Whales’ breathing sounds like a snorkeler taking a breath before a dive. A blow to clear the snorkel and a deep breath in. All day. All around us! The wonder of it all.
Snorkel breaths
Whales’ breathing sounds like a snorkeler taking a breath before a dive. A blow to clear the snorkel and a deep breath in. All day. All around us! The wonder of it all.
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- Visitors
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- Whale blow
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- Whale tail
More chocolate please
The day began cold with clouds, poor visibility and rain. We tinkered indoors until lunch when visitors aboard the Alaska Quest arrived.
They were greeted by a humongous humpback whale, which surfaced right next to their dinghy. For the rest of the day we were bathed in sunshine while we tracked whales, swimming, flapping their flippers, diving and breaching (sp?). I even managed to get a photo or two.
The evening was topped off by a beautiful sunset and a lone whale breathing audibly and swimming against the tide.
We could hear whales hyper-ventilating and smacking their bodies against the water all day.
And to top it off, our visitors brought us chocolate croissants and peppermint bark.
Just perfect. Here are some paltry iPhone photos. Now we have just enough internet for the laptops to check email. Saved by the smartphone.
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- Alaska Quest
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- Mown
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- Glacier neighbors
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- Coast range
It’s the small things
I’m unable to share some of my fabulous photographs because the internet still needs tweaking. Patience paid off today.
I kept hearing a humpback whale breathe just offshore. I could see the ripples it left after a dive. Then it would remain underwater for an eternity. I would go off and do something else, only to hear it again. The last time I caught it including a beautiful dive shot and everything. Only not on this camera- my iPhone.
Next I went to look at the eagles and the harlequin duck I saw yesterday. One of the eagles was on a mission and flew right overhead and…I was prepared with my camera.
On the iPhone today, I have a quilt I am taking a stab, truly, at hand quilting; the cute little pigeon guillemot, which roosts in the cliff and a sock.
I have knit a pair of socks for myself at each lighthouse caretaking spot. I sourced this yarn in Juneau. I hope to find some Quiviet fiber on my return trip.
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- Hand quilting
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- Pigeon guillemo
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- Five finger socks
Goodbye sun
We knew it was too good to be true when we were welcomed to Southeast Alaska with warm, sunny days. Now she’s showing her true colors. Cloudy, rainy and cool. Back to wool clothing for me.
I spent the day watching and photographing pigeon guillemots, a harlequin duck and a flock of black turnstones with my real camera. Since my only internet connection is via my iPhone, they will have to wait until I get home. We watched a whale play with a boat for about a half hour yesterday. I had binoculars but no camera. I hope to get a few good shots while we are here.
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- Lantern view
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- Skies
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- Five Fingers
Eagle poo is not majestic
I should know. I cleaned the outside of the lantern today. Parts of it were covered by calcium rich droppings and there were little bombs of matted grass and skeletons, similar to owl pellets.
Traffic
Boats to the east of us travel south through the Wrangell Narrows, which can only accommodate “smaller” boats like the ferries and fishing boats. Cruise ships enter Frederick Sound (our summer home) from the west from the Gulf of Alaska. Cruise ships to the left, ferries to the right, here I am stuck in the middle…
I spent a half hour tonight watching a whale slowly cruise by, taking snorkel breaths, diving and flapping a flipper. A sea lion was hanging out on the other side and the eagles were fishing. Somebody pinch me!
The keeper’s quarters are tidy and bleach has obliterated my sense of smell. The countertop convection oven has produced an apple pie, pizza, kale chips, bread and brownies with a little help from me.
It’s still light out when I crawl into my sleeping bag anywhere between 9 and 10 pm. Ambient light makes it easy to read five pages before crashing.
Five Finger helipad
My world at Five Finger Lighthouse as seen from the helipad – the place to be to see whales, porpoises, visitors and to get cell phone reception.
I took this photo while on hold with ATT for an hour trying to straighten out the internet. Never happened so I write this from the lighthouse tower!
Lighthouse impressions
Lovely! We’re busy cleaning and mowing but are also enjoying the gorgeous sights. We share the island with a pair of eagles while whales and sea lions swim right offshore.
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- Other digits
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- Anenonme
The tip of the iceberg
We took a three hour tour to the lighthouse and saw eagles, whales, sea lions and icebergs. We went up to this one to attempt to get some ice. Boys will be boys.
Internet is sketchy at the moment and I write this from the lantern room and it looks like I can only add one photo. More to follow. Time for bed.
Island and North Country Life 