A cloud of kittwakes lifts off from the seabird colony. seabird the from off lifts kittwakes of cloud A details: www.dnr.state.ak.us/parks/safety. details:

a special name for landlocked sockeye; they’re called kokanee. kokanee. called they’re sockeye; landlocked for name special a the Alaska State Parks’ Staying Safe web page for for page web Safe Staying Parks’ State Alaska the

develop before spawning. There’s even even There’s spawning. before develop first aid kit and a means of communication. Visit Visit communication. of means a and kit aid first

prepared for emergencies with spare clothes, a a clothes, spare with emergencies for prepared of the enormous hump males males hump enormous the of

companion, let someone know your plans and be be and plans your know someone let companion, humpbacks (or humpies) because because humpies) (or humpbacks

lands. For safety, take a guided tour or bring a a bring or tour guided a take safety, For lands.

are dogs, and pink salmon are are salmon pink and dogs, are

the Alaska Coastal Wildlife Viewing Trail are wild wild are Trail Viewing Wildlife Coastal Alaska the

blackmouth, chum salmon salmon chum blackmouth,

The mountains, trails, islands and waterways of of waterways and islands trails, mountains, The

Chinook salmon are kings or or kings are salmon Chinook STAY SAFE! STAY

silvers, sockeye salmon are reds, reds, are salmon sockeye silvers, plenty of space. of plenty

more. Coho salmon (left) are called called are (left) salmon Coho more. private property and give hunters, anglers and others others and anglers hunters, give and property private

Every species has at least 2 monikers and some have even even have some and monikers 2 least at has species Every enjoy Alaska’s wildlife in a variety of ways. Respect Respect ways. of variety a in wildlife Alaska’s enjoy

waters but it seems like many more if you’re counting names. names. counting you’re if more many like seems it but waters Be Considerate of Others. Others. of Considerate Be People use and and use People

Coho Silver! Coho Five species of Pacific salmon spawn in Alaskan Alaskan in spawn salmon Pacific of species Five

Human food can also make animals sick. sick. animals make also can food Human

southern Alaska though some move further south in winter. winter. in south further move some though Alaska southern with food, which can cause trouble (it’s illegal too). too). illegal (it’s trouble cause can which food, with

or breed for another 4 or 5 years. Most bald eagles winter in in winter eagles bald Most years. 5 or 4 another for breed or animals. Doing so can cause them to associate people people associate to them cause can so Doing animals.

nest after about 75 days and do not attain adult plumage plumage adult attain not do and days 75 about after nest

Help Keep Wildlife Wild. Wild. Wildlife Keep Help Never feed wild wild feed Never

fight back. To learn more, visit www.alaskabears.alaska.gov. visit more, learn To back. fight

chick is often killed or starved. The surviving young leave the the leave young surviving The starved. or killed often is chick

Tracking books and workshops will help you learn. you help will workshops and books Tracking and remain still. In the rare instance of a predatory bear, bear, predatory a of instance rare the In still. remain and

rivalry is common among the young, and the weaker younger younger weaker the and young, the among common is rivalry

reading these clues adds richness to wildlife viewing. viewing. wildlife to richness adds clues these reading front, keep your backpack on, protect your face and neck, neck, and face your protect on, backpack your keep front,

female eagles incubate the eggs for just over a month. Sibling Sibling month. a over just for eggs the incubate eagles female

they live and when they passed through. Noticing and and Noticing through. passed they when and live they considering you as prey. For a defensive bear, lie on your your on lie bear, defensive a For prey. as you considering

The female lays two, sometimes three, eggs then male and and male then eggs three, sometimes two, lays female The

tell stories of wildlife: what they are eating, where where eating, are they what wildlife: of stories tell depends on whether the bear is acting defensively or or defensively acting is bear the whether on depends

year. They begin nest building in April. April. in building nest begin They year.

