Kenai Fjord Tour – Wildlife

 

above: Humpback Whale

I had a predominately “city” upbringing and the only wild animal encounters I had were with stray dogs, various roadkill and a few pesky squirrels. So, seeing wild animals in their natural habitat is really exciting to me, especially marine mammals. The wildlife viewing aspect of the Kenai Fjord boat tour was quite extensive and included sea birds, marine mammals, and other aquatic life like jellyfish and starfish.

 

 

left: Cormorants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 right: Horned Puffin

 

 

 

 

Captain Chris was in radio contact with other boats in the area and if there was a significant sighting like a whale breeching, he would be notified and we would race to the spot. Creatures like Dall’s Porpoises found us and would “toy” with the bow of the boat. Other creatures had more permanent and predictable locations like a nesting areas for Loons and a hang out rock for Stellar Sea Lions.

 

left: Dall’s Porpoise

 

 

 

 

 

right: Sea Otter

 

 

 

 

 

 

On our way to and from the Aialik Glacier, we made stops regularly to view whatever was in the area. Since the Fjords are deeply carved, the edge of an island would drop straight down for hundreds of feet so the Captain could pull the boat right up to the rocks for closer inspection. He also used his sonar for locating sea life and happened upon a smack of jellyfish, “thousands and thousands and thousands of them” according to him. The turquoise water literally turned white from the density of the animals.

Some areas like an island that is a breeding ground for Stellar Sea Lions is off limits to everyone so we had to view them in other places.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

above and right: Stellar Sea Lions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

left: Harbor Seal 

 

 

 

 

right: Common Murre

 

 

 

 

left: Tufted Puffin

 

 

 

 

 

 

right: Lion’s Mane Jellyfish 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Captain pulled up so close to the rocks we were able to see starfish clinging to them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By the end of the trip, we had seen 5 Humpback whales including two that put on a show for us by breeching which really made the day.

 

“The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” Jacques Yves Cousteau 

P.S. I will try to put some more pics in the photo gallery when I get the oppportunity