George Island/Inian Islands/Icy Strait
We awoke at a quiet anchorage between lush green islets that sheltered us from Cross Sound and the open Pacific Ocean. George Island was our hiking destination for the morning. The low tide was a minus 2.5 feet at 0925, and many people were fascinated by the intertidal creatures exposed during this time. We discovered that many marine invertebrate phyla were represented while exploring this other-worldly realm - sea stars, worms, bryozoans, anemones, mollusks, and crustaceans, among others.
Some people chose to tromp around this small island that still has remains from when U.S. military personnel were stationed here during WWII. A narrow, undulating trail took us to a 6 inch Mark X gun emplacement, which was salvaged from a WWI vessel. It was brought to this strategic position near the Pacific Ocean in case of emergency, but was never employed. We found numerous banana slugs, sporting camouflage coloration, and heard various bird songs along the way. Faults shear this island, juxtaposing granitic and metamorphic rocks.
Our adventure continued this afternoon when we took Zodiac tours in the Inian Islands. Steller sea lions were the main focus as we maneuvered through the swirling currents of a strong flood tide, which brought salmon in with it. After surviving the rigors and dangers of the ocean, including the gauntlet of commercial fishing boats, these salmon were returning to their natal streams to spawn and nourish the forest ecosystem, only to be thwarted in their final days by sea lions. We watched the sea lions toss, tear and swallow chunks for fatty high protein meals. Groups of them seemed curious about the Zodiacs, swimming alongside our stable inflatables and performing antics to our delight. A few sea otters and harbor seals were spied amongst the kelp beds.
We backtracked to the east in Icy Strait, coming upon quite a few humpback whales near Lemesurier Island. Their surface activities entertained us until it was time to move on toward the next day’s destination.
We awoke at a quiet anchorage between lush green islets that sheltered us from Cross Sound and the open Pacific Ocean. George Island was our hiking destination for the morning. The low tide was a minus 2.5 feet at 0925, and many people were fascinated by the intertidal creatures exposed during this time. We discovered that many marine invertebrate phyla were represented while exploring this other-worldly realm - sea stars, worms, bryozoans, anemones, mollusks, and crustaceans, among others.
Some people chose to tromp around this small island that still has remains from when U.S. military personnel were stationed here during WWII. A narrow, undulating trail took us to a 6 inch Mark X gun emplacement, which was salvaged from a WWI vessel. It was brought to this strategic position near the Pacific Ocean in case of emergency, but was never employed. We found numerous banana slugs, sporting camouflage coloration, and heard various bird songs along the way. Faults shear this island, juxtaposing granitic and metamorphic rocks.
Our adventure continued this afternoon when we took Zodiac tours in the Inian Islands. Steller sea lions were the main focus as we maneuvered through the swirling currents of a strong flood tide, which brought salmon in with it. After surviving the rigors and dangers of the ocean, including the gauntlet of commercial fishing boats, these salmon were returning to their natal streams to spawn and nourish the forest ecosystem, only to be thwarted in their final days by sea lions. We watched the sea lions toss, tear and swallow chunks for fatty high protein meals. Groups of them seemed curious about the Zodiacs, swimming alongside our stable inflatables and performing antics to our delight. A few sea otters and harbor seals were spied amongst the kelp beds.
We backtracked to the east in Icy Strait, coming upon quite a few humpback whales near Lemesurier Island. Their surface activities entertained us until it was time to move on toward the next day’s destination.
