During our sixth day on the Island Spirit through Alaska’s Inside Passage we slowly cruised from our anchorage in Hamilton Bay near Kake on the west coast of sheltered Kupreanof Island on the Frederick Sound to Baranof Island. We cruised into Chatham Strait into two bays on the east side of Baranof Island.
The strait has a greater profusion of sea otters this year than usual, Jeff, the captain of our ship, says. We saw many of them lying on their backs in the classic otter pose.
A Sea Otter in the Chatham Strait
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On Baranof Island we first explored Takatz Bay, where I kayaked for just the second time in my life. The kayak silently got me closer to the wildlife and birdlife than possible on a ship.
A Harbor Seal from the Kayak
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A Dozen Barrow's Goldeneyes
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A Female (left) and Male Barrow's Goldeneye
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Later in the day I went on a skiff ride to a fish hatchery in Takatz Bay. Each year 50 million salmon grow there.
Finally, I went on a walk up to Baranof Lake. On the return trip I walked along Warm Springs Bay. I saw and photographed a Harlequin Duck, my favorite shot of the day.
A Harlequin Duck at Warm Springs Bay
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Generally, the biggest surprise of the entire trip so far is the warmth and the sun. We continue to be blessed with warm temperatures, no rain, and many hours of full sun on our cruise through the far north.
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