Where's Liz? Kenai Fjords National Park

[Liz]

Our most excellent glacier and wildlife tour.

http://wheresliz-2012.blogspot.com/2012/07/kenai-fjords-national-park.html

[Redwahine]

Great pictures. What an awesome tour.

[kdmac]

I sure hope you all are thouroughly enjoying all that Alaska has to offer and you are all doing such a great job at seeing so much of it while you are there.

My father was a skipper all my life on the ocean so it is my childhood "backyard". I hope you don't mind my offering a little info that you may, or may not, already know. When the whales breech, which they do everyday, it is to knock off the buildup of barnacles and other parasitic critters. If they didn't breech to remove the buildup in no time at all they would be unable to function. They slap their fins and smash their bodies with as much impact as they can muster to really clean them off. The babies will swim under mom's "armpit" in a swirling movement to knock off its buildup untill they are heavy and large enough.

When you see orcas and porpoises feeding it is interesting as the porpoise and the birds will be interested in whichever bait fish are schooled, such as herring, candle fish, sardines, anchovies but the Orca are diving to get deep so as to shoot up and attack salmon that are under the bait fish feeding on them. You can notice how the Orca goes down for quite a while to dive and shoot up at "surprise" speed to get the salmon (either successfully in its mouth or ram it to kill it then circle back to get it0. Often times you will see the Orca toss a salmon or at least see it with it in its mouth. So, basically layers of "feeding" are going on and not eveyone is there for the bait fish.

You may have noticed the "smoothed" rock that the sea lions frequent as favorite day sleeping areas that they have used for millenia, many thousands of years of sea lions using the area causes the rocks to have smoothed. The sea lions hunt at night and will go out for miles to hunt but sleep in the same places each day as they frequent the locales that serve their seasonal purpose.

It is my favorite thing to be tuned into the wild things as I witness them doing the same patterns they've always done since the beginning of time and I find it so impressive and calming and unalterd from the way God planned it and set it into motion.

[rvgrammy1953]

What a great tour, Liz....thank you!!!!

[Dawn309]

Great pics. Loved the narrative. Hopefully someday I will make the trip to Alaska. So much to see and do. Thanks for taking us along.

KD, I liked the further explanation too.

[Redetotry]

Great trip thank you Liz! I had no idea the Dalls could swim so fast! Loved the Puffins. Guess all that bracing fresh air was too much for Birdie and Tina and made them sleepy, unless of course they were out partying too late the night before

Also liked the interesting notes added by KD sure would have never thought about the layers of fish feeding.

[Travelinana]

Great trip thank you Liz! I had no idea the Dalls could swim so fast! Loved the Puffins. Guess all that bracing fresh air was too much for Birdie and Tina and made them sleepy, unless of course they were out partying too late the night before
Also liked the interesting notes added by KD sure would have never thought about the layers of fish feeding.

Ditto on BJ's comment and KD's interesting explanation. I seem to remember those two snoozing another time...does Liz need to keep a tighter rein? This Alaskan adventure is turning into an educational one as well for all of us.

[Liz]

.

My father was a skipper all my life on the ocean so it is my childhood "backyard". I hope you don't mind my offering a little info that you may, or may not, already know. When the whales breech, which they do everyday, it is to knock off the buildup of barnacles and other parasitic critters. If they didn't breech to remove the buildup in no time at all they would be unable to function. They slap their fins and smash their bodies with as much impact as they can muster to really clean them off. The babies will swim under mom's "armpit" in a swirling movement to knock off its buildup untill they are heavy and large enough.

.

Thank you, Kathy for all that information. I will watch with new eyes next time I see that phenomenon.

[Travelinana]

KD, Now, we know you are keeping up with the forum so let us hear from you more..Ok? Also, how about some pictures of your latest Art. Why not include all of them for the girls who are new.

[Readytogo]

Great trip! Can;t believe people are wearing jackets somewhere. Im off to get chlorine for the pool!

[BirdbyBird]

....some of us know that Liz also experienced an "eye resting moment" on board the boat...but our fingers were still defrosting from staying out on the top deck and no camera was attempted....

[sharon]

Great pix as usual, Liz! And KD, thanks so much for your explanation as to what's going on. So much more interesting when you know the "why" of the pictures...or when you're lucky enough to see it in person. I, also, miss your pictures. You bring such life to them.

[Echo]

Awesome pics Liz!! So want to go to Alaska and check it all out!!! ~sigh~

[snowball]

really enjoyed your tour!!! it was so neat to see all the sea life and then Kathy's telling us a bit more was really nice
thanks for the pictures they were great
sheila

[Nasoosie]

Thanks again, Liz! I love that shot of you and Ashley in front of that massive glacier!

Also thanks to KD for the fishing/whaling lesson! What an exciting young life you must have had out on that beautiful blue plain!