When they won’t come to you.

You go to them. That is what we did. It all started with lunch and my good friend Lisa, (she does amazing wildlife photography trips to Alaska) plus a question about bears. I went with Lisa in 2018 (when I was more mobile) to Lake Clark National Park Chinitna Bay. Roy and I both knew that was a no-go this trip. So, what to do? Airplane to boat, to bear viewing from boat, back to airplane. My first thought was how is this going to work, I’m in a boat they are on shore (not much chance for action) I was thinking. Well, I am so glad I was wrong. I am getting ahead of myself.

This is exactly what we did with Alaska West Air. The staff there were able to help get us on the plane and then off the plane into the boat.

My only experience flying in Alaska had been in very tiny planes so you can imagine my surprise when I saw a nine-seater. Ok it wasn’t super spacious I did however have a window and some breathing room. I don’t like to fly this is one time Roy told me all I had to do was breathe and look out the window and that is what I did.

Now that we are on semi dry land, (ok a wooden dock with some steps) it was time to get in. It was cool they brought the boat to us as the others who were also getting in boats had to walk the plank. This is not only a bear viewing area it is also a great salmon fishing area.

Wolverine Creek/Redoubt Bay is on Big River Lakes, here is a description of the area we were at. We head directly to the base of Wolverine Creek and experienced a small version of combat fishing. I mean there had to be at least ten skiffs in this small area most were fishing. I caught some of their lines in my pictures which was a little annoying, but I was seeing bear. That made it OK.

It took a few minutes to navigate around the boats, but our guide Evan had us tucked into a nice cozy spot. Here, we could see the water and the shore. The first bear was trying and trying to grab a fish but to no avail, lots of splashing and coming up empty. He was trying to compete with the salmon fishers (they were winning)

He then decides to come over to our side of the creek. Which was a win for both of us he got some good fish, and I got some good photos. He did also have some fun blowing bubbles.

Maybe this was done to clear the palate, between morsels

There was another bear who stayed on shore and was intent on turning over every rock on the beach. He did get in the water once but there were no fireworks, the bear that was in the water was way too involved in his food.

The fireworks occurred when mama bear number one came on the scene. How to clear out a beach. She made short work of the land lover as all it took was a growl from behind the bushes and he was gone. The waterlogged bear took a few more antics to get him to go. This sow had 3 cubs that were just adorable in how they hung around mom.

I also saw a Common Merganser with some of her ducklings. I was hoping that they would catch a ride. They usually get a quick taxi ride on mom’s back. I did get to see that later though, so it wasn’t to disappoint.

The boat decided to head to a different part of the lake to see the actual place where the salmon spawn. I was like ok let’s go. I am glad we left because the journey over to the spawning grounds was very cold and foggy the reason for this is crossing the glacier melt it is cold coming right off the glacier. It was windy, damp, foggy, and spooky.

All you can’t see

Once across to the fresh water the temperature warmed and so did the water. Side note here I did taste the glacier run off and it was like eating a pile of rock salt. The fresh water I did not taste as I did not want to reach in and touch some salmon. There were thousands of them here it was like watching the whole lake move. A picture could not capture the intensity of the end of one life cycle and the start of another.

Stopping at a waterfall was a chance to see freshwater mix with the glacier slit and watch clear blue water turn to a brackish grey.

We journey back to the bears although our vantage point was not as good as the first time there. I was still able to see a few bears. Mom and her three bears were still there but left shortly after our arrival. The next set of bears to come was a sow and two cubs. They were actually too hard to photograph so we moved on to Hidden Lake but ran across a distraction called a bear on an island. The cool thing was it was us and another boat for about 5 minutes.

Hidden Lake was the best place to end the day because it was so peaceful and quiet except for the sound of my voice in this video.

peace

From here it was back to the plane and the return trip home. I told you I am not fond of planes, so the return trip was in a smaller beaver plane. I almost wanted to say I’ll stay here. I am glad I did not because flying over the glacier was awe inspiring. Pictures do not do it justice. We were able to see deep into some of the cracks in the glacier. It is a blue color that does not have a description. Then the lake was so blue black you could get lost just looking at it.

I will be posting a slide show of the trip in a separate post.

This bear viewing trip was much better than expected for me. I went in thinking it was going to be a disappointment because I wasn’t standing on land. Like everything I’ve had to adjust. This however is an adjustment I would do again. How else could you get pictures like these.

Plus, I don’t have to be the fastest runner just have a larger and quicker motor than everyone else.

Tracking Eagles

The Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord Chapel

First part of the day we decided to be lazy I caught up on my blog and edited some pictures, Roy slept. After lunch we decide to get moving and photograph the Russian Orthodox Church in Ninilchik, the lighting was ok for landscape/ building photography.

The cemetery at the church used to be a little less overgrown than we discovered it to be. There is also a Veterans cemetery next to the original one in much better condition. I was disappointed, but it also gave me a chance to explore the front of the church and the cemetery from the front.

