Alaska 2007—Frederick Sound and The Brothers Islands

Frederick Sound, a body of water about 20 miles across southeast of Admiralty Island, means food for whales, seals and other marine life. In summer, fed by the long daylight hours and nutrients pouring in from nearby tidewater glaciers, the waters are thick with krill (small shrimp-like creatures) and fish in many sizes and forms. Hundreds of humpback whales make the long migration from Hawaii to feed here all summer. But aside  from the marine life, the area has a special magic. Waters are often glass-calm. The skyscapes can be just amazing.

 
 

Frederick Sound

Just north of Kupreanof Island, the waters are glass calm and the sky dreamy.

Frederick Sound

Another view of a calm summer evening.

  

The Brothers Islands

The Brothers are a series of small islands in the center of Frederick Sound. The larger islands are called West Brother and East Brother. Untouched by recent glaciations, the forests are deep, hushed, cathedral-like environments. Walking through the rainforest is like walking across a mattress because of the deep sphagnum moss.

The Brothers Islands

Another view of small islands in The Brothers.

  

juvenile Dall porpoise

Dall porpoises are fiendishly difficult to photograph, but this baby swam slowly and had to surface often for air.

Dall porpoise, unlike their more reclusive cousins, harbor porpoises, love to bow ride around boats. They swim very quickly, only surfacing for this quick "rooster tail."

  

Our captain, Rich, ferries passengers back to the Delphinus, anchored near Kake.

More than a mouthful. A black bear hauls this huge chum salmon into the brush for a sumptuous feast.