ALASKA: Frederick Sound

Before the wedding ceremonies could take place, we still had a tour to complete… so I will continue with the second day on the boat — crossing Frederick Sound.

Arctic Terns were everywhere around Baird’s Glacier, unfortunately the tide was nearly 2 ft. minus which made it impossible for us to safely land the skiff to do our planned hike. However, there are so many options within Alaska’s Inside Passage, we quickly rerouted our trip and headed across the Sound toward the Native village of Kake.

It rained all day as we travelled, so our choice was a good one… and we still saw a lot. Several groups of Humpback Whales were feeding on the abundant krill. We witnessed a few distant breaches and many close flukes and blows.

Marbled Murrelets dove or flew as we passed. They are numerous here even though further south they have been declining due to habitat destruction–the loss of the ancient trees in which nest.

After a few unproductive stops for fishing, we arrived in the harbor off Kake’s shore and anchored for the night.

The clouds opened enough for me to witness the full moon rising over the bay. Everyone else had long since gone to sleep and it was peaceful out on the deck of the boat with just the sounds of the water lapping against the hull and a few gulls feeding in the moonlight…

photos and text Kevin Loughlin