As we sailed into Sitka, it became very obvious how beautiful the area surrounding this city is. Sitka Sound, the body of water that Sitka sits directly on, is covered with small rocky islands with many pine trees on them. Most are uninhabited but a few have huge, beautiful homes on them that can only be reached by boat. It must be quite a place to live.
This was also the first stop at which we had to have a tender to get to land. Tender is when the cruise ship cannot get right up to the docks and must anchor out in the bay and therefore you must ride smaller boats up to the dock.
This is one of the many tender boats that were running back and forth to the cruise ship all day.After getting off the tender, I immediately noticed a shorebird working its way along some rocky coastline. I was able to quickly relocate the bird and identify it as my lifer Wandering Tattler. It was exciting to start the day off with such a great bird!
We then quickly headed off to Sitka National Historic Park or Totem Park. This park has many totem poles and magnificent views of the sound in addition to numerous bird species. The pine trees at this park are so dense that it is extremely difficult to find the birds even when you can hear them. Needless to say, knowing the bird's songs was very important in this park. When I would hear something that was new for me, I would have to spend a considerable amount of time finding the individual that was singing. I was rewarded for my efforts with a wonderful look at a Chestnut-backed Chickadee. The rocky shores in the park were also productive. I found Harlequin Duck, Whimbrel, Long-billed Dowitcher, and a juvenile Glaucous-winged Gull. The following five pictures were all taken within the park.
View of Mt. Edgecomb from Totem Park
Our cruise ship
Sitka Sound
Totem Pole
Totem Pole
Me in front of the Alaska Raptor Center Sign
The Alaska Raptor Center
Bald Eagle at the Alaska Raptor Center
16 comments:
Did you get any other pics at the raptor center?
Great shots from up north, thanks for sharing.
Cheers
Guy
Regina In Pictures
Awesome shots! Love the water shots but moreso the eagle and the totem pole. :)
Looks like a wonderful trip.
Oops, sorry my watery post is on my photoblog:
My post is here: Carletta’s Captures.
My regular blog has grandbaby pics. :)
Wonderful shots. I'm so glad you're sharing these with us. We had to take one of those shuttle boats from our cruise ship in Cabo San Lucas but it wasn't enclosed like the one you pictured. I think I would have preferred that one. :-D
Beautiful images. You looked like you had a great time there.
Marvelous photos ...
Looking at them brings back memories of my own trip to Alaska in 2000. My sister and her husband are there right now ;--)
Hugs and blessings,
OMG!!I sooo want to visit Alaska some day.And you have reinforced that feeling.Love the pictures.
Your photos are totally awesome, Rob. Thanks for the journey, I enjoyed it.
Seems like a great place to visit! The totem poles are so interesting! Great shots and interesting info. :)
wow it's cool, I like it.
Beautiful photos. I love those totem poles. Thanks for sharing your Alaskan cruise.
Beautiful post. Excellent shots. Thanks for sharing.
Excellent post ..
Love the water shots with the snowcapped mountains..
What a fun cruise !
The Norfolk Botanical Garden here in Virginia has a nesting pair of bald eagles. They have built nests in the high pines and have raised two or three chicks a year for over five years. This year there are three and no drama. Last year there was a problem with an interloper female and a bit of a Peyton Place set up. Only one chick survived and had some medical problems.
What a wonderful trip...
The cruise ship looks hug from that perspective. You obviously had a whale of a time!
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