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  1. USA Nature Photography Travels
  2. 2017 Summer Alaska North to South Safari

Cruising Prince William Sound

After overnighting in Anchorage, we drove to Whittier and boarded the 65 ft. classic yacht M/V Discovery for three days’ cruising on Prince William Sound. Wonderful scenery, calm waters, and many remote areas to explore. The first afternoon we hiked on Culross Island to the site of an abandoned gold mine. On the second day we kayaked around a waterfall in Cascade Bay, the largest waterfall in Prince William Sound. Also visited an oyster farm and got to meet the local oysterman, who gave us a crash course in growing and harvesting oysters. A special treat was encountering a Tufted Puffin on some rocks; the bird flew just as we approached, but I managed to get a photo. Also saw Steller Sea Lions on the rocks in a couple of places, along with a few sea otter.
A special treat for the third day was visiting some of the larger glaciers on Prince William Sound in College Fjord. Many are named after Ivy League schools; the most spectacular is Harvard Glacier, which is actively calving. Most impressive to hear and see the gigantic pieces of ice breaking off and crashing into the water!! Later we moved to a less active area and kayaked around some glaciers that were not calving. The following morning we moved through Harriman Fjord and more glaciers! While we were cruising among the glaciers, we were also treated to the sight of seals and sea otters among the ice “bergy bits”. Some of the sea otters were carrying their pups on their chest, which they will do until the pup is about two months’ old. One mother was nursing her pup on an ice floe. Unlike other marine mammals, they don’t have a layer of blubber to stay warm, instead relying on extremely dense fur to keep the cold water away from their skin.
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  • Boat harbor at Whittier.

    Boat harbor at Whittier.

  • Hundreds of Black-legged Kittiwakes are nesting on the cliffs around this waterfall.

    Hundreds of Black-legged Kittiwakes are nesting on the cliffs around this waterfall.

  • A close-up of Black-legged Kittiwakes nesting on the cliffs.

    A close-up of Black-legged Kittiwakes nesting on the cliffs.

  • A mated pair of Black-legged Kittiwakes on nearby cliffs. Their nest was probably nearby.

    A mated pair of Black-legged Kittiwakes on nearby cliffs. Their nest was probably nearby.

  • The M/V Discovery, a 65 ft. custom yacht and our home for three days. Capacity is 12 guests and four crew.

    The M/V Discovery, a 65 ft. custom yacht and our home for three days. Capacity is 12 guests and four crew.

  • Our transportation to shore from the Discovery.

    Our transportation to shore from the Discovery.

  • Hiking to an abandoned gold mine on Culross Island.

    Hiking to an abandoned gold mine on Culross Island.

  • M/V Discovery riding at anchor while we hike ashore.

    M/V Discovery riding at anchor while we hike ashore.

  • Capt. Dean explaining some of the history of this abandoned gold mine.

    Capt. Dean explaining some of the history of this abandoned gold mine.

  • An overturned ore car from the gold mine.

    An overturned ore car from the gold mine.

  • Checking out the entrance to the gold mine. Note the rails for moving ore cars out of the mine.

    Checking out the entrance to the gold mine. Note the rails for moving ore cars out of the mine.

  • Capt. Dean leading the way back to the beach.

    Capt. Dean leading the way back to the beach.

  • Hiking along a pretty shoreline on Culross Island

    Hiking along a pretty shoreline on Culross Island

  • A nice waterfall empties into the bay on Culross Island.

    A nice waterfall empties into the bay on Culross Island.

  • Dall's Porpoise playing in our bow wave.

    Dall's Porpoise playing in our bow wave.

  • Dall's Porpoise playing in our bow wave.

    Dall's Porpoise playing in our bow wave.

  • A commercial fishing boat taking salmon with a purse seine.

    A commercial fishing boat taking salmon with a purse seine.

  • Commercial fishermen hauling in a big purse seine loaded with salmon.

    Commercial fishermen hauling in a big purse seine loaded with salmon.

  • Peaceful dinner anchorage  in Prince William Sound.

    Peaceful dinner anchorage in Prince William Sound.

  • The lower part of Cascade Falls (upper falls near the summit). This is the largest waterfall on Prince William Sound.

    The lower part of Cascade Falls (upper falls near the summit). This is the largest waterfall on Prince William Sound.

  • Untitled photo
  • Launching kayaks from M/V Discovery

    Launching kayaks from M/V Discovery

  • We are kayaking in front of Cascade Falls (close enough to get some spray).

    We are kayaking in front of Cascade Falls (close enough to get some spray).

  • Paula and I enjoying our kayaking.

    Paula and I enjoying our kayaking.

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