Intertidal Creatures
How many intertidal creatures can you see in this photo and what are their names?
Glacier Bay amazes people with the broad range of hundreds if not thousands of creatures who live in the tidal range . I shot this photo from a kayak at one of my favorite paddling places where there is a vertical tide pool. As the tide goes out the mysteries of the 5 tidal zones become revealed.
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 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.
What a Day!
Cruising up Wauchusset Inlet on a spectacular sunny day. I remember the stroll up to a waterfall and an odd rock that looked like a bear with this very fun group of Michiganders from Leland County.
The Alaska Ferry is another great way to get to Gustavus. Come a few days before your Sea Wolf Adventure begins. Fishing, biking, hiking, whale, bird and wild life watching-it all happens in Gustavus! Then a Bush plane back to Juneau after your cruising adventure on the MV Sea Wolf-now that’s Alaskan Adventure!
Alaska Ferry at Gustavus Dock
Alaska State Ferry
Thoughts of spring in Glacier Bay, AK can only make you smile with anticipation of May. The short summer comes to life with a burst of energy in spring. Trees flush out with new growth, rocky shore plants start sending out shoots, Morels peak out from leaf debris and of course the wildlife ventures out with their new young. Calves, pups, cubs, kids, nestlings, goslings, fingerlings, kits and thousands of other type of young spring forth on land and sea. Here are a few pictures to celebrate the fun of being young!
the Epic Adventure begins with our first of the season Glacier Bay expeditions. If you are thinking of joining us for an adventure, you may also want to consider chartering the whole boat for a private family or friend adventure. Singles, couples, friends and groups all have amazing adventures on the Sea Wolf. I very much look forward to a new exciting season and meeting all the fun adventuresome guests cruising with us in 2011.
Tania Lewis, Glacier Bay National Parks bear biologist sent us a picture from one of the webcams by the dead whale- shows a wolf by the whale carcass and the Sea wolf drifting behind. It will be a very interesting report on who gorged on the carcass, species interactions and how it will affect the 2011 population growth and survival. I promise to share when I hear.
Wolf feeding on whale carcass
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
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!
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