Look for Clues. Clues. for Look Tracks, droppings, trails and twigs twigs and trails droppings, Tracks, , play dead or fight back. The choice choice The back. fight or dead play , strikes bear a If

and rebuild the same nest every every nest same the rebuild and

pools and a wealth of food for birds and mammals. mammals. and birds for food of wealth a and pools Bald eagles often use use often eagles Bald tons. two and act defensively, especially if it has cubs or food. food. or cubs has it if especially defensively, act and

thermals for eagles and hawks. Low tides expose tide tide expose tides Low hawks. and eagles for thermals 9 ft across and weigh as much as as much as weigh and across ft 9 if a bear is surprised at close distance, it may feel threatened threatened feel may it distance, close at surprised is bear a if

energizes dragonflies and butterflies and creates creates and butterflies and dragonflies energizes over the years it can reach up to to up reach can it years the over , you may provoke a chase. Also, Also, chase. a provoke may you , bear a from run Never

wildlife species are most active. Midday warmth warmth Midday active. most are species wildlife nest is about 5 ft in diameter but but diameter in ft 5 about is nest

to it calmly. If it approaches you, stand your ground. your stand you, approaches it If calmly. it to

Time it Right. it Time Dawn and dusk are when many many when are dusk and Dawn of the surrounding area. A typical typical A area. surrounding the of

does notice you, face the bear, wave your arms and talk talk and arms your wave bear, the face you, notice does

flight access and allow for a clear view view clear a for allow and access flight

behavior; approach no closer than 100 yards. 100 than closer no approach behavior;

you, leave quietly, keeping your eyes on the bear. If it it If bear. the on eyes your keeping quietly, leave you,

eagle nest. Nest trees are usually close to the water, have good good have water, the to close usually are trees Nest nest. eagle

areas. With whales, avoid causing them to change their their change to them causing avoid whales, With areas.

If the bear does not notice notice not does bear the If calm stay If you see a bear, a see you If . .

spot what looks like a giant jumble of sticks, it may be a bald bald a be may it sticks, of jumble giant a like looks what spot

rookeries and calving grounds, and critical feeding feeding critical and grounds, calving and rookeries

tallest spruce trees growing along rivers and coastline. If you you If coastline. and rivers along growing trees spruce tallest

etc.) with you or in bear-resistant storage. bear-resistant in or you with etc.) especially respectful of nesting and denning areas, areas, denning and nesting of respectful especially

A bed of sticks: sticks: of bed A Look high up into the branches of the the of branches the into up high Look

poor. Always keep your belongings (backpack, food, fish, fish, food, (backpack, belongings your keep Always poor. to stop feeding or act restless, give it more space. Be Be space. more it give restless, act or feeding stop to

along noisy streams, in thick brush and when visibility is is visibility when and brush thick in streams, noisy along with sounds. If your presence is causing an animal animal an causing is presence your If sounds. with Wildlife Viewing Fun Facts Facts Fun Viewing Wildlife

your chances of surprising a bear. Be especially alert alert especially Be bear. a surprising of chances your natural behaviors and try not to attract their attention attention their attract to not try and behaviors natural

(sing, clap, talk) while you travel to reduce reduce to travel you while talk) clap, (sing, noise Make Keep a Low Profile. Profile. Low a Keep Enjoy watching animals’ animals’ watching Enjoy

Wildlife Viewing Tips Viewing Wildlife Traveling Safely in Bear Country Bear in Safely Traveling

WHITTIER Wildlifeildlife ViewingViewing Whittier: A Gateway to GuideGuide Wildlife Wonders From the shorebirds of Cordova to the brown Often described as the western gateway to Prince William bears of Kodiak Island, from the caribou of Cold Sound, Whittier boasts a spectacular setting, many Bay to the whales of Unalaska, the South Coastal recreational activities and, if you arrive by road or train, a 2.5 mile trip through North America’s longest tunnel. segment of the Alaska Coastal Wildlife Viewing Trail highlights dozens Though Whittier and its tunnel date from the 1940s, the area of wildlife viewing has long been used for passage to Southcentral and Interior sites in and around Alaska. The Chugach people came through on their way to the communities of what is now Cook Inlet. European and American explorers Cordova, and miners later followed this route as well. The U.S. Army Valdez, Whittier, built a port and railroad terminus at the present town site during World War II. Two large buildings that dominate Kodiak, Sand Point, Chignik, Cold Bay, False Pass Whittier were built for soldiers after the war. The Begich and Unalaska. Pick up community brochures Towers are now condominiums housing most of Whittier’s along the coastal trail and check for Alaska’s South residents. The Buckner Building is abandoned. Coastal Wildlife Viewing Guide in stores and online.

