Saturday, July 16, 2011

Kenai Fjords National Park

From Kenai Fjords National Park
Our long awaited trip to Kenai Fjords National Park is just underway, and before leaving Resurrection Bay, we go right by these cute Sea Otters, seemingly enjoying life to the fullest.

From Kenai Fjords National Park
From Kenai Fjords National Park
From Kenai Fjords National Park
We sail right by the city RV park and get a great view of Seward.

From Kenai Fjords National Park
From Kenai Fjords National Park
From Kenai Fjords National Park
As soon as we get out of Resurrection Bay, we enter the Kenai Fjords NP and almost the first thing we see is this tide water glacier.

From Kenai Fjords National Park
Next up - How about some Hump Back whales? 3 or 4, two adults and a calf, I think, are visible. We didn't see any breaching, but a little fin slapping. I might add we have new respect for wild animal photographers capturing great pictures of moving animals from a moving boat, with very extreme light conditions. We're doing the best we can.

From Kenai Fjords National Park
From Kenai Fjords National Park
From Kenai Fjords National Park
Common Murres line up as though posing for their pictures. At least one species is cooperating!


From Kenai Fjords National Park
From Kenai Fjords National Park
From Kenai Fjords National Park
Tufted Puffins are beautiful to look it, fun to watch, and can put on quite a show without ever realizing it.

From Kenai Fjords National Park
From Kenai Fjords National Park
We get to come in close to the Aialik and Addison glaciers, which are side-by-side.

From Kenai Fjords National Park
From Kenai Fjords National Park
From Kenai Fjords National Park
From Kenai Fjords National Park
Yes, it's cold out here - burr!

From Kenai Fjords National Park
From Kenai Fjords National Park
From Kenai Fjords National Park
From Kenai Fjords National Park
Pulling back from these glaciers, we move on to see yet more wildlife and awesome scenery.

From Kenai Fjords National Park
From Kenai Fjords National Park
From Kenai Fjords National Park
From Kenai Fjords National Park
From Kenai Fjords National Park
Next we come to favorite bird hangouts. Good for breeding, feeding and raising families. Quite crowded, but there must be protection in numbers. The birds don't seem to mind.

From Kenai Fjords National Park
From Kenai Fjords National Park
From Kenai Fjords National Park
From Kenai Fjords National Park
Next up: The Steller Sea lions.

From Kenai Fjords National Park
From Kenai Fjords National Park
From Kenai Fjords National Park
More birds, rocks and sea lions!

From Kenai Fjords National Park
From Kenai Fjords National Park
From Kenai Fjords National Park
Our guided tour is led by Ranger Amber.

From Kenai Fjords National Park
From Kenai Fjords National Park
From Kenai Fjords National Park
More scenery, whales and 3 hole rock.

From Kenai Fjords National Park
From Kenai Fjords National Park
From Kenai Fjords National Park
From Kenai Fjords National Park
From Kenai Fjords National Park
From Kenai Fjords National Park
From Kenai Fjords National Park
From Kenai Fjords National Park
Time for the trip home. Our 7 1/2 hour cruise is drawing to a close, but the scenery makes it all worth it not to mention the sea life! Highly recommended.

From Kenai Fjords National Park
From Kenai Fjords National Park
From Kenai Fjords National Park

For further information: Kenai Fjords National Park

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