Tuesday, October 12, 2021

Homeward Bound with Company

Our return to Canada was heartfelt.  After presenting a negative Covid test, we cleared Canadian Customs in mid-August.  Our first anchorage was Verney Falls, a favorite which has a reversing water fall that attracts bears...but not this time.

Verney Falls at Dawn



The next day we had the most wonderful whale show ever...friendly and active.

 
We never approach whales but sometimes they approach us.  This one swam with the boat.




Rolled a few times flashing his fins...




Breaching


Preparing for a deep dive




And showed his pretty tail



We picked our next guests, Linda and Pete, up in Port McNeill.  The fish were few but this is a very nice lingcod.




A fashion show on the high seas!



Good Company


The monster Canadian fish believed to be a Sandpaper Skate.




Heron on a still day!




Olympia's welcome home sunset!
 






Thursday, July 8, 2021

Glacier Bay


A thousand miles north of Seattle in a world far, far away lies a national park larger than several states known as Glacier Bay.  Entry to the park is sharply restricted:  cruise ships are not allowed to anchor and only 25 personal watercraft are permitted in the park on any given day.  Reservations are required and the free permits are for a maximum of 7 days.  No exceptions.


Join us on this remarkable journey. 



Cousins Jodi and Jan


Tufted Puffins are found only mid Bay



Buffet for Grizzly who eat constantly and are omnivores.  

Eagles Everywhere

What's under this rock?  The hump on the grizzly back is partially the result of lifting rocks.

Lamplugh Glacier which is one of 7 terminal (ending in water) glaciers in the park.

Cocktails with 5000 year old ice

Mountain Goats are quite common on Gloomy Dome.

Sea Lion Haul Outs are a cacophony of territorial roars that sound rather like lions



Margerie Glacier is the most visited glacier in Glacier Bay.  It is one of several glaciers that has retreated since 1750 when advancing ice forced the Tlingit from their homeland.  Margerie Glacier is approximately a mile wide and 350 feet tall.

Lone Bull Sealion.  They are territorial and weigh up to 2200 pounds and swim 13 mph .

So much for Captain Doug to photograph.  Kept him busy.

Not everyone arrives in a slow boat.  This crew flew in by float plane to meet a catamaran called "Moon Doggie"
.
Sea birds everywhere!

Vista from Blue Mouse Anchorage.  However did it get its name?


Whale of a Tail.  Whales flash their tails when they dive deep

Whales often feed in groups.  Typically they just cruise along but on my bucket list is to see a bubble feed.