Pavlof Harbor
Many of us had just sat down on our yoga mats when we heard the announcement that there were humpback whales nearby. Back on our feet, we used the horizon to help us practice balancing, while we searched in every direction. We were soon delighted to see blows and flukes off the starboard rail.
Down in the dining room we had just enough time to fill our plates when another announcement was made. An orca chasing a Dall’s porpoise had been spotted. With breakfast still on the table, we all made our way to the bow. Soon, an unbelievable story unfolded right in front of us.
With the mother porpoise chased off, her small baby was now left alone. The two adult orcas had created an opportunity to teach a juvenile orca how to hunt. For many unforgettable minutes, the small Dall’s porpoise was chased, thrown, and corralled by the three orcas. Several times we thought the porpoise must be gone, only to see the small creature reappear at the surface. Then, in one final, spectacular leap the hunt was over.
Technically, orcas are more closely related to dolphins than to humpbacks. They are known as killer whales because they kill whales. Though all orcas are toothed creatures, only the transient pods eat marine mammals, while the resident pods only eat fish. As if we had not had enough excitement already, we were soon called back up to the bow. This time there was a humpback breaching and smacking its huge pectoral fins on the water. Growing up to 40 tons, it is incredible to watch these whales launch themselves with such grace. What we saw this morning was a once in a lifetime experience for most guests, as well as many of the staff on board.
This afternoon, we wrapped up in our rain gear to explore Pavlof Harbor. Within minutes of leaving the shore, both the hikers and the kayakers discovered not one, not two, but three brown bears frolicking in the cascades of a salmon stream. The two larger bears may possibly have been siblings and sparred playfully up on their hind legs. All three were cautious of each other as they were still young and dominance had not been clearly established. The hikes may have been shorter than expected, but the experience of witnessing bears looking for salmon was irreplaceable.
Many of us had just sat down on our yoga mats when we heard the announcement that there were humpback whales nearby. Back on our feet, we used the horizon to help us practice balancing, while we searched in every direction. We were soon delighted to see blows and flukes off the starboard rail.
Down in the dining room we had just enough time to fill our plates when another announcement was made. An orca chasing a Dall’s porpoise had been spotted. With breakfast still on the table, we all made our way to the bow. Soon, an unbelievable story unfolded right in front of us.
With the mother porpoise chased off, her small baby was now left alone. The two adult orcas had created an opportunity to teach a juvenile orca how to hunt. For many unforgettable minutes, the small Dall’s porpoise was chased, thrown, and corralled by the three orcas. Several times we thought the porpoise must be gone, only to see the small creature reappear at the surface. Then, in one final, spectacular leap the hunt was over.
Technically, orcas are more closely related to dolphins than to humpbacks. They are known as killer whales because they kill whales. Though all orcas are toothed creatures, only the transient pods eat marine mammals, while the resident pods only eat fish. As if we had not had enough excitement already, we were soon called back up to the bow. This time there was a humpback breaching and smacking its huge pectoral fins on the water. Growing up to 40 tons, it is incredible to watch these whales launch themselves with such grace. What we saw this morning was a once in a lifetime experience for most guests, as well as many of the staff on board.
This afternoon, we wrapped up in our rain gear to explore Pavlof Harbor. Within minutes of leaving the shore, both the hikers and the kayakers discovered not one, not two, but three brown bears frolicking in the cascades of a salmon stream. The two larger bears may possibly have been siblings and sparred playfully up on their hind legs. All three were cautious of each other as they were still young and dominance had not been clearly established. The hikes may have been shorter than expected, but the experience of witnessing bears looking for salmon was irreplaceable.
