Baranoff Island – Lake Eva and cruising
WOW! Sunshine!! The National Geographic Sea Lion cruised northeast heading for an early morning destination of Saook Bay. As many guests made their way towards the bow, they were greeted by snow capped peaks, forests of Sitka Spruce and Hemlock, and the inland waters of Southeast Alaska all decorated in dazzling sunlight. What a way to start our first day exploring Alaska. The National Geographic Sea Lion made a slow pass deep into Saook Bay watching for wildlife along the shoreline. Sitka black tail deer were nibbling algae on the beach, while Bald eagles soared over head cackling to each other, in the warmth of a gloriously sunny morning.
After cruising the waters of Saook Bay, the National Geographic Sea Lion continued cruising east towards our second morning destination of Hanus Bay. Bears and humans have shared the land and Lake Eva watershed of Hanus Bay since prehistoric times, due to several species of Pacific Salmon that use this lake and river system as their spawning grounds. These important food fish have nourished the bears, humans and the trees of the surrounding forests since their first arrival, helping create an intricate web of life that is a central part of the Northwest Coast life. As soon as breakfast and a few mandatory shipboard briefings were completed, Zodiacs brought guests, staff and all necessary equipment ashore for our morning's activities. Kayaks were lined up on shore awaiting a group of intrepid paddlers, and staff members were standing by to accompany those of our group interested in hikes through the forest along a lake fed stream. The forest was brightly lit by sunshine, filled with singing birds and for the careful observer the forest floor had the very beginnings of spring flowers. There were wild blue berries in bloom, fern-leaved gold thread sending up tiny white spiders for flowers and the ubiquitous skunk cabbage flowers, all bright yellow in a sea of different spring greens!
On the water, kayakers spent their time watching Eagles feasting in the tidal flats created by the low tide. The waters were calm and all paddlers enjoyed the opportunity to spend some quiet time enjoying both the sights and sounds, in excellent conditions under mostly sunny skies...albeit, the occasional rain squall would pass over everyone, whether on land or water; reminding each of us of the changing face of this unique temperate rain forest coast of Southeast Alaska.
Once everyone was back on board the National Geographic Sea Lion, she moved off her anchorage and began a slow afternoon of cruising. Leaving Hanus Bay, the National Geographic Sea Lion continued running on an eastern course in Peril Straits near the Eva Islands searching for marine mammals. From Peril Straits our ship headed out into the waters of Chatham Strait, one of the greatest fjords that divides the islands of the Alexander Archipelago, continuing our goal of finding marine mammals. These waters are known for Humpback whales who travel from a variety of areas in the Pacific Ocean to summer in the rich waters of Southeast Alaska. Heading north to a regularly visited site of Iyoukeen Cove on Chichagof Island, the first blows were spotted at some distance. The remainder of the afternoon was spent watching Humpback whales while cruising the waters Chatham Strait. Breeches, flukes and many beautifully lit blows could be seen in every direction, making observation slightly difficult, though it was wonderful to realize the richness of the waters of Southeast Alaska; and the magnitude of that food source that draws so many large marine animals to these waters to feed.
As the evening continued, our good fortune remained strong, both in fabulous light and sightings of marine mammals....as dusk approached around 9 pm, many of us returned to the bow to watch another group of Humpback whales, cruising, diving directly under the bow of the National Geographic Sea Lion, then surfacing and continuing with the business of making a living in some of the richest waters in the northern part of the planet.
