Freshwater Bay and Pavlof Harbor, Chichagof Island
Bubble bubble, swim circle circle, flash a pectoral fin, baritone yelp, whoop whoop, ooooh! Another batch of herring is gulped into the bellies of over a dozen humpback whales. A few rejuvenating breaths at the surface, arching backs, muscles tensed, ohhs and ahhs of our amazement for the massive beautiful flukes lifting, dripping and slipping underwater and bubble bubble starts all over again. Such was our morning and early afternoon today. Between these sightings and being the appreciative audience for over a dozen humpback whales, we explored the well beaten bear trails at Pavlof Harbor. Skeletons and wiggling salmon both were found at the waterfall. Proof of bears in the area surrounded us, from roe adorned piles of scat to deep muddy footprints skirting the stream and leading to the lake.
Our week has been filled with a dazzling and dizzying array of sightings; from the wolves at the whale carcass to the wolves of the sea, killer whales. From a black bear to brown bears to mountain goats perched high on cliffs and low amongst the barnacles. Humpback whales, breaching and feeding seemingly around every corner. Southeast Alaska laid all her wildlife wonders out on the table this week and we feasted in the abundance and diversity.
Some writings by our guests:
Wildlife Sonnet
By Emily Blake, age 16
Almost anyone can identify this specific Alaskan animal. This sonnet will attempt to simplify the spotting of this attractive mammal. In this state all different sites are found. If you follow their trails on a hike, You will find its purple scat on the ground. A common kid’s toy is its look alike. Have you discerned what it is yet/ Not quite? Here’s a hint: berries are a yummy treat. Stepping on a scale it wouldn’t be light. Blueberries are tasty but they love meat. They are scary, big and have lots of hair. Now let’s see…is this mammal a brown bear?
Alaska Life
By Renee Remsberg, age 10 and Kate Parker, age 7
The sun is shining
The sky is blue
The wind is breaking
The whales are singing
The seals are playing
The bears are running
The fish are jumping
And different birds are flying.
If you’re listening closely, you’ll hear them whispering
Alaska, Alaska
This is our home
We love it, we love it
It’s the best home, Alaska.
Gray Wolf
By Sarah Josephine Blake, age 12
Gray Wolf
Hunters like no other
Running, hunting, chasing, howling, growling, playing
Never ending love for their wolf pack
Don’t leave
Calving
By Sarah Josephine Blake, age 12
Crazy
After shock
Loud
Vicious
Into water
Not with cows
Going, going, GONE.
By Philip Horn, age 10
Fire it burns like wood.
It burns buildings and places
Water puts it out
Bear he’s tough like fire
Bear he’s like a darn gangster
Bear she has a cub.
Other Contributions from the Horn Family:
Walking down the trail
My feet touching soft, rich earth
Peace is in my thoughts
Jump, large creature!
Let yourself up for some air
Our eyes are watching.
The galloping ghost
In cold Alaskan water
White stripes on the fluke!
Glacier
By Clare Grant, age 9 and Meghan Grant, age 12
Blue and white, icy
Calving, splash, shooters, thunder
This is a glacier.