Whittier suffered heavy damage in a tsunami after the 1964 For more information on wildlife viewing across Alaska, earthquake but rebuilt and is today a popular destination for visit www.wildlifeviewing.alaska.gov. Anchorage residents, tourists, anglers and hunters. For information on lodging and tours, visit the Greater www.wildlifeviewing.alaska.gov Whittier Chamber of Commerce website at www. Alaska Department of whittieralaskachamber.org Photos Bald eagle cover & kittiwake rookery ©Gerry Sanger • Eagle w/chick ©Bob Armstrong • Fish and Game or email the chamber at All other photos © ADF&G. [email protected]. Watch Our Wildlife

A cloud of kittwakes lifts off from the seabird colony. seabird the from off lifts kittwakes of cloud A details: www.dnr.state.ak.us/parks/safety. details:

a special name for landlocked sockeye; they’re called kokanee. kokanee. called they’re sockeye; landlocked for name special a the Alaska State Parks’ Staying Safe web page for for page web Safe Staying Parks’ State Alaska the

develop before spawning. There’s even even There’s spawning. before develop first aid kit and a means of communication. Visit Visit communication. of means a and kit aid first

prepared for emergencies with spare clothes, a a clothes, spare with emergencies for prepared of the enormous hump males males hump enormous the of

companion, let someone know your plans and be be and plans your know someone let companion, humpbacks (or humpies) because because humpies) (or humpbacks

lands. For safety, take a guided tour or bring a a bring or tour guided a take safety, For lands.

are dogs, and pink salmon are are salmon pink and dogs, are

the Alaska Coastal Wildlife Viewing Trail are wild wild are Trail Viewing Wildlife Coastal Alaska the

blackmouth, chum salmon salmon chum blackmouth,

The mountains, trails, islands and waterways of of waterways and islands trails, mountains, The

Chinook salmon are kings or or kings are salmon Chinook STAY SAFE! STAY

silvers, sockeye salmon are reds, reds, are salmon sockeye silvers, plenty of space. of plenty

more. Coho salmon (left) are called called are (left) salmon Coho more. private property and give hunters, anglers and others others and anglers hunters, give and property private

Every species has at least 2 monikers and some have even even have some and monikers 2 least at has species Every enjoy Alaska’s wildlife in a variety of ways. Respect Respect ways. of variety a in wildlife Alaska’s enjoy

waters but it seems like many more if you’re counting names. names. counting you’re if more many like seems it but waters Be Considerate of Others. Others. of Considerate Be People use and and use People

Coho Silver! Coho Five species of Pacific salmon spawn in Alaskan Alaskan in spawn salmon Pacific of species Five

Human food can also make animals sick. sick. animals make also can food Human

southern Alaska though some move further south in winter. winter. in south further move some though Alaska southern with food, which can cause trouble (it’s illegal too). too). illegal (it’s trouble cause can which food, with

or breed for another 4 or 5 years. Most bald eagles winter in in winter eagles bald Most years. 5 or 4 another for breed or animals. Doing so can cause them to associate people people associate to them cause can so Doing animals.

nest after about 75 days and do not attain adult plumage plumage adult attain not do and days 75 about after nest

Help Keep Wildlife Wild. Wild. Wildlife Keep Help Never feed wild wild feed Never

fight back. To learn more, visit www.alaskabears.alaska.gov. visit more, learn To back. fight

chick is often killed or starved. The surviving young leave the the leave young surviving The starved. or killed often is chick

Tracking books and workshops will help you learn. you help will workshops and books Tracking and remain still. In the rare instance of a predatory bear, bear, predatory a of instance rare the In still. remain and

rivalry is common among the young, and the weaker younger younger weaker the and young, the among common is rivalry

reading these clues adds richness to wildlife viewing. viewing. wildlife to richness adds clues these reading front, keep your backpack on, protect your face and neck, neck, and face your protect on, backpack your keep front,

female eagles incubate the eggs for just over a month. Sibling Sibling month. a over just for eggs the incubate eagles female

they live and when they passed through. Noticing and and Noticing through. passed they when and live they considering you as prey. For a defensive bear, lie on your your on lie bear, defensive a For prey. as you considering

The female lays two, sometimes three, eggs then male and and male then eggs three, sometimes two, lays female The

tell stories of wildlife: what they are eating, where where eating, are they what wildlife: of stories tell depends on whether the bear is acting defensively or or defensively acting is bear the whether on depends

year. They begin nest building in April. April. in building nest begin They year.

