gulls, 6 Brandt geese, many Buffleheads, Common and Hooded Mergansers, Great Blue Heron and Sanderlings; all seen from the boat sitting on the hard in Port Townsend, WA.

Jake reseating the stack with a new sill

Zach saying sounds sweet-first start after rebuild

In the slings

Sea Wolf on the hard

J prepping the rudder area

Lara sanding the hull

Dianna painting the new storeroom

Daryl prepping the hull for painting

Daryl taping off the water line

Lunch time?

Jake cleaning up the anchor guard

Joshua-Boss of the hull crew

Citizen Science on the Sea Wolf

Kimber — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 05:57:43 +0000

Citizen Scientists are people concerned about the environment who choose to help make a difference locally, nationally and even on the Sea Wolf. They spend time outside- observing nature with a passion, and taking note of what they see to share with scientists and others who care. Check out our new Citizen Science Page-Get Involved as you are an important part of the Fauna.

Lituya Bay,Brown Bear Tracks-Yes, I would say they are here :)

Humpback Whales

Intertidal Paddle

Brown Bears on the beach

Edibles at Reid Glacier

Bergy bits

Come hike in the rain forest…

Kimber — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 16:46:53 +0000

“Acts of creation are ordinarily reserved for gods and poets, but humbler folk may circumvent this restriction if they know how. To plant a pine, for example, one need be neither god nor poet; one need only own a shovel. By virtue of this curious loophole in the rules, any clodhopper may say: Let there be a tree – and there will be one.”
― Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac: With Other Essays on Conservation from Round River

Adventure Alaskan style with Alaskans

Kimber — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 20:20:11 +0000

Join us for a 10 day incredible adventure exploring Glacier Bay and Beyond- from glacier scoured mountains to the rocky wild coast to ancient rain forests. This is the end all see all adventure with local Alaskan guides who will immerse you in the wilderness of Alaska. 4 staterooms still available.

“Wild Ocean Mists Adventure”

“A man practices the art of adventure when he breaks the chain of routine and renews his life through reading new books, traveling to new places, making new friends, taking up new hobbies and adopting new viewpoints” Wilfred Peterson

May in the Bay…Low fares & Adventure!

Kimber — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 19:27:41 +0000

May generally has the sunniest and clearest days of the summer and long days to explore. I love being the first adventurers in Glacier Bay in the spring. You can see the changes that weather and time has wrought on the landscape and view up close those critters who are down low on the shoreline in search of succulent sedges and intertidal protein. Check out our May Adventures . 10 Days 4,900 per person 6 Days 3560.00

There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature ~ the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after the winter.
Rachel Carson (1907 – 1964)