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Alaska Sea Adventures Spring Newsletter 2006
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Whale Watching Trips - 2006
Other Whale Watching Trips - 2007
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Winter is locked in and January witnesses the departure of a large number of humpback whales as they make their way to the calving and breeding waters of Hawaii. The departing whales leave behind their winged partners – huge flocks of long tailed ducks (old squaws) in their winter plumage, with whom the whales have been sharing feeding space – they both dive and feed on the tremendous concentrations of krill. 
As winter begins to give way to spring at the end of March, one of the first of a progression of regional life-sustaining spawning events begins to unfold. The annual spring run of ‘hooligan’ or eulachon, a type of smelt, begin entering a few of the mainland rivers including John Muir’s favorite, the Stikine River between Wrangell and Petersburg, Alaska. 
April/May is a time of re-awakening: Bears come out of hibernation. humpback whales begin their return to the waters of Southeast Alaska. Huge flocks of sand hill cranes migrate back. Beautiful shore birds arrive once again. The king salmon run marks the first of the annual summer salmon runs. Lengthening daylight make days longer and longer.
Harbor seals are pupping! Meanwhile, watch the bears forage on grasses & sedges along shorelines. Arctic terns mate and nest. Thrill, watch and listen to the humpback whales as they team up and “bubble-net feed” on schools of herring. Vibrant colors appear on shores as wild flowers bloom. Summer solstice arrives and it is light until 11PM!
The massive pink salmon return begins. Eagle chicks hatch and adult eagles hunt and return to the nests to feed the eaglets. The whales’ “bubble-net feeding” goes on as they continue to gorge on the herring (you can hear their satiated groans as they surface together). Bears eat. Berries ripen. Summer is a time of peace and plenty. Days still long.
By August, the Pink Salmon run peaks. Bears can be observed fishing for and feeding on salmon in rainforest watersheds. The tremendous krill concentrations reach the apex of abundance creating rich feeding opportunities for whales and sea birds. Kayak with whales as they dive deep and then appear on the surface. End-of-season berries ripen. Days still long.
Silver (Coho) Salmon runs peak. Bears feed on spawned salmon along island streams. Fall is in the air as hints of fall weather begin to appear. Days getting shorter.
Bird migrations are in full flight as thousands of birds cry out, circle, vector up and take flight. What a sight!
Attention whale aficionados: consider chartering the Alaska Adventurer and spend part of the holiday season with the whales! 
Copyright 1996-2007 Island Voyages, Inc. and Natures-Spirit Photography, reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is strictly prohibited and a violation of law. Alaska Sea Adventures operates under Special Use Permit from the USDA Forest Service, Tongass National Forest. |