Alaska Expedition, Aug - Sept, 2016

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8/26/15, Seattle sunset: On the way to Alaska
8/26/15, Seattle sunset: On the way to Alaska
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8/27/16, Juneau: Mendenhall Glacier
8/27/16, Juneau: Mendenhall Glacier
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8/27/16, Juneau: Closer view of the ice in the Mendenhall Glacier.
8/27/16, Juneau: Closer view of the ice in the Mendenhall Glacier.
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8/27/16, Juneau: Very pleasant town of about 32.6K people.
8/27/16, Juneau: Very pleasant town of about 32.6K people.
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8/28/16, Holkum Bay: Tracy Arm, floating ice from Dawes Glacier
8/28/16, Holkum Bay: Tracy Arm, floating ice from Dawes Glacier
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8/28/16, Holkum Bay: Tracy Arm, floating ice from Dawes Glacier
8/28/16, Holkum Bay: Tracy Arm, floating ice from Dawes Glacier
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8/28/16, Holkum Bay: Tracy Arm, floating ice from Dawes Glacier
8/28/16, Holkum Bay: Tracy Arm, floating ice from Dawes Glacier
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8/28/16, Holkum Bay: Tracy Arm, Dawes Glacier
8/28/16, Holkum Bay: Tracy Arm, Dawes Glacier
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8/28/16, Holkum Bay: Tracy Arm, floating ice from Dawes Glacier, gorgeous islands of blue ice.
8/28/16, Holkum Bay: Tracy Arm, floating ice from Dawes Glacier, gorgeous islands of blue ice.
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8/28/16, Holkum Bay: Tracy Arm, floating ice from Dawes Glacier, gorgeous islands of blue ice.
8/28/16, Holkum Bay: Tracy Arm, floating ice from Dawes Glacier, gorgeous islands of blue ice.
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8/28/16, Holkum Bay: Tracy Arm, floating ice from Dawes Glacier, gorgeous islands of blue ice.
8/28/16, Holkum Bay: Tracy Arm, floating ice from Dawes Glacier, gorgeous islands of blue ice.
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8/28/16, Holkum Bay: Tracy Arm, floating ice from Dawes Glacier, gorgeous islands of blue ice.
8/28/16, Holkum Bay: Tracy Arm, floating ice from Dawes Glacier, gorgeous islands of blue ice.
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8/28/16, Holkum Bay: Tracy Arm, floating ice from Dawes Glacier, gorgeous islands of blue ice.
8/28/16, Holkum Bay: Tracy Arm, floating ice from Dawes Glacier, gorgeous islands of blue ice.
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8/28/16, Holkum Bay: Tracy Arm, floating ice from Dawes Glacier, gorgeous islands of blue ice.
8/28/16, Holkum Bay: Tracy Arm, floating ice from Dawes Glacier, gorgeous islands of blue ice.
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8/28/16, Holkum Bay: Tracy Arm, floating ice from Dawes Glacier, gorgeous islands of blue ice.
8/28/16, Holkum Bay: Tracy Arm, floating ice from Dawes Glacier, gorgeous islands of blue ice.
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8/28/16, Holkum Bay: Tracy Arm, Dawes Glacier full shot showing the small DIB boat for perspective
8/28/16, Holkum Bay: Tracy Arm, Dawes Glacier full shot showing the small DIB boat for perspective
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Tracy Arm,Mountain goats VERY high, visible as we left the area
Tracy Arm,Mountain goats VERY high, visible as we left the area
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Tracy Arm,Mountain goats VERY high, visible as we left the area
Tracy Arm,Mountain goats VERY high, visible as we left the area
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Amazing views in all directions.
Amazing views in all directions.
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Sunset
Sunset
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8/28/16, Stephen's Passage: Whale sightings along the way.
8/28/16, Stephen's Passage: Whale sightings along the way.
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8/28/16, Stephen's Passage: Whale sightings along the way.
8/28/16, Stephen's Passage: Whale sightings along the way.
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8/28/16, Stephen's Passage: Heading towards Petersburg in the sunset.
8/28/16, Stephen's Passage: Heading towards Petersburg in the sunset.
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8/28/16, Stephen's Passage: Heading for Petersburg in the sunset.
8/28/16, Stephen's Passage: Heading for Petersburg in the sunset.
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8/29/16, Frederick Sound: Sunrise, heading for Ideal Cove.
8/29/16, Frederick Sound: Sunrise, heading for Ideal Cove.
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8/29/16, Ideal Cove: Ideal Cove hike in the temperate rain forest
8/29/16, Ideal Cove: Ideal Cove hike in the temperate rain forest
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8/29/16, Ideal Cove: Hike in temperate rain forest, tree stumps slowly return to the forest.
8/29/16, Ideal Cove: Hike in temperate rain forest, tree stumps slowly return to the forest.
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8/29/16, Petersburg, AK: We arrive at the harbor of Petersburg
8/29/16, Petersburg, AK: We arrive at the harbor of Petersburg
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8/29/16, Petersburg, AK: Short rainy walk into town past statues and flowers. Petersburg is on Mikof Island.
