October 24th, 2009
Stellar sealions enjoying the warm sunshine
Hi, it’s Capt. Mike for Whale Bay Charters. For several years I taught a college course about the marine mammals of Alaska. I pass on so much of what I taught to the guests on our Alaska nature voyages. Kids are really fascinated by the animals and learning about them! Beside the graceful Humpback whales ,two other marine mammal species are Stellar Sealions and Sea Otters. Each species picks its habitat and area best suited for its survival. On a barren rock island near the outer coast, several hundred Stellar Sealions have taken up residence. This called a haul out. The island is a perfect place to rest,socialize, and refuge fron the coastal storms. The currents flush passed the island filled with salmon migrating to their spawning streams in the Inside Passage. This is a very interesting and special place to see, hear and smell. You will be captivated by these huge creatures! The Sea Otters have chosen a much diffferent habitat. They prefer shallower and calmer waters ,with long fronned bull kelp beds close by . The shallow waters provide them with a diet of Dungeness crabs, clams, sea urchins and star fish. While the kelp beds calm the rough seas , provide a place to raise their pups and are a good environment for their food source. The Sea Otter population is on a steady increase. However, in some areas, the Stellar sealions are in rapid decline. I will write again soon with more interesting information about Alaska’s Humpback whales. Stellar Sealiions, Sea Otters and the other marine mammals we meet on our nature voyages. So long for now! Capt. Mike
Tags: Alaska Inside Passage, Alaska marine mammals, Alaska nature charters, Dungeness crabs, Humpback whales, learning about nature, Sea Otters, Stellar Sealiions
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October 6th, 2009
In oceans around the world humpback whales feed together. Only in Alaska do they bubble net and lunge feed together!
We will spend hours watching this unique Humpback whale feeding behavior.
There are wonderful photography opportunities aboard the charter boat Exodus
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October 2nd, 2009
Hi, this is Capt. Mike from the Alaska nature charter boat “Exodus”. Over the next few months, I want to tell you about some of the fun and interesting happenings that we experienced on our voyages this summer in Southeast Alaska.
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
Tags: Bald Eagles, birds, Humpback whales, IcyStraitPoint, Point Adolphus, Salmon, whale photography
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September 29th, 2009
My name is Mike Braal and I am the Captain of the motor vessel Exodus a boat for charter in Alaska . We specialize in 5 to 7 days nature and wildlife voyages. While living aboard the Exodus , we have many intimate moments with the incredible wildlife and scenery of Southeast Alaska.
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
Tags: Bald Eagles, Inside Passage
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