Icey Strait Point (Whales, Bears, & more Whales)

The goal of any Wildlife and Scenic Cruise is to actually see some wildlife. We rely on the expertise of the crew to be able to know where the critters like to be at any given time and then spy indicators of said wildlife.

After that, placing oneself strategically on the vessel is crucial, especially a somewhat overloaded one. Our boat held 153 passengers, and it was full. It was safe, we were not overloaded when it came to safety, just when it came to “Rail-Estate”.

My guess is that if you put one person at every available rail position, there may have been room for maybe half. Everyone else is either still inside (with large, tinted windows) or standing several deep craning to look over, and between, the heads of others. Definitely not ideal for photography!

As we stood on the pier we could see that this was going to be an issue, so a ‘Plan of Aggression’ was well, planned. The rest of our group was to place themselves in places that when the doors opened (after the safety briefing) to the very few outside positions, they would jump up and push their way through the throngs of  ‘Rail Hoggers’ and jettison any unlucky person that got in their way. A kind of ‘Orca Bait’ as it were.

                     Luckily, none of that was needed because I was able to secure a spot near the door that ensured me that coveted rail position! Not only that, but it was the first one directly after the superstructure ended and the deck began, complete with a seat! This enabled me to keep this spot while we were winging our way over the waves on our way to the hunting grounds and not freeze to death as that superstructure protected me from the wind!

                     Finally, some humpbacks were spotted, their spumes of exhaled vapor gave their positions away and the Captain reacted appropriately, swinging the boat into position for everyone to see these big guys!

On the Port side.

You know what they say about the best laid plans…..

My Ultimate Spot was on the Starboard side.

Oh well.

I stood over there listening to the loudspeaker spewing out descriptions and positions of a nice pod of humpbacks and the accompanying shouts of wonderment and glee from the lucky whale-sighters that had no plan before but landed their own coveted spot. I said to myself, “Be patient, the captain will swing the boat around for the Starboard side to get a look.”

                                           Nada.

                                           Everyone was cramming as close as they could to get to the Port side that we looked like the Statue of Liberty sightseeing boats heeled over as far as they can go without capsizing. Why would he even attempt to swing the boat around for the one guy still on the Starboard rail?

           Oh well.

I’ll just keep taking seagull photos.

Then I felt a tap on my shoulder, it was Paula saying. “Matt said you can have his spot on the rail.” I looked over and he was right there, the only thing in front of him was the water, so I ambled over and he caught my eye and indicated it was time to put Plan B into effect. Two seconds later I found myself on the rail with Giant Mammals cavorting in front of me!

                                Get ready!!!! You will now see for yourself!

I’m sure that you all remember the 1956 movie Moby Dick starring Richard Basehart and Gregory Peck (Directed by John Huston and written by him and Ray Bradbury!) Remember the scene that has Moby Dick coming straight at the Pequod and you can see the water draining off his back? Get ready!

By now we’re on our way back to the dock but our ever-vigilant crew spies some tell-tale really high dorsal fins in the distance! This can only mean one thing……. Orcas!