Eastern Utah
EMAIL ME AT: mgypsy97 at aol dot com

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Kenai Fjord

We started out with outdoor seating on the boat but soon looked for seats out of the wind.  The boat maneuvered away from the dock and soon we were in open water.  Here is the a shot of all the boats in the harbor, and the wake from the stern once we broke free.  (Remember to click on a photo to enlarge)















I apologize for all the heads, hats, arms, cameras, and people in the photos.  I wasn't quick enough to get my shots when the view was clear, and there were always people in the way.

The next few are some that I'm including because of all the birds.



















There are some beautiful grottoes in the rocks, which look better when the photo is enlarged.  Also, I think I caught a photo of a humpback whale that had just dived, with only the fluke visible.  My eyes aren't good enough to pick it up (even when enlarged).   There were 3 orcas diving alongside our boat but they were too quick for me to catch on film  I think that was the animal I most loved seeing, and the picture will forever be in my memory!





Some of the wildlife that I saw and identified:  Puffin, Cormorant, Kittiwake, Steller seal, Mountain goat, Humpback whale, Bald Eagles, and Orcas.  I'm sure there were many other birds, but I was often outside looking at them rather than writing down their names.  Why didn't I write down the names as I was looking?  I can't even walk and chew gum at the same time!












The glacier is spectacular.  A mile across and over 700 acres of ice - can't remember how thick it is.  The water as we got closer became slushy ice, and I couldn't stay out on deck very long because it was so cold.




And the wake of the boat as we were returning to port.  

I missed these photos when I was adding the others.  





One of the passengers showed me a photo he took of the second scene above, and it was stunning - I think he could easily have it published.  He was so proud of it I thought he was going to burst.

After spending a few minutes in the souvenir shop Joe, his two girls and I went on back to the duplex.  It was quite a while before the others showed up.  Evidently their fishing boat was in some of the same waters we traveled in, but Sarah got seasick.  She managed to hook a big salmon before getting sick though.  We all went to a very nice restaurant in Seward that evening.  Most of the restaurants had waiting lists of half hour or more, which isn't fun when children are present.  We finally went into a place that could seat us right away and I think it couldn't have been a better choice.  The food was excellent and the service was the best!

10 comments:

  1. Thanks for the great photos. They remind me of the trip I took there about 8 years ago loved it!!

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    1. I'm glad to have brought it back to mind for you. I don't think there is any way you can accurately say how beautiful Alaska is - you just need to go there. I'm still blown away by it.

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  2. You did a fantastic job with taking pictures. I love the color of the water which really screams cold. All the pictures are great. You certainly had a great trip

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    1. Thank you very much, Jo. I tried with what I had and fell far short of what I wanted to photograph. Too many people around. You described the water perfectly - COLD!

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  3. Great pictures! Sure makes me want to go back:)

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  4. Not sure how I missed this but when I went to your post today and saw the apology for too many pictures – HA! – I knew I’d missed something. How wonderful to have seen the whales. They are such amazing majestic creatures. Wow your list of animals! I’d love to see puffins up close and your seal pictures were great. The glaciers are just magnificent. So sad that we STILL are not doing everything we can to stop or set back global warming to save them. What a trip Gypsy! And to take it with your family is even better. I thought all the pictures were great but then I would, wouldn’t I?

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    1. I knew I would find Alaska interesting and different from anywhere I've been, but didn't expect the beauty and peacefulness I experienced. It's a whole different world!

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  5. I am like Sherry, saw your apology for too many pictures and knew I had missed a post.

    The views and the wildlife are stunning. Since I do not think I will ever make it there, your pictures give me a glimpse of the majestic paradise that it is. Thank you.

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    1. Just think how much more beautiful Alaska would be with a decent camera and good eyes! I've never seen anything like it!

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