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Be Never Satisfied Ever Again: Kenai Fjords
Be Never Satisfied Ever Again: Kenai Fjords
by Kenton Krueger
The famous naturalist John Muir once wrote: “you should never go to Alaska as a young (person) because you’ll never be satisfied with any other place as long as you live.”
There is no place like Alaska, we agree. However, at the same time, we urge everyone, regardless of age, to visit ‘The Last Frontier’ at some point, in whatever capacity makes the most sense for you. Even if by doing so you chance ruining the rest of the world for the rest of your life (kidding, of course).
Not only is Alaska incredible in its scenery, but it also provides a cornucopia of photographic delights across the spectrum of nature photography, a wildlife and landscapers’ dream location.
There is no place like Alaska, we agree. However, at the same time, we urge everyone, regardless of age, to visit ‘The Last Frontier’ at some point, in whatever capacity makes the most sense for you. Even if by doing so you chance ruining the rest of the world for the rest of your life (kidding, of course).
Not only is Alaska incredible in its scenery, but it also provides a cornucopia of photographic delights across the spectrum of nature photography, a wildlife and landscapers’ dream location.
We think there may not exist a better way to experience Alaska than by joining Backcountry Journeys’ Marine Wildlife of Alaska: Kenai Fjords photography tour.
At the edge of the Kenai Peninsula lies a land where the ice age procrastinates. Nearly 40 glaciers flow from the Harding Icefield, which is the crowning feature at Kenai Fjords National Park, located near Seward, Alaska. The Harding Icefield and its outflowing glaciers cover 700 square miles of Alaska’s Kenai Mountains in glacier ice. Created more than 23,000 years ago during the Pleistocene Epoch, the Icefield was a small piece of the vast ice sheet that covered much of Southcentral Alaska.
At the edge of the Kenai Peninsula lies a land where the ice age procrastinates. Nearly 40 glaciers flow from the Harding Icefield, which is the crowning feature at Kenai Fjords National Park, located near Seward, Alaska. The Harding Icefield and its outflowing glaciers cover 700 square miles of Alaska’s Kenai Mountains in glacier ice. Created more than 23,000 years ago during the Pleistocene Epoch, the Icefield was a small piece of the vast ice sheet that covered much of Southcentral Alaska.
Kenai Fjords National Park is a land dominated by glaciers, massive rivers of ice that flow out from the Harding Icefield. Today, nearly 51 percent of the park is covered by ice, but all of this land was once buried beneath the ice and still bears its influence. The dramatic coastal fjords and valleys of the park reveal a long history of glaciation.
Designated in 1980, Kenai Fjords National Park spans over 1,000 square miles of icy waters and lush forests where wildlife thrives.
Designated in 1980, Kenai Fjords National Park spans over 1,000 square miles of icy waters and lush forests where wildlife thrives.
Our Marine Wildlife of Alaska: Kenai Fjords’ trip is based out of the quaint but lively historical fishing town of Seward, Alaska. Seward features a lovely small boat harbor and is nestled deep in the mountains on Resurrection Bay – you can often photograph puffins, otters, bald eagles, and harbor seals right out of your window!
Each day we’ll board our specially designated photography vessel, and head out into the mysterious bays and coves of Kenai Fjords National Park. The wildlife photography here is truly second to none, and we visit each year when we do so because it is the best time for whales. Common species include Humpback and Orca. We will also have the opportunity to photograph seals, sea lions, and sea otters as well as a variety of seabirds including Bald eagle, Horned puffin, and Kittiwakes.
Wildlife is everywhere on this one, and not just of the marine variety. We regularly see mountain goats and even bears, perched high on the cliffs and on the many isolated beaches.
How about a quick look at some of the wildlife we’ll be hoping to see out there:
Humpback Whale
The Humpback has a distinctive body shape, with long pectoral fins and a knobbly head. It is known for breaching and other distinctive surface behaviors, making it popular with whale watchers. Males produce a complex song lasting 10 to 20 minutes, which they repeat for hours at a time. Its purpose is not clear, though it may have a role in mating. Found in oceans and seas around the world, Humpback whales typically migrate up to 16,000 miles each year. Humpbacks feed in polar waters and migrate to tropical or subtropical waters to breed and give birth when they fast and live off their fat reserves. Their diet consists mostly of krill and small fish.
