Hanus Bay & Chatham Strait
Nature teamed up with our Expediton Staff today, offering us a grand welcome to Southeast Alaska. Early morning humpback whales allowed us the first of several exciting encounters. Zodiacs brought us into Hanus Bay, where we gave our hand at paddling along in kayaks – spotting common mergansers, harbor seals, and bald eagles. We were introduced to some good ol’ Southeast Alaskan mud on our interpretive hikes into the old-growth forest. At first looks, the forest appeared a mix of dense greenery and browns. Under the guidance of the Expedition Staff, however, we soon were able to distinguish the many sights and sounds that make up the temperate rain forest. Along the trail we became acquainted with the small yet important banana slug, bear tracks, and coralroot orchids. We heard the chatter of red squirrels and the calls of the sapsucker young in the trees and witnessed evidence of beavers hard at work. The songs of the winter wren and varied thrush kept us company on the trail as we made our way through the forest. Although we stopped to observe these sights and sounds individually, we became aware of the vital roles of each plant and animal within the forest. They cannot exist separately, but rely on one another to coexist. The following haiku is inspired by the idea of looking at the details within the whole.
Whoosh! of humpback whales
Old growth, paddles, twilight bears
We greet Southeast Alaska.
Nature teamed up with our Expediton Staff today, offering us a grand welcome to Southeast Alaska. Early morning humpback whales allowed us the first of several exciting encounters. Zodiacs brought us into Hanus Bay, where we gave our hand at paddling along in kayaks – spotting common mergansers, harbor seals, and bald eagles. We were introduced to some good ol’ Southeast Alaskan mud on our interpretive hikes into the old-growth forest. At first looks, the forest appeared a mix of dense greenery and browns. Under the guidance of the Expedition Staff, however, we soon were able to distinguish the many sights and sounds that make up the temperate rain forest. Along the trail we became acquainted with the small yet important banana slug, bear tracks, and coralroot orchids. We heard the chatter of red squirrels and the calls of the sapsucker young in the trees and witnessed evidence of beavers hard at work. The songs of the winter wren and varied thrush kept us company on the trail as we made our way through the forest. Although we stopped to observe these sights and sounds individually, we became aware of the vital roles of each plant and animal within the forest. They cannot exist separately, but rely on one another to coexist. The following haiku is inspired by the idea of looking at the details within the whole.
Whoosh! of humpback whales
Old growth, paddles, twilight bears
We greet Southeast Alaska.
