Huge male Killer Whale travelling in Icy Strait

 Also, I will pass on interesting information about the marine mammals, birds, plants,  tidewater life  and  portions of this magnifacent  maritime area.  This was an exciting and rewarding summer for both amatuer and professional photographers onboard Exodus.  More than the average number of sunny days caused the plankton to bloom more.  This inturn provided more food for small bait fish like herring , therefore  much more herring for others like Salmon,  Halibut , Harbor Porpoise, Bald Eagles and Humpback whales.  Plus,  Exodus provides a very stable photography platform.  At the same time we are able to listen to the whalesongs thru our hydraphone. What a total sensory experience!  As the whales get closer the volume increases.  Sometimes it gets very very loud!

Hungry Humpback whales coordinate bubble net feeding together

On  August 14th,while  on a visit  to Point Adolphus in Icy Strait, we observed an hour long intermingling of  Stellar Sealions,  Humpbacks and a pod of Orcas. Rarely do you witness these three species frolicing together.  Especially, accompanied by their babies!   The babies(calves)  entertained themselves and us with continuous tail(fluke) splashing and breeching.  On other occasions,near Hoonah Harbor and Icy Strait Point we observed and photographed Humpback whales bubblenet feeding.  Some distance below the surface, the whales swim together in a circle while exhaling bubbles and rising toward the surface.  The circle tightens and the whales,with their huge mouths wide open, explode  simultaniously into the air.  Little fish are flopping,  sea gulls are diving and cameras are in rapidfire.   Our photgraphers success rate is much higher with the new digital cameras.  Our voyages also kept us in contact with several breeding pairs of Bald Eagles and their nestlings.  The pairs mate  for life and are constantly chattering, whistling and chirping to each other and often shoulder to shoulder from the same perch.  

there is anabundance of Bald Eagles to photograph in June, July and August!

  That is my report for now.   It has snowed here  at my Colorado cabin. So it is time to  work  on  the wood pile.  It won’t belong  and  I will be back at the Home Ranch getting  our ski trails ready.  I will keep you posted on more stories from Alaska!  Happy Trails!! Capt. Mike

A spruce tree and fireweed

 Our Inside Passage voyages take us along mile after mile  of incredble shoreline backed by verdant green mountains and valleys.  This area is home to  towering Sitka spruce, Hemlock and Cedar trees.   Some reaching heights of  200 feet and 30 feet around.  It is such an incredible feeling to walks in the forest and  be in the company of these giants! Bald eagles fabricate  their huge nests high in these trees.  Always , the nests have an excellant view of the waters below.  Salmon and herring are their main diet during the summer.I hope you will come on a trip with us  next summer.  Happy Trails!   Capt. Mike

Glacier Bay National Park