Juneau (Harv and Marv)

Whale watching in Juneau is a family tradition.  Enough of one that when we got to Auk Point to set out on our adventure we recognized our Captain as the same person who took us out the last visit.  With clearing skies through the morning the Mendenhall Glacier was easy to find.

There were two pods of Orcas wandering nearby taking their young out for a swim and feeding.  The young Orcas show the traditional markings except their spots aren't fully white yet.  They are yellow.

Orcas like to make themselves scarce.  Liz told us she sees them about every 10 days.  Shortly after that we visited an old friend whom we first met on our first whale watch.  Flame is back from Maui again this summer to feed in the waters around Juneau.  She didn't have a baby with her.

She uses a predictable pattern.  She takes several breaths on the surface, usually about 5, and after the 5th blow you get the big arch of the back and the fluke.  After that she is below for 5 or 6 minutes.  There aren't as many whales around Juneau this summer.  No one is sure why.  We did not see any bubble net feeding this trip.

These Stellar Seals are grateful for the placement of this buoy.  They enjoy spending most of the morning and afternoon on it.  Back in the harbor area an eagle family is raising two eaglets this summer.  Dad keeps watch in a nearby pine while mom is tending to the nest.

Tomorrow we reunite with a pilot who took us on two previous trips into the fjords around Ketchikan.