Idaho Inlet and Point Adolphus
It is supposedly unlucky to say the number 13 on ships according to maritime legends. Plus as we all know Friday the 13th is supposed to be a day to watch out for and a day that may be full of bad luck. Well it was a day full of great luck on the Sea Bird in Alaska! We awoke to another spectacular morning full of sunshine and mirror-calm seas. There were many sea otter and harbor porpoise sightings as we cruised the narrow stretches of Idaho Inlet.
After a hearty breakfast, we began the day’s activities on Shaw and Chichagof Islands. Many people chose the option of hikes to explore this beautiful part of the Tongass National Forest. We walked along the trails through the forest and discovered an ancient bear trail where these amazing mammals step in the same footprints year after year. It took three hands from the Desimone family to fill up one footstep of these brown bears that may have continuously walked in this path for the last 500 years!
We also had the opportunity to kayak in the serene waters near Shaw Island. We paddled through the kelp beds and had close encounters with harbor seals and harbor porpoises. Black legged kittiwakes and marbled murrelets surfaced everywhere and it was a lovely way to begin the day. When we returned to the ship we were treated to a fantastic barbecue on the top deck as we slowly made our way towards Point Adolphus.
Captain Kalbach has nicknamed the humpback whales off Point Adolphus the “Ladies of Adolphus” and we could see the blows of many as we approached the area. A calf of this year impressed us with an energetic surface display of breaching over 13 times. The thrill of the day was when ten adult humpback whales swam right towards our ship and dove right next to the bow. We were coated in humpback whale breath and loved it!
We eventually had to sail away from the “Ladies” but those that stayed on deck were treated to Dall’s porpoises bow-riding. These striking black and white porpoises were swimming just off the bow and received a free ride from the pressure wave created by the ship’s bow. It was a nice marine mammal finale for the day. Our good luck with weather, whales and other wildlife continues no matter what day is listed on the calendar.
It is supposedly unlucky to say the number 13 on ships according to maritime legends. Plus as we all know Friday the 13th is supposed to be a day to watch out for and a day that may be full of bad luck. Well it was a day full of great luck on the Sea Bird in Alaska! We awoke to another spectacular morning full of sunshine and mirror-calm seas. There were many sea otter and harbor porpoise sightings as we cruised the narrow stretches of Idaho Inlet.
After a hearty breakfast, we began the day’s activities on Shaw and Chichagof Islands. Many people chose the option of hikes to explore this beautiful part of the Tongass National Forest. We walked along the trails through the forest and discovered an ancient bear trail where these amazing mammals step in the same footprints year after year. It took three hands from the Desimone family to fill up one footstep of these brown bears that may have continuously walked in this path for the last 500 years!
We also had the opportunity to kayak in the serene waters near Shaw Island. We paddled through the kelp beds and had close encounters with harbor seals and harbor porpoises. Black legged kittiwakes and marbled murrelets surfaced everywhere and it was a lovely way to begin the day. When we returned to the ship we were treated to a fantastic barbecue on the top deck as we slowly made our way towards Point Adolphus.
Captain Kalbach has nicknamed the humpback whales off Point Adolphus the “Ladies of Adolphus” and we could see the blows of many as we approached the area. A calf of this year impressed us with an energetic surface display of breaching over 13 times. The thrill of the day was when ten adult humpback whales swam right towards our ship and dove right next to the bow. We were coated in humpback whale breath and loved it!
We eventually had to sail away from the “Ladies” but those that stayed on deck were treated to Dall’s porpoises bow-riding. These striking black and white porpoises were swimming just off the bow and received a free ride from the pressure wave created by the ship’s bow. It was a nice marine mammal finale for the day. Our good luck with weather, whales and other wildlife continues no matter what day is listed on the calendar.