8/29/16, Petersburg, AK: Short rainy walk into town past statues and flowers. Petersburg is on Mikof Island.
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8/29/16, Petersburg, AK: View of Petersburg downtown. About 3000 people live here.
8/29/16, Petersburg, AK: View of Petersburg downtown. About 3000 people live here.
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8/29/16, Petersburg, AK: This is the sea-plane we plan to take out over the glaciers.
8/29/16, Petersburg, AK: This is the sea-plane we plan to take out over the glaciers.
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8/29/16, Petersburg, AK: Yes, I was alone in a small seat across the back of the little plane. Yikes!
8/29/16, Petersburg, AK: Yes, I was alone in a small seat across the back of the little plane. Yikes!
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8/29/16, Sea-plane from Petersburg, AK: The mountains and fjords are awesome!
8/29/16, Sea-plane from Petersburg, AK: The mountains and fjords are awesome!
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8/29/16, Sea-plane from Petersburg, AK: LeConte Glacier, 1 mile wide and about 21 miles long. These sights are mind-boggling.
8/29/16, Sea-plane from Petersburg, AK: LeConte Glacier, 1 mile wide and about 21 miles long. These sights are mind-boggling.
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8/29/16, Sea-plane from Petersburg, AK: View of the glacier ice inching towards the fjord. A river of ice indeed!
8/29/16, Sea-plane from Petersburg, AK: View of the glacier ice inching towards the fjord. A river of ice indeed!
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8/29/16, Sea-plane from Petersburg, AK: This view shows how treacherous and beautiful is the surface of the glacier.
8/29/16, Sea-plane from Petersburg, AK: This view shows how treacherous and beautiful is the surface of the glacier.
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8/29/16, Sea-plane from Petersburg, AK: OK probably one too many photos of this, but I was really blown away.
8/29/16, Sea-plane from Petersburg, AK: OK probably one too many photos of this, but I was really blown away.
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8/29/16, Sea-plane from Petersburg, AK: We were a little nervous on the flight, so now big smiles!
8/29/16, Sea-plane from Petersburg, AK: We were a little nervous on the flight, so now big smiles!
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8/30/16, Red Bluff Bay: Orca
8/30/16, Red Bluff Bay: Orca "killer" whales feeding this morning, as we head for Chatham Strait.
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8/30/16, Lake Eva: Hiking in another rain forest (this time not in rain). Nice trails!
8/30/16, Lake Eva: Hiking in another rain forest (this time not in rain). Nice trails!
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8/31/16, near Cross Sound and Icy Strait: Wake up to this view! WOW!
8/31/16, near Cross Sound and Icy Strait: Wake up to this view! WOW!
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8/31/16, Cross Sound and Icy Strait: Sea otters are making a comeback. This one seemed quite relaxed about our visit.
8/31/16, Cross Sound and Icy Strait: Sea otters are making a comeback. This one seemed quite relaxed about our visit.
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8/31/16, Cross Sound and Icy Strait: Steller's Sea Lions are fishing everywhere in this bay.
8/31/16, Cross Sound and Icy Strait: Steller's Sea Lions are fishing everywhere in this bay.
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8/31/16, Cross Sound and Icy Strait: Sea gulls hover above the sea lions and grab any fish parts that they can.
8/31/16, Cross Sound and Icy Strait: Sea gulls hover above the sea lions and grab any fish parts that they can.
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8/31/16, Cross Sound and Icy Strait: This sea gull has high hopes for fish parts. The sea lion looks a little frustrated.
8/31/16, Cross Sound and Icy Strait: This sea gull has high hopes for fish parts. The sea lion looks a little frustrated.
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8/31/16, Cross Sound and Icy Strait: Just another amazing view also showing our DIB vehicles.
8/31/16, Cross Sound and Icy Strait: Just another amazing view also showing our DIB vehicles.
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8/31/16, Chichagof Island: Photo assignment on a photo walk near Fox Creek.
8/31/16, Chichagof Island: Photo assignment on a photo walk near Fox Creek.
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8/31/16, Chichagof Island: Thought I'd include a nice photo of our expedition ship, the National Geographic Sea Bird.
8/31/16, Chichagof Island: Thought I'd include a nice photo of our expedition ship, the National Geographic Sea Bird.
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8/31/16, near Inian Islands: What can be said about a sunset like this? OMG
8/31/16, near Inian Islands: What can be said about a sunset like this? OMG
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8/31/16, near Inian Islands: More sunset from the bow of the ship.
8/31/16, near Inian Islands: More sunset from the bow of the ship.
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8/31/16, heading towards Glacier Bay: A sunset like that followed by an hour of Northern Lights Auroras!! I struggled with camera settings, but took a few of the amazing lights.
8/31/16, heading towards Glacier Bay: A sunset like that followed by an hour of Northern Lights Auroras!! I struggled with camera settings, but took a few of the amazing lights.
