Bay of Pillars & Chatham Strait
Morning on the bow was exciting and peaceful, all at the same time. We left the warmth of our beds earlier than normal. Humpback whales were our inspiration. Several whales were in the area, occasionally lunge feeding, other times moving slowly across the surface. Their blows hung high in the calm morning air, marking the place they had just been. Deeper dives were given away by the show of a fluke. Whales were not the only ones gathered. A huge flock of red-necked phalaropes floated and chattered on the water. A school of fish beside the ship was so active at the surface that they sounded like a rainstorm.
Zodiac explorations in Bay of Pillars brought us many fine sightings as well. Sea otters, floating on their backs and cleaning their fur were sighted right near our anchorage. Mink scampered along the algae covered rocks in search of a morning meal. The lower tide meant more menu options since more creatures were left without the cover of water. Anemones, sea stars, and barnacles in fruit loop colors clung to the cliffs awaiting the incoming tide. Bull kelp covered the water surface in the quieter coves and occasionally tugged at our propellers like long ropes attached to the bottom. We turned off the motor and drifted to enjoy the quiet. Only an occasional call from a raven or kingfisher broke the peaceful silence.
By afternoon we had another outstanding sighting, the sun! The blue skies and distant snowcapped peaks kept us outside on deck where we then spotted many other delights. Steller sea lions entertained us with both sounds and antics near Yasha Island. Dall’s porpoises rode in front of the bow, and humpback whales were occasionally sighted traveling in Chatham Strait.
Morning on the bow was exciting and peaceful, all at the same time. We left the warmth of our beds earlier than normal. Humpback whales were our inspiration. Several whales were in the area, occasionally lunge feeding, other times moving slowly across the surface. Their blows hung high in the calm morning air, marking the place they had just been. Deeper dives were given away by the show of a fluke. Whales were not the only ones gathered. A huge flock of red-necked phalaropes floated and chattered on the water. A school of fish beside the ship was so active at the surface that they sounded like a rainstorm.
Zodiac explorations in Bay of Pillars brought us many fine sightings as well. Sea otters, floating on their backs and cleaning their fur were sighted right near our anchorage. Mink scampered along the algae covered rocks in search of a morning meal. The lower tide meant more menu options since more creatures were left without the cover of water. Anemones, sea stars, and barnacles in fruit loop colors clung to the cliffs awaiting the incoming tide. Bull kelp covered the water surface in the quieter coves and occasionally tugged at our propellers like long ropes attached to the bottom. We turned off the motor and drifted to enjoy the quiet. Only an occasional call from a raven or kingfisher broke the peaceful silence.
By afternoon we had another outstanding sighting, the sun! The blue skies and distant snowcapped peaks kept us outside on deck where we then spotted many other delights. Steller sea lions entertained us with both sounds and antics near Yasha Island. Dall’s porpoises rode in front of the bow, and humpback whales were occasionally sighted traveling in Chatham Strait.