The Humpback has a distinctive body shape, with long pectoral fins and a knobbly head. It is known for breaching and other distinctive surface behaviors, making it popular with whale watchers. Males produce a complex song lasting 10 to 20 minutes, which they repeat for hours at a time. Its purpose is not clear, though it may have a role in mating. Found in oceans and seas around the world, Humpback whales typically migrate up to 16,000 miles each year. Humpbacks feed in polar waters and migrate to tropical or subtropical waters to breed and give birth when they fast and live off their fat reserves. Their diet consists mostly of krill and small fish.
Orca
The killer whale, or orca, is a toothed whale belonging to the oceanic dolphin family, of which it is the largest member. Killer whales are apex predators, as there is no animal that preys on them. They are considered a cosmopolitan species, and can be found in each of the world’s oceans in a variety of marine environments, from Arctic and Antarctic regions to tropical seas—killer whales are only absent from the Baltic and Black seas, and some areas of the Arctic Ocean.
The killer whale, or orca, is a toothed whale belonging to the oceanic dolphin family, of which it is the largest member. Killer whales are apex predators, as there is no animal that preys on them. They are considered a cosmopolitan species, and can be found in each of the world’s oceans in a variety of marine environments, from Arctic and Antarctic regions to tropical seas—killer whales are only absent from the Baltic and Black seas, and some areas of the Arctic Ocean.
Sea Otter
The Sea otter is a marine mammal native to the coasts of the northern and eastern North Pacific Ocean. Adult sea otters typically weigh between 31 and 99 pounds, making them the heaviest members of the weasel family, but among the smallest marine mammals. Unlike most marine mammals, the sea otter’s primary form of insulation is an exceptionally thick coat of fur, the densest in the animal kingdom. Although it can walk on land, the sea otter lives mostly in the ocean. The sea otter inhabits offshore environments, where it dives to the seafloor to forage. It preys mostly on marine invertebrates such as sea urchins, various mollusks and crustaceans, and some species of fish. Its diet includes prey species that are also valued by humans as food, leading to conflicts between sea otters and fisheries.
The Sea otter is a marine mammal native to the coasts of the northern and eastern North Pacific Ocean. Adult sea otters typically weigh between 31 and 99 pounds, making them the heaviest members of the weasel family, but among the smallest marine mammals. Unlike most marine mammals, the sea otter’s primary form of insulation is an exceptionally thick coat of fur, the densest in the animal kingdom. Although it can walk on land, the sea otter lives mostly in the ocean. The sea otter inhabits offshore environments, where it dives to the seafloor to forage. It preys mostly on marine invertebrates such as sea urchins, various mollusks and crustaceans, and some species of fish. Its diet includes prey species that are also valued by humans as food, leading to conflicts between sea otters and fisheries.
Seal
Harbor seals are found along temperate and Arctic marine coastlines of the Northern Hemisphere. Harbor seals are brown, silvery-white, tan, or gray, with distinctive V-shaped nostrils. An adult can attain a length of six feet, and a mass of 290 pounds. Blubber under the seal’s skin helps to maintain body temperature. Females outlive males (30–35 years versus 20–25 years). Harbor seals stick to familiar resting spots or haulout sites, generally rocky areas (although ice, sand, and mud may also be used) where they are protected from adverse weather conditions and predation, near a foraging area. The global population of harbor seals is 350,000–500,000.
Harbor seals are found along temperate and Arctic marine coastlines of the Northern Hemisphere. Harbor seals are brown, silvery-white, tan, or gray, with distinctive V-shaped nostrils. An adult can attain a length of six feet, and a mass of 290 pounds. Blubber under the seal’s skin helps to maintain body temperature. Females outlive males (30–35 years versus 20–25 years). Harbor seals stick to familiar resting spots or haulout sites, generally rocky areas (although ice, sand, and mud may also be used) where they are protected from adverse weather conditions and predation, near a foraging area. The global population of harbor seals is 350,000–500,000.