Look for Clues. Clues. for Look Tracks, droppings, trails and twigs twigs and trails droppings, Tracks, , play dead or fight back. The choice choice The back. fight or dead play , strikes bear a If

and rebuild the same nest every every nest same the rebuild and

pools and a wealth of food for birds and mammals. mammals. and birds for food of wealth a and pools Bald eagles often use use often eagles Bald tons. two and act defensively, especially if it has cubs or food. food. or cubs has it if especially defensively, act and

thermals for eagles and hawks. Low tides expose tide tide expose tides Low hawks. and eagles for thermals 9 ft across and weigh as much as as much as weigh and across ft 9 if a bear is surprised at close distance, it may feel threatened threatened feel may it distance, close at surprised is bear a if

energizes dragonflies and butterflies and creates creates and butterflies and dragonflies energizes over the years it can reach up to to up reach can it years the over , you may provoke a chase. Also, Also, chase. a provoke may you , bear a from run Never

wildlife species are most active. Midday warmth warmth Midday active. most are species wildlife nest is about 5 ft in diameter but but diameter in ft 5 about is nest

to it calmly. If it approaches you, stand your ground. your stand you, approaches it If calmly. it to

Time it Right. it Time Dawn and dusk are when many many when are dusk and Dawn of the surrounding area. A typical typical A area. surrounding the of

does notice you, face the bear, wave your arms and talk talk and arms your wave bear, the face you, notice does

flight access and allow for a clear view view clear a for allow and access flight

behavior; approach no closer than 100 yards. 100 than closer no approach behavior;

you, leave quietly, keeping your eyes on the bear. If it it If bear. the on eyes your keeping quietly, leave you,

eagle nest. Nest trees are usually close to the water, have good good have water, the to close usually are trees Nest nest. eagle

areas. With whales, avoid causing them to change their their change to them causing avoid whales, With areas.

If the bear does not notice notice not does bear the If calm stay If you see a bear, a see you If . .

spot what looks like a giant jumble of sticks, it may be a bald bald a be may it sticks, of jumble giant a like looks what spot

rookeries and calving grounds, and critical feeding feeding critical and grounds, calving and rookeries

tallest spruce trees growing along rivers and coastline. If you you If coastline. and rivers along growing trees spruce tallest

etc.) with you or in bear-resistant storage. bear-resistant in or you with etc.) especially respectful of nesting and denning areas, areas, denning and nesting of respectful especially

A bed of sticks: sticks: of bed A Look high up into the branches of the the of branches the into up high Look

poor. Always keep your belongings (backpack, food, fish, fish, food, (backpack, belongings your keep Always poor. to stop feeding or act restless, give it more space. Be Be space. more it give restless, act or feeding stop to

along noisy streams, in thick brush and when visibility is is visibility when and brush thick in streams, noisy along with sounds. If your presence is causing an animal animal an causing is presence your If sounds. with Wildlife Viewing Fun Facts Facts Fun Viewing Wildlife

your chances of surprising a bear. Be especially alert alert especially Be bear. a surprising of chances your natural behaviors and try not to attract their attention attention their attract to not try and behaviors natural

(sing, clap, talk) while you travel to reduce reduce to travel you while talk) clap, (sing, noise Make Keep a Low Profile. Profile. Low a Keep Enjoy watching animals’ animals’ watching Enjoy

Wildlife Viewing Tips Viewing Wildlife Traveling Safely in Bear Country Bear in Safely Traveling

WHITTIER Wildlifeildlife ViewingViewing Whittier: A Gateway to GuideGuide Wildlife Wonders From the shorebirds of Cordova to the brown Often described as the western gateway to Prince William bears of Kodiak Island, from the caribou of Cold Sound, Whittier boasts a spectacular setting, many Bay to the whales of Unalaska, the South Coastal recreational activities and, if you arrive by road or train, a 2.5 mile trip through North America’s longest tunnel. segment of the Alaska Coastal Wildlife Viewing Trail highlights dozens Though Whittier and its tunnel date from the 1940s, the area of wildlife viewing has long been used for passage to Southcentral and Interior sites in and around Alaska. The Chugach people came through on their way to the communities of what is now Cook Inlet. European and American explorers Cordova, and miners later followed this route as well. The U.S. Army Valdez, Whittier, built a port and railroad terminus at the present town site during World War II. Two large buildings that dominate Kodiak, Sand Point, Chignik, Cold Bay, False Pass Whittier were built for soldiers after the war. The Begich and Unalaska. Pick up community brochures Towers are now condominiums housing most of Whittier’s along the coastal trail and check for Alaska’s South residents. The Buckner Building is abandoned. Coastal Wildlife Viewing Guide in stores and online.

