Cruising and Viewing, having a Whale of a time !

We had another lazy start today, and packed up ready to leave our campsite by 10-30 a.m., having had a final view out onto the sea and of our campsite and drove to Seward for our wildlife spotting cruise on the MV ‘Star of the Northwest’ http://www.millerslandingak.com/tours_mmAr.htm  on the 12 noon departure…looking forward to seeing lots of sea creatures, and ,hopefully a whale ,or two !

We set off on our cruise, with the added commentary from a National Park Ranger, pointing out sights and animals as we cruised out into Resurrection Bay, Caines head,through the Barwell Islands, into the Gulf of Alaska, returning via the Eldorada narrows, to Seward.. and whilst we were cruising we saw lots of colourful jellyfish, just below is in the water and plenty of Bald Eagles sat in the trees along the Fiord.  Seals basking on the rocks ,Kittiwakes, Dalls porpoises,horned puffins,sea otters,loads of others  and then, the highlight, as we got out to the Gulf of Alaska a Minke Whale, which surfaced several times some distance from us, and then promptly dived, not to be seen again ! On our way back in we were joined by some Harbour porpoises, who swam alongside the ship, riding the ‘pressure wave’ from the bow, brilliant – a great cruise, and no sea sickness, or bears to be seen !

We were collected by Ryan at the dockside and then drove some hours to Soldotna http://www.ci.soldotna.ak.us/ for a quick meal, and bed..for another early start the next day

Goodnight !