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8/31/16, heading towards Glacier Bay: Amazing Auroras
8/31/16, heading towards Glacier Bay: Amazing Auroras
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8/31/16, heading towards Glacier Bay: One more of the Auroras that roiled and rolled across the sky for a long time.
8/31/16, heading towards Glacier Bay: One more of the Auroras that roiled and rolled across the sky for a long time.
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9/1/16, Jaw Point: What a way to welcome September! Glacier Bay today.
9/1/16, Jaw Point: What a way to welcome September! Glacier Bay today.
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9/1/16, Jaw Point: This is Johns Hopkins Glacier. The dark
9/1/16, Jaw Point: This is Johns Hopkins Glacier. The dark "flowing" ribbon shows why these are called "rivers of ice."
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9/1/16, Jaw Point: Ho hum, just another amazing view of glaciers, mountains, and reflections.
9/1/16, Jaw Point: Ho hum, just another amazing view of glaciers, mountains, and reflections.
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9/1/16, top of Glacier Bay, Margerie Glacier: We stood on the ship and watched (and listened to) this glacier for awhile.
9/1/16, top of Glacier Bay, Margerie Glacier: We stood on the ship and watched (and listened to) this glacier for awhile.
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9/1/16, top of Glacier Bay, Margerie Glacier: Ice caves in Marjerie Glacier. We didn't get closer because this glacier tends to have
9/1/16, top of Glacier Bay, Margerie Glacier: Ice caves in Marjerie Glacier. We didn't get closer because this glacier tends to have "shooting" calves that suddenly explode out of the water.
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9/1/16, top of Glacier Bay, Margerie Glacier: Small calf from near an ice cave in the glacier.
9/1/16, top of Glacier Bay, Margerie Glacier: Small calf from near an ice cave in the glacier.
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9/1/16, heading down Glacier Bay. : Lots of sea lions and birds on islands in the bay.
9/1/16, heading down Glacier Bay. : Lots of sea lions and birds on islands in the bay.
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9/2/16, heading south towards Sitka now: No, the fabulous views never got boring!
9/2/16, heading south towards Sitka now: No, the fabulous views never got boring!
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9/2/16, the Sea Bird: Pavlof Harbor at entrance to Freshwater Bay
9/2/16, the Sea Bird: Pavlof Harbor at entrance to Freshwater Bay
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First DIB ride in the harbor - a jellyfish about a foot across.
First DIB ride in the harbor - a jellyfish about a foot across.
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Bear fishing at a waterfall on river flowing into Pavlof Harbor.
Bear fishing at a waterfall on river flowing into Pavlof Harbor.
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She has a lovely salmon!
She has a lovely salmon!
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She shares with her cubs, and eventually with the gulls.
She shares with her cubs, and eventually with the gulls.
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Another salmon for lunch!
Another salmon for lunch!
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Aftermath of humpback whales bubble fishing. A group of them create a circle of bubbles to trap herring and then they rise through the center of the bubbles with mouths wide open (like the one on the left).
Aftermath of humpback whales bubble fishing. A group of them create a circle of bubbles to trap herring and then they rise through the center of the bubbles with mouths wide open (like the one on the left).
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Better camera settings than last night, but the Auroras were very brief. One good photo!
Better camera settings than last night, but the Auroras were very brief. One good photo!
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Explore Sitka before flying to Seattle later in the day.
Explore Sitka before flying to Seattle later in the day.
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Snowy owl in a raptor recovery center supported by Walter and Suzanne Scott Foundation (Omaha).
Snowy owl in a raptor recovery center supported by Walter and Suzanne Scott Foundation (Omaha).
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Snowy owl in a raptor recovery center supported by Walter and Suzanne Scott Foundation (Omaha).
Snowy owl in a raptor recovery center supported by Walter and Suzanne Scott Foundation (Omaha).
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Owls being saved by the Raptor Recovery Center.
Owls being saved by the Raptor Recovery Center.
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Owls being saved by the Raptor Recovery Center. This one is really tiny and so cute!
Owls being saved by the Raptor Recovery Center. This one is really tiny and so cute!
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Many bald eagles being rescued also by this center.
Many bald eagles being rescued also by this center.
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And a very handsome gray owl stares me down through the fence.
And a very handsome gray owl stares me down through the fence.
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Totem pole near the Sitka Historical Museum.
Totem pole near the Sitka Historical Museum.
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If you squint, you can see MANY salmon spawning in this stream.
If you squint, you can see MANY salmon spawning in this stream.
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Details of totem native art in the Sitka Historical Museum
Details of totem native art in the Sitka Historical Museum
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Details of totem native art in the Sitka Historical Museum
Details of totem native art in the Sitka Historical Museum
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Details of totem native art in the Sitka Historical Museum
Details of totem native art in the Sitka Historical Museum
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Time to depart from this incredible state. Thanks for a wonderful visit!!
Time to depart from this incredible state. Thanks for a wonderful visit!!
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