Whittier suffered heavy damage in a tsunami after the 1964 For more information on wildlife viewing across Alaska, earthquake but rebuilt and is today a popular destination for visit www.wildlifeviewing.alaska.gov. Anchorage residents, tourists, anglers and hunters. For information on lodging and tours, visit the Greater www.wildlifeviewing.alaska.gov Whittier Chamber of Commerce website at www. Alaska Department of whittieralaskachamber.org Photos Bald eagle cover & kittiwake rookery ©Gerry Sanger • Eagle w/chick ©Bob Armstrong • Fish and Game or email the chamber at All other photos © ADF&G. [email protected]. Watch Our Wildlife WHITTIER WildlifeWildlife ViewingViewing SitesSites

1 Billings Creek Portage Pass Trail offers hikers spectacular views of Decision Point Portage Glacier, in fact it’s the area’s only established trail that Trinity Point State Marine Park still has a view of the receding ice. To find the trailhead, cross 7 the railroad tracks near the Whittier-side tunnel staging area Learnard Glacier and follow the signs. The trail, an old mining road, begins Maynard Mountain Passage Canal 6 in dense lowland thickets and climbs for about a mile to a Shotgun Cove ANTON ANDERSON promontory with bird’s-eye views of the glacier to the west and MEMORIAL TUNNEL Passage Canal to the east. It then descends half a mile to Divide 2 4 5 Portage Lake Cove Creek Lake where a beaver dam occupies the lake’s far edge and 1 Whittier Creek harlequin ducks may be seen diving for food. Intrepid hikers 3 Divide Lake ready to hoof it another mile down to Portage Lake should 8 veer left after Divide Lake. Veer right and the trail soon ends at the edge of a clear mountain stream. Look for mountain goats Bard Peak Blackstone on nearby hillsides, listen for the marmot’s whistle and enjoy Bay the songs of yellow-rumped and Wilson’s warbler, hermit and Portage Glacier varied thrush and fox and golden-crowned sparrow. Black- Whittier Glacier legged kittiwakes and glaucous-winged gulls often travel back and forth between their Passage Canal colony and Portage paved road Lake. During spring migration, many species of birds stream paved road 1. Portage Pass Trail 3 hrs-half day* * 5. Lu Young Park 0.5 hr gravel road through Portage Pass crossing the coastal mountains into 1. Portage Pass Trail 3 hrs-half day 5. Lu Young Park 0.5 hr gravel road trail western Alaska. Listen for the unearthly cries of sandhill cranes ------trail Map is for locator reference only, among the migrating flocks. Due to the elevation gain, snows 2. Multi Use Path 2 hrs Map is for locator reference only, 2. Multi Use Path 2 hrs 6. 6. EmeraldEmerald CoveCove Trail Trail half half toto fullfull dayday not for navigational use. may persist on the trail into late spring or early summer. not for navigational use. HikingHiking Trails Trails A multi-use path 2 begins near the tunnel entrance, 3. 3. HorsetailHorsetail Falls Falls Trail Trail 3 3hrs hrs 7. 7. Seabird Seabird RookeryColony halfhalf dayday winds around the head of the bay and runs through town CampingCamping alongside the small boat harbor. Marine mammals, including Scenic Scenic Views Views 4. 4. Shotgun Shotgun Cove Cove Road Road 1 1hr hr 8. 8. Blackstone Blackstone BayBay full full dayday oror moremore harbor porpoises and killer and humpback whales, occasionally ** SuggestedSuggested timetime atat location.location. cruise up Passage Canal where depths dive dramatically from 35 feet to 600 feet. Humpbacks of a mile in, just before Cove Creek 2 Bridge, makes regular round-trip voyages to Valdez and Cordova. It have been known to chase a ball is Lu Young Park. 5 This sheltered picnic would take several lifetimes to fully explore wildlife in the of herring to the head of the bay in area with trash cans and pit toilets is a sound but a seabird colony 7 just across Passage Canal spring. Harbor seals and sea otters tranquil spot with a small overlook above the from Whittier is a popular viewing spot that is fairly close to are commonly seen in the harbor. creek. Pink salmon returning to spawn in late town. An estimated 8,000 black-legged kittiwakes and a few Black-legged kittiwakes, Arctic terns, August and September attract bald eagles pigeon guillemots and glaucous-winged gulls nest on these red-necked phalaropes and sea and the occasional black bear. From the park, dramatic cliffs bracketed by waterfalls. Bald eagles also nest ducks including scoters, harlequin look east about halfway up the hillside to see in nearby trees and, like the gulls, often prey on seabird and goldeneyes forage offshore. a bald eagle nest. Just beyond the park, a eggs, chicks and adults. For a close-up view of the colony, Glaucous-winged