Lake Eva & Whale Watching
The first day of our expedition in Southeast Alaska was quite an exciting introduction to this amazing place. After a nice warm breakfast, we learned the do's and don’ts when dealing with Zodiacs, kayaks, and bears! The Zodiac grip, good paddle etiquette and no food ashore are the mantras we learned. The offerings at Lake Eva were kayaking and walks along a well established bear trail to a river cascade full of spawning humpback and chum salmon. A bear was seen briefly going after its own fish meal at the base of the cascade. The first chance to the bountiful forest was also a plus.
Once everyone was aboard, lunch was enjoyed only to be followed by our first humpback whale of the trip. This solitary animal was making its way east towards the very wide Chatham Straight possibly in search of food. We cruised north with the sun out and the wind at our back which made the lunch seem like a very good sleeping agent. But eyes were peeled for even more hungry humpbacks. The searching was lengthy but finally a cry of spouts was heard from the deck. A good distance out it seemed to be many many whales. Once closer it was confirmed, close to 20 whales were not only feeding but doing so in a way seen only here in the waters of Southeast Alaska.
Cooperative bubble net foraging is the technical term; “WOW” and “OH MY” are the less technical but very descriptive terms heard from the newly initiated. When over a dozen whales breach the surface of the water with mouths agape sometime there is a also a loss of words. We spent the rest of the afternoon following the hungry whales until it was time for us to begin foraging in the lounge during cocktail hour.
The first day of our expedition in Southeast Alaska was quite an exciting introduction to this amazing place. After a nice warm breakfast, we learned the do's and don’ts when dealing with Zodiacs, kayaks, and bears! The Zodiac grip, good paddle etiquette and no food ashore are the mantras we learned. The offerings at Lake Eva were kayaking and walks along a well established bear trail to a river cascade full of spawning humpback and chum salmon. A bear was seen briefly going after its own fish meal at the base of the cascade. The first chance to the bountiful forest was also a plus.
Once everyone was aboard, lunch was enjoyed only to be followed by our first humpback whale of the trip. This solitary animal was making its way east towards the very wide Chatham Straight possibly in search of food. We cruised north with the sun out and the wind at our back which made the lunch seem like a very good sleeping agent. But eyes were peeled for even more hungry humpbacks. The searching was lengthy but finally a cry of spouts was heard from the deck. A good distance out it seemed to be many many whales. Once closer it was confirmed, close to 20 whales were not only feeding but doing so in a way seen only here in the waters of Southeast Alaska.
Cooperative bubble net foraging is the technical term; “WOW” and “OH MY” are the less technical but very descriptive terms heard from the newly initiated. When over a dozen whales breach the surface of the water with mouths agape sometime there is a also a loss of words. We spent the rest of the afternoon following the hungry whales until it was time for us to begin foraging in the lounge during cocktail hour.
