Chatham Strait and Hanus Bay
Although nearly an hour past sunrise, the wake-up call at 5:45 seemed particularly early. We quickly learned why the ship had slowed to a halt. Humpback whales ply the waters of Chatham Strait for schooling fish such as herring and for krill during the summer months, and then return to Hawaiian waters for the winter. Today seven individuals repeatedly rose together towards the surface and exploded with mouths open to scoop up prey. This type of cooperative foraging is referred to as bubble-net feeding. We watched in awe as tons of blubbery bodies lunged in unison after their quarry. When they arched and dove for deeper dives, they displayed distinctive fluke patterns that ranged from dark and blotchy to nearly white, each one as unique as a fingerprint in a human. The Sea Lion’s hydrophone picked up feeding calls that increased in intensity as the moment approached for the whales to appear. As an added bonus, a number of Dall’s porpoises sped towards us. These stocky little creatures are among the fastest cetaceans, reaching speeds of over 30 miles per hour.
After an amazing experience whale watching, the ship continued towards our landing at Hanus Bay for hikes and kayaking. A presentation about salmon was a perfect introduction to our afternoon. Schools of fish swept past us in a sheltered saltwater lagoon. Farther inland, hikers discovered a pool choked with sockeye, chum, and pink salmon that milled in the crystal clear water. They will die soon after spawning, transferring all their nutrients back into the ecosystem. The salmon are an integral part of the coastal forests. They feed the eagles, the trees, aquatic invertebrates and the bears. As several groups of hikers returned to the landing, a brown bear strode into view and grabbed a fish before disappearing into the vegetation. What a thrill! Later it emerged again, and others had the chance to watch it fishing. Today was a day to experience the true wildness and abundance of Alaska, one of the few places on this planet where one can watch humpback whales, salmon, and brown bears all in a single day.
Although nearly an hour past sunrise, the wake-up call at 5:45 seemed particularly early. We quickly learned why the ship had slowed to a halt. Humpback whales ply the waters of Chatham Strait for schooling fish such as herring and for krill during the summer months, and then return to Hawaiian waters for the winter. Today seven individuals repeatedly rose together towards the surface and exploded with mouths open to scoop up prey. This type of cooperative foraging is referred to as bubble-net feeding. We watched in awe as tons of blubbery bodies lunged in unison after their quarry. When they arched and dove for deeper dives, they displayed distinctive fluke patterns that ranged from dark and blotchy to nearly white, each one as unique as a fingerprint in a human. The Sea Lion’s hydrophone picked up feeding calls that increased in intensity as the moment approached for the whales to appear. As an added bonus, a number of Dall’s porpoises sped towards us. These stocky little creatures are among the fastest cetaceans, reaching speeds of over 30 miles per hour.
After an amazing experience whale watching, the ship continued towards our landing at Hanus Bay for hikes and kayaking. A presentation about salmon was a perfect introduction to our afternoon. Schools of fish swept past us in a sheltered saltwater lagoon. Farther inland, hikers discovered a pool choked with sockeye, chum, and pink salmon that milled in the crystal clear water. They will die soon after spawning, transferring all their nutrients back into the ecosystem. The salmon are an integral part of the coastal forests. They feed the eagles, the trees, aquatic invertebrates and the bears. As several groups of hikers returned to the landing, a brown bear strode into view and grabbed a fish before disappearing into the vegetation. What a thrill! Later it emerged again, and others had the chance to watch it fishing. Today was a day to experience the true wildness and abundance of Alaska, one of the few places on this planet where one can watch humpback whales, salmon, and brown bears all in a single day.
