Another sunny day! Miracles! We headed down to the spit and a last minute reservation got us onto the Rainbow Connection, a wildlife touring boat over to Seldovia on the other side of the bay. We left the harbor at 10:30 and headed most directly towards Gull Island, a bit of rock in the bay that is a wildlife haven.
Covered in cliff-nesting birds which return each year during the summer nesting cycle, we were treated to several different species of pelagic birds. Gulls of course, and some comorants. Common murres, which look like penguins, and black footed kittiwakes. And of course the tufted puffin. There were over 20,000 nesting birds, nestled in the ledges of the rough rock face, and floating in the sea around the rocks. And also down in the sea were otters. Some were shy and dove quickly, but we were lucky to see a few floating by, and one with a youngster on board.
The big excitement came from the humpback whale which made 3 appearances around the boat. Without knowing where he would breach the water next we waited for 6-7 minutes between each dive to see his spout, and then hopefully the next dive. It was quite exciting.
Finally we arrived in Seldovia, a little village of 350 people that is only accessible by boat or plane, and which seems sorta lost in time. There’s an old boardwalk, which used to be the only way the townspeople could get from one house to the next except at low tide. And a few locals who make their living fishing and supporting the community. There used to be a canning industry but the 1964 earthquake flattened that business, and whatever there was left of that industry was moved to Homer. It was so remote and tiny and isolated. But some of those little cabins overlooking the inlet were beautiful. And I guess with internet they’re all set. Even without running water in the yurt.
The boat ride back was quicker, and it had clouded up and begun to rain. So we got some take away food and headed back to our B&B for dinner, some wine and some relaxing before a long drive tomorrow back to Anchorage.
I love that rock formation!