Lake Eva, Baranof Island/Chatham Strait
On our first morning in Southeastern Alaska, we enter the cool rainforests of Baranof Island. The towering old growth forests seem both primeval and enchanting. Ancient spruce and hemlock trees shelter a mossy, fern-shrouded forest floor where we encountered many surprises. Here a budding young naturalist on our family trip inspects a rare candy cane-colored saprophytic orchid.
Mid-morning kayak excursions also allow us to venture into the drainage of the nearby freshwater Lake Eva. Here salmon leap and lunge about us in anticipation of their annual upstream spawning migrations.
A leisurely cruise during the afternoon was interrupted by numerous congregations of feeding humpback whales. Besides active lunging after food, we observed breaches, flipper-slapping, and other behaviors. In the lingering Northern twilight, we delay near Frederick Sound as we encountered other humpback whales, which employed a different method of feeding. As the Sea Bird idled, dozens of whales moved near to blow underwater cones of air bubbles corralling small fish which the whales then rise towards the surface to swallow in enormous watery gulps.
We watched enthralled at this remarkable behavior which was replayed time and again just off our bow.
On our first morning in Southeastern Alaska, we enter the cool rainforests of Baranof Island. The towering old growth forests seem both primeval and enchanting. Ancient spruce and hemlock trees shelter a mossy, fern-shrouded forest floor where we encountered many surprises. Here a budding young naturalist on our family trip inspects a rare candy cane-colored saprophytic orchid.
Mid-morning kayak excursions also allow us to venture into the drainage of the nearby freshwater Lake Eva. Here salmon leap and lunge about us in anticipation of their annual upstream spawning migrations.
A leisurely cruise during the afternoon was interrupted by numerous congregations of feeding humpback whales. Besides active lunging after food, we observed breaches, flipper-slapping, and other behaviors. In the lingering Northern twilight, we delay near Frederick Sound as we encountered other humpback whales, which employed a different method of feeding. As the Sea Bird idled, dozens of whales moved near to blow underwater cones of air bubbles corralling small fish which the whales then rise towards the surface to swallow in enormous watery gulps.
We watched enthralled at this remarkable behavior which was replayed time and again just off our bow.
