Kenai Fjords Tour

June 20 we took a tour on the Kenai Fjords out of Seward, AK.  We chose the 8.5 hr National Park Tour with dinner at Fox Island (Prime Rib and Salmon).  Captain Dan and his crew were excellent. Dan's knowledge of the area and its wildlife made it a great trip.  He always had a story to tell that kept your interest.  We saw just about every Mammal, Whale, Bird and Glacier calving their brochure advertised. Weather also cooperated with warm temperatures and Blue Skies!  The Kenai Fjords Tour boat had both inside and outside viewing, we witnessed a few other tour boats that did not have the outside decks.  Dan made sure everyone got to see by turning the boat where possible.  Just a reminder a Fjords is a Glacier that touches salt water and therefore all the Glaciers that surround Seward once touched the salt water but now most have receded and do not touch.  Warn you now there are many pictures, it was difficult selecting the perfect pictures.  

Departing the port.  

A Glacier inching its way down the mountain as we leave the port.

Views of Glaciers that are located on The Resurrection Peninsula

Tufted Puffin

Common Murre - deepest diving (640 ft) sea bird that can also fly.  

This tower was built during WWII to watch the Alaskan coast. 

Now we get to exciting events!


Orca or Killer Whale.   Not quite the National Graphic shot where the whale comes completely out of the water but still exciting to see.  

This is a sign the whale is coming to the surface

Diving

Look closely and you will see Mom and baby swimming together.  There is a complete family living in the area which includes Grandma to grand babies.  They stay together for life.

Humpback Whales - Tried to capture the complete cycle of surfacing to diving.

Like stated earlier weather was perfect! Looking South past the Aialik Cape and heading into the Bay.

Approaching Aialik Glacier

Icebergs floating!

The black section you see between the icebergs and glacier is the gravel the glacier is moving as it moves down the mountain.  

Remember 2/3 of its size is below the water.

Mass of Ice - tried to capture the colors

Glacier Calving!  This was a new term to us

Boom! A lot of Ice Cubes.  This was exciting to see and hear.

A seal looking for lunch by the iceberg

Kayaking to through the icebergs to see the glacier! 

Couple of sea otters floating on their backs!

Humpback whale diving

Tufted Puffins setting high

Common Murre nesting grounds.  They do build nests but lay the egg on the bare rock.  Both parents care for the young.

The Sea Lion

Think I will do some sun bathing.  The male can weigh a few thousand pounds.

Family.  Male sea lions fight to keep as many wives as possible.

Harbor Seal

Saw the family of Orca's swimming together as we came back toward port. 

Bald Eagle setting on the ledge watching for dinner!