gulls and pigeon viewpoint at Mile 1 faces across Passage Canal your best bet is a sightseeing cruise, charter boat tour or guillemots nest nearby. Across the to the kittiwake colony (you’ll need a spotting guided paddle. railroad tracks, look for an eagle’s scope to see the action though). large stick nest among the spruce Blackstone Bay 8 with its two tidewater and many trees above Whittier Creek. You can Emerald Cove Trail, 6 approximately six hanging glaciers is another popular and relatively accessible see the eagles nesting throughout miles round-trip, has relatively easy terrain fjord that’s about an hour motor boat ride from Whittier. the summer and watch the eaglets and minimal elevation gain, however, you Look for rafts of sea otters, harbor seals hauled out on Portage Glacier from Portage Pass Trail as they fledge in July. Rufous must forge two creeks to access the trail. icebergs or popping their heads above water, and a kittiwake hummingbirds are a common sight in town. Chinook (king) This crossing may be difficult or impassable if creeks are swollen! colony between Northland and Blackstone glaciers. Minke and coho salmon smolts (100,000 of each) are reared in net The trailhead begins just beyond the end of Shotgun Cove Road. whales have an inconspicuous blow but are found in and pens off Cove Creek and released in the Whittier harbor in Rubber boots are recommended as some sections are unimproved near the mouth of the bay. Eagles perch in spruce and spring. Adult kings return from May through early July and and can be quite muddy. Hugging the coastline, the trail offers hemlock, black oystercatchers are known to nest near shore coho come in late July through mid-September. excellent views and crosses open sedge meadows, spruce and and enormous schools of fish draw frenzied flocks of gulls. hemlock rainforest and several streams. Blueberry and salmonberry You may see black bears grazing at tidewater or fishing A small platform at the end of Horsetail Falls Trail 3 offers patches are prolific. About a mile in, stone steps lead down to a at the mouths of salmon streams and mountain goats on tremendous views of Passage Canal, the Whittier harbor and a secluded rocky beach. Look for sea ducks and listen for songbirds surrounding slopes. As summer progresses, the goats climb number of waterfalls (including Horsetail Falls) cascading off like chestnut-backed chickadees and fox sparrows and the belted higher following the snow melt and greening vegetation. the surrounding mountainsides. To find the trailhead, follow kingfisher with its piercing rattle. Black bears may be browsing berry The sound boasts significant numbers of Kittlitz’s murrelets, Blackstone Road past the abandoned cement barracks (called patches or foraging at salmon streams. the Buckner Building), veer right onto the gravel Shotgun Cove a small seabird that resembles the more common marbled Road, then take the first right heading uphill on Cove Creek Many visitors arrive in Whittier only to leave immediately—aboard murrelet but is often found along glaciated fjords near the Road. Park at a yellow gate at the top of the hill and follow a boat. Options for exploring the terminus of tidewater glaciers. Pigeon an old road bed which quickly turns into a boardwalk trail. marine waters of Prince William Sound guillemots, harlequin ducks, large rafts A steady, approximately one mile climb through forest and include speedy catamarans that daily of mixed white-winged and surf scoters, across boggy meadows ends at an overlook at about the 700 haul hundreds of passengers deep and common mergansers are commonly foot elevation. Listen for the persistent song of the hermit into glacier-studded fjords. Charter sighted. Some years spring migration is thrush and other small forest birds. By mid to late summer, the boat companies offer more varied and a birder’s dream when great numbers of abundant blueberry and salmonberry bushes will be ripening. leisurely tours—some specializing in north-bound birds, including phalaropes, Watch for black bears that may be foraging in berry patches. wildlife viewing and photography—that black brant, Pacific and common loons, range from a half or full day to a week on and parasitic jaegers, are massing along The three-mile Shotgun Cove Road, 4 which begins just the water. Kayak companies offer rentals the coastal mountains waiting for a break past the Buckner Building, has several turnouts where you can and tours for a more intimate experience in the weather to cross to their nesting take in lovely views of glacier-studded mountains. About ¾ on the water. And finally, the state ferry Barnacles grow on a humpback’s flukes. areas beyond.