SEA WOLF ADVENTURES » alaska

Hey wheelchair adventurers…Let’s go kayaking!

Kimber — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:17:28 +0000

Sea Wolf Adventures offers quality natural history cruises to people of all abilities that brings you into the wilderness areas where the larger vessels cannot navigate. Imagine exploring with 11 other like minded adventurers- scanning the beaches for wildlife, paddling across the front of majestic glaciers or sipping on a lovely Malbec while seated in the Sea Wolf’s heated aft deck which offers a 180 degree view. Sea Wolf recently won a National Park Service, National Award for Accessibility. To read the article, go to http://www.nps.gov/glba/parknews/2011-11-10.htm

So if you, a friend or family member is an active wheelchair or mobility impaired adventurer please consider exploring with us-we promise safe and fun adventure! We are offering a special 2012 rate for wheelers with companions.

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.

Flight of the Tufted Puffin

Kimber — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 02:09:36 +0000

Tufted Puffins are active at their nest colonies during the day and can often be seen sitting on rocks in an upright posture. Once airborne, they fly well but they need a running start to take flight. They dive and swim underwater, using their wings to paddle and their feet to steer their way through schools of small fish, which they catch in their bills. They can be seen carrying fish crosswise in their bills (sometimes 12 or more), which they take back to their young. Studies have also shown other reasons why natural selection favored small, pointed wings in many aquatic birds. Apparently birds with small, pointed wings are adept at high-speed, long-distance flight, essential for rapid movement between habitats. But, small, pointed wings cannot generate lift at low speed, so rapid vertical takeoffs are impossible. This is not a big problem for most diving birds because their open aquatic habitats prevent close approach by undetected predators. In addition, when the birds slow down to land, their small wings stall easily and lose lift. Fortunately, high-speed hard landings are more acceptable on water than on land. Here is a takeoff sequence. We see them on our adventures at their nesting areas or out at sea.

May-September Weather in Glacier Bay

Kimber — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 17:25:55 +0000

Glacier Bay’s weather is greatly influenced by the N. Pacific ocean currents, mountains and the rivers of glacial ice that cascade down the mountain sides. If we have misty rain down bay then many times when we get up bay there is a giant sucker hole of blue over the glaciers to enjoy a sunny paddle. Each fjord you slip into can offer its own weather pattern. I love May, June, Late August and September-crisp, cool, so very few people, returning whales, bears grazing on the intertidal and less chance of rain. Late June, July and August offer spectacular wildflower blooms, scrumptious berries, cavorting whales and bears foraging on the hillsides. Sockeye, Pink and finally the Coho salmon start pooling up in front of streams waiting for the summer rains that give them the fresh and higher waters that they need to make their way upstream to spawn. We are a rainforest and need rain for this fragile ecosystem to flourish-so rain is welcome, although my dream 24 hours is a sunny 65 degree day and a gentle soaking rain while we sleep. So if you are dressed for the weather, layered clothing and good rain gear, it is all wonderful!

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.

Sea Wolf Guest Memories of the Day!

Kimber — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 21:36:29 +0000

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.

Travel Adventurously: Alaska Ferry to Gustavus-great way to start your Sea Wolf Adventure

Kimber — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 19:23:24 +0000

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

ferryschedule

Spring is coming :)

Kimber — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 23:00:17 +0000

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!

2011 is here-Only 107 Days until…

Kimber — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 22:15:29 +0000

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

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