The church overlooks the small village of Ninilchik AK. The village is small and old but with good bones. I have enjoyed the beach and it is one you can still drive out on. We haven’t done that yet. I am stressing the word YET. The town is also home to a small fleet of fishing vessels. One of the days we were down by the beach they were in harbor.

The beach here has an advantage over Deep Creek and Anchor Point as there is a dock where the vessels can tie off. On one of our recent visits to the beach we saw a salmon tender. These vessels collect the fish so the fleet can continue to fish.

We have enjoyed parking on the road so I can take pictures from it. There have not been very many eagles down at this end of the beach but that is still good. I was able to photograph some of the few breakers I’ve seen.

The beach here does have some shallow rocks near shore, so there are some danger signs.

The road that runs on the other side of the harbor has a turn out right before you head down the road. It is below the bluff that the church sits on so the opportunity to practice tracking eagles with my camera was ample.

Before we left Ninilchik I happened upon this building I am thinking that it hasn’t been active in a long time, or it has a well-hidden path to the entrance.

When tracking eagles, we always have to stop at Deep Creek which used to be a favorite spot for me. At the top of the road down towards the beach is a charter fishing service J&J Smart Charters and Deep Creek View Campground RV Park. They go out and fish for halibut. When the boat returns the crew hangs the catch for the day up so pictures can be gotten of the fish. So far this was the first time this trip that we were able to capture it as it was happening.

There is going to be a rodeo right down the road on July 2nd & 3rd at the Kenai Peninsula State fairgrounds. I am looking forward to the beach horse race earlier in the day. This is all being sponsored by the Peninsula Horseman’s Association. I do plan on concessions food on the 2nd.

I can’t believe that we have been in one place with the trailer for over a week. I do know there is so much more to explore. I have to run now and get to exploring.

On Ship Antics … or

Let’s see if she floats. Not really, but, let’s just say that’s my story. I promise I will come back to this. I did not think I would enjoy my trip on the ferry because of my likelyhood of getting sea sick. That is what dramamine is for. I am having a blast.

This has been a great cruise for pictures lots of landscapes, snow, orcas, and sea otter logs. (you’ve seen these, the ones that masquerade as animals but are really floating logs.) I have missed capturing on my camera a few eagles and some whales. When we were in dock today at Yakatut, Alaska, here I am just yaking away (yes, I said that) right overhead a Bald Eagle and a crow was there. At least people did call my attention to it. No picture though, camera operater was too busy. I did however, get my first clear shot of a golden eagle. Earlier in the day I was able to get a blurry golden eagle. Both of these occured in Juneau. Now that I finally have a photo one, it’s time to work on getting them closer. I’ve also learned things about the lens I brought on board, 28mm – 300mm Tamron. I just might want to take my 150mm – 600mm Tamron on the return trip.

This cruise has been great. It is truly refreshing to get to know people who are willing to help you navigate when you are in a motorized chair. They are also fun and easy to laugh with when you do something silly like navigating the narrows of the cafe tables. The tables are non-movable and the chairs are attached and rotate. So one evening I come into the cafe from outside, (this is the only door that has a ramp on both sides of the door that I’ve found). Two couples I’ve met and have helped me get a lot done were at a table, so I invited myself to join them. We got talking about my pictures because the camera is always around my neck. The challenge was getting to them in the chair. There is more then one way to skin a cat.

The back story begins the night before with a stretch of water called the narrows. This area is before Juneau and after Ketchican, we also travelled it in the dark or dusk as we are in Alaska. It is called the Narrows because you have land on either side and a small channel to navigate through. I did not stay up to see it. The captin has to move in a zig-zag pattern to get through. Just like me and the chairs. So after talking for awile it was time to go, I tried to get out another way. Not happening, back through the narrows I went. Unfortunately, no one decided to film it for Tik-Tok or You Tube so you have to trust me … I looked cute.

Those were the antics. Now onto why someone would want to see if I floated or not. ‘I’m sweet and innocent’. Just ask anyone who doesn’t know me. I had a question, so I rode around and did not have far to go until I found someone to ask. We were getting close to Ketchikan (which is a crew change port). I asked this crew lady a question about Whittier and she said she would not be there, that she was getting off duty. I looked at her with my normal smirk and said ‘Didn’t they tell you your replacement isn’t coming?’ I cursed her. Two hours later she found me and playfully said that I jinxed her. That started an awesome banter with a few comments back and forth that might include me floating. In all truthfulness, it was all in fun and she is cool. But, sometimes I can call them. I was just joking though.

On a side note here, I’ve met some amazing people. One couple is travelling for the summer, but staying at hotels and Air BnBs. Another couple have come up here to build their off the grid home. I joked with them that they were bringing everything up but the kitchen sink. Turns out they do have a small bucket labelled kitchen sink, in the trailer they are bringing up. A cool guy who basically kept showing up every place with a warm happy attitude and two dogs in the car who did not like the deck calls to do it’s duty. I think his dogs were not happy. He is coming up to fish and enjoy his property. The offer of a home cooked meal will be acted upon because he lives where we will be camping for a month.

I have to say, I hope our return trip in September is just as fun.