Ketchikan, Alaska

My wife and I just got back from an Alaskan Cruise, and during our trip, we got to take in a short paddle in Ketchikan with Southeast Seakayaks . There were so many eagles I lost count. We have a lot of eagles here in Newfoundland, but nothing like this is in Alaska. There is a 20 ft tidal range, and we paddled at low tide, so there were lots of underwater sealife visible: starfish, sun stars, and sea cucumber, sea urchins, anemones, etc... We also saw a harbour seal, but no orcas, although we did see some Orcas later from the cruise ship. It was a great paddle, just too short.

What a backdrop for a paddle

Our guide, Greg getting a starfish

Underside of the starfish

Inside the Tongass Narrows

Eagle Island in front of Angie, with an active eagle nest, not visible in this picture.

An eagle keeps watch over his domain

Notice how the tide runs right to the trees

An example of saltwater pruning. The high tide keeps the tree branches from growing any lower

Me soaking in the scenery

A happy couple

Sea cucumber

Greg plucks a sea cucumber out of the water

Trees are a bit bigger here than back home

Underside of a sun star

Heading back to the launch

All smiles