Hood Bay/Lake Eva
Sunshine, slugs, salmon, singing, swimming…
Just another day as part of the crew aboard the Sea Bird. Early morning found us cruising along the shores of Hood Bay on Admiralty Island looking for wildlife. Around 6:30am, while setting the dining room for breakfast, we caught a glimpse of several Sitka black-tailed deer and a brown bear. This island has a higher concentration of brown bears per square mile than any other island in SE Alaska. While in Hood Bay we passed several abandoned canneries. Later in the morning naturalist Lee Moll gave a presentation in the lounge on glacial features and processes to prepare us for the following day in Glacier Bay National Park.
After crossing Chatham Strait we dropped the hook in Hanus Bay, offshore from a trail leading to Lake Eva on Baranof Island. During lunch the kayaks and Zodiacs were launched so we could spend the afternoon exploring the forest wonderland. Fortunate enough to have some time off in the afternoon we made our way to shore and passed a few kayakers that said they saw a few salmon swimming beneath them. These fish were making their way back to their natal waters flowing from the lake almost two miles inland. Several small groups entered the forest, walking through giant trees, large green leaves of devils club and skunk cabbage, moss covered rocks, and boot sucking mud. The hikers passed a nice waterfall and in a pool above there were several species of salmon waiting to move upstream. In this pool we made a few casts hoping to land one of these Alaskan giants. The forest was filled with songs from the hiking groups as a method to ward off the resident bears. The songs sounded a lot like a military song with an Alaskan spin: “I don’t know but I’ve been told, banana slugs move real slow.” Each verse ended with the familiar chorus, “Yo Bear!” The uncommonly warm Alaskan air and the sight of Lake Eva enticed a few hardy souls to go for a refreshing dip in the lake.
After dinner was finished and the dishes were put away, the show was not over; there was a report of bow-riding Dall’s porpoises. They didn’t stay long but were a treat for those lucky enough to catch a glimpse. Like we said, just another day at work aboard the Sea Bird. Never a dull moment.
Sunshine, slugs, salmon, singing, swimming…
Just another day as part of the crew aboard the Sea Bird. Early morning found us cruising along the shores of Hood Bay on Admiralty Island looking for wildlife. Around 6:30am, while setting the dining room for breakfast, we caught a glimpse of several Sitka black-tailed deer and a brown bear. This island has a higher concentration of brown bears per square mile than any other island in SE Alaska. While in Hood Bay we passed several abandoned canneries. Later in the morning naturalist Lee Moll gave a presentation in the lounge on glacial features and processes to prepare us for the following day in Glacier Bay National Park.
After crossing Chatham Strait we dropped the hook in Hanus Bay, offshore from a trail leading to Lake Eva on Baranof Island. During lunch the kayaks and Zodiacs were launched so we could spend the afternoon exploring the forest wonderland. Fortunate enough to have some time off in the afternoon we made our way to shore and passed a few kayakers that said they saw a few salmon swimming beneath them. These fish were making their way back to their natal waters flowing from the lake almost two miles inland. Several small groups entered the forest, walking through giant trees, large green leaves of devils club and skunk cabbage, moss covered rocks, and boot sucking mud. The hikers passed a nice waterfall and in a pool above there were several species of salmon waiting to move upstream. In this pool we made a few casts hoping to land one of these Alaskan giants. The forest was filled with songs from the hiking groups as a method to ward off the resident bears. The songs sounded a lot like a military song with an Alaskan spin: “I don’t know but I’ve been told, banana slugs move real slow.” Each verse ended with the familiar chorus, “Yo Bear!” The uncommonly warm Alaskan air and the sight of Lake Eva enticed a few hardy souls to go for a refreshing dip in the lake.
After dinner was finished and the dishes were put away, the show was not over; there was a report of bow-riding Dall’s porpoises. They didn’t stay long but were a treat for those lucky enough to catch a glimpse. Like we said, just another day at work aboard the Sea Bird. Never a dull moment.
