Ketchikan

Ketchikan is a slightly larger town than our earlier stops and more obviously tourist-y. However, we were headed straight out to a stop around the coast to visit the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary.



The port is always busy with locals coming back to dock as other boats take tourists our on excursions while others head out by sea plane. The planes seemed to be taking off and landing continuously.



During our bus trip to the sanctuary we had Bald Eagles overhead from port to destination. The rainforest was beautiful and full of interesting plants. Once inside the canopy, the birds began to appear along the trail. I heard the guide behind us pointing out a sapsucker to her group so I tried for a shot. The bird flew toward our group and I could easily tell it was actually a Hairy Woodpecker.



When I caught up to our group they were bunched up at a turn and staring at the trees. Seemed they were watching a Bald Eagle right near the trail.



The eagle was cool and all but several of us started to wonder more about the shapes just below it. Turned out to be a mother Black Bear and two cubs resting in the branches! I could only get a clear view of one of the cubs.



We soon exited the forest out onto a boardwalk along the creek. It moves out across a beautiful marsh and I soon started hearing a slightly familiar song. Sure enough, up on a branch was a very loud Song Sparrow.



Swallows cruised the grasses and Bald Eagles were flying every where, including this 3rd year bird.



It was soon followed by a nice adult, all of them heading toward the bear tree.



Another part of the sanctuary experience, for some, is a series of zip lines that are strung all through the forest. The eagles seem to take the zipper in stride.



We exit the boardwalk and up to the reindeer pen where guests can feed the animals. Right after that we head into a rehab area and get looks at an injured eagle.



Nearby, a handler presented an injured Great-horned Owl for everyone to learn about.



Finally, we were passed through a shed where a carver was working on a totem pole and told of his experience about his art and then back to wait for the bus. We asked to be let off before the ship so we could explore Creek Street for a bit. We bought some gifts and on the way in we had a very brief visit from a Pine Siskin along the creek.



A fairly short walk back to the ship allowed some more photo ops, including a pose in front of "Thundering Wings" situated between the roadway and the water.



We got back to the ship and officially left Alaskan soil. I hope someday we can return to see more of this fantastic state. Maybe farther into the interior or the other islands. The weather turned out to be excellent for most of our trip. For now, we have a day of travel back to Vancouver.