Nagai Island Nikita Shumagin, a crew member on Bering's voyage that discovered Alaska, was the first of many to die of scurvy on the long way back to Russia. He was buried on this island, giving the Shumagin Islands their name.
The weather in SW Alaska has been stormier than average. My boss Mark and his wife Bree, a whale biologist for University of Alaska Fairbanks, flew into Sand Point from Kodiak for another year of whale surveys.
After sitting around a few days waiting on weather, we made it out for some whale chasing (permitted, of course!). Bree gave me access to her great photos, so I could share them with everyone. The whales in the photos below are all humpbacks.
Seiners fishing Red Bluff. I love getting off the docks to see the fleet hard at work. The Sand Point seine fleet has some of the largest seiners in the State.
Here's my face after throwing up 3 times. It was rough out there!
The next day was incredible weather, but I opted to stay on land while the seasick memories were still so fresh from the day before. Bree got some incredible photos!
Humpback whales are identified by the markings on their flukes. As many are cataloged as possible. Part of Bree's goal every year is to survey the Shumagins, identifying the returning and new whales in the area.
Here are a series of fin shots taken on the second day showing how distinct their flukes can be.
The next day was incredible weather, but I opted to stay on land while the seasick memories were still so fresh from the day before. Bree got some incredible photos!
Humpback whales are identified by the markings on their flukes. As many are cataloged as possible. Part of Bree's goal every year is to survey the Shumagins, identifying the returning and new whales in the area.
Here are a series of fin shots taken on the second day showing how distinct their flukes can be.
1 comment:
sigh. i love whales. with all my heart. they are magic. i don't care how cheesy that sounds.
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