I have to say that today was in the top ten of amazing days. The day began with breaching whales within site of the lodge so we took a detour to photograph them. Talk about a humbling experience to see a creature as large as a Humpback Whale coming out of the water. What power.
After the excitement died down and the whales were simply spouting we headed towards our original destination in the bay. We saw four bears as we arrived so we gathered our gear together and jumped off the boat. Our first experience with the bears was a pair sparring in close range. I have been hoping for a moment like this the last ten days.
The action was curtailed when the biggest, baddest bear on the flats arrived and sat down as if to say, this is my place.
During breaks in the bear action we turned our lenses to an eagles nest right above us. I liked the high key look with the clouds in the background.
The bears are so funny. One moment they are eating voraciously and the next they lay down and appear to fall fast asleep.
This area is to tidal dependent on where you can go and when so once the tides had lowered enough to pass around a couple of coves we packed up our gear and went on a boat ride to see what we could find. Our first stop was at a rock where numerous Harbor Seals had hauled out of the water. I loved this tender moment between a baby and it’s mother.
Our final stop was at the Kittiwake rock. It was incredible to see the progress in the nest building and had begun to mate. I loved the mottled blue sky with clouds as a backdrop and concentrated on capturing a vertical as the Kittiwakes flew by.
I have to say that this has been a most amazing experience and by far the best in all my years of coming. I can hardly wait to see what tomorrow will bring.
Images captured with Nikon D3X, D3, AF-S 600mm, AF-S 70-300mm VR on a lexar Digital CF cards