Kittiwakes
The kittiwakes are two closely related seabird species in the gull family Laridae, the Black-legged kittiwake and the Red-legged kittiwake. Also known as a Seahawk because its wing pattern is similar to that of the hawk. The name is derived from its call, a shrill ‘kittee-wa-aaake, kitte-wa-aaake. ‘The two species are physically very similar. They have a white head and body, grey back, grey wings tipped solid black, and a yellow bill. Black-legged kittiwake adults are somewhat larger (roughly 16 inches in length) with a wingspan of 35–39 inches than red-legged kittiwakes (14–16 inches) in length with a wingspan around 33–35 inches. Other differences include a shorter bill, larger eyes, a larger, rounder head, and darker grey wings in the Red-legged kittiwake.
The kittiwakes are two closely related seabird species in the gull family Laridae, the Black-legged kittiwake and the Red-legged kittiwake. Also known as a Seahawk because its wing pattern is similar to that of the hawk. The name is derived from its call, a shrill ‘kittee-wa-aaake, kitte-wa-aaake. ‘The two species are physically very similar. They have a white head and body, grey back, grey wings tipped solid black, and a yellow bill. Black-legged kittiwake adults are somewhat larger (roughly 16 inches in length) with a wingspan of 35–39 inches than red-legged kittiwakes (14–16 inches) in length with a wingspan around 33–35 inches. Other differences include a shorter bill, larger eyes, a larger, rounder head, and darker grey wings in the Red-legged kittiwake.
Puffin
Puffins are a group of diving birds that swim underwater using their wings for propulsion and their feet for steering. Two species of puffins nest in Kenai Fjords National Park, the horned and the tufted. The puffins we see from the tour boats are ready for the breeding season. The horned puffin has pure white feathers around the face, large flashy beak plates, and the characteristic fleshy black horn above the eye. The tufted puffin also has white facial feathers and colorful beak plates, but the addition of two tufts of yellow feathers atop its head distinguishes this species. Both puffins stand 15 inches tall, the tufted puffin is heavier at 1.7 pounds than the horned puffin at 1.4 pounds. The weight difference seems slim, but for a bird that must flap its wings 400 times a minute to stay aloft, it is very big. The Inuit people of Alaska used puffin skins to make feather-lined parkas. Beak plates were collected and strung together to form rattles used by shaman in rituals. Both the Aleuts and the Inuits sewed beak plates for decoration on the outside of their garments.
Puffins are a group of diving birds that swim underwater using their wings for propulsion and their feet for steering. Two species of puffins nest in Kenai Fjords National Park, the horned and the tufted. The puffins we see from the tour boats are ready for the breeding season. The horned puffin has pure white feathers around the face, large flashy beak plates, and the characteristic fleshy black horn above the eye. The tufted puffin also has white facial feathers and colorful beak plates, but the addition of two tufts of yellow feathers atop its head distinguishes this species. Both puffins stand 15 inches tall, the tufted puffin is heavier at 1.7 pounds than the horned puffin at 1.4 pounds. The weight difference seems slim, but for a bird that must flap its wings 400 times a minute to stay aloft, it is very big. The Inuit people of Alaska used puffin skins to make feather-lined parkas. Beak plates were collected and strung together to form rattles used by shaman in rituals. Both the Aleuts and the Inuits sewed beak plates for decoration on the outside of their garments.
At the end of each thrilling day while on this tour, we’ll return to port from our adventure spend the evening, and retire to our warm, well-appointed rooms in Seward. Evenings on the town are excellent and our dinners are marked by good company, laughter, image sharing, and stories of the day.
So, why not step aboard and join Backcountry Journeys next summer for the photography trip of a lifetime through the icy waters, forested coves, and stunning alpine scenery of Kenai Fjords National Park?
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"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.
- Russ Nordstrand, Backcountry Journeys Founder & Director
- Russ Nordstrand, Backcountry Journeys Founder & Director
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All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLCs - Copyright 2024
BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS
"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Journeys Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLC - Copyright 2024
TRIP CATALOG
Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.