Aialik Bay: Ending the Trip

On Saturday, we finally met up with the Inventory and Monitoring crew that was working to collect data on different kinds of near shore environments. I spent my morning with a crew of three, collecting a myriad of data on the Rocky Nearshore Ecosystem. My afternoon was spent with a crew of two collecting data on locations of black oyster catcher nests. We had a blast, going in and out of every cove and bay in a small zodiac boat. We even motored into a small sea cave to experience the moment. It was truly amazing, and the number of times I thought ‘I am actually living my dream right now’ was not countable. My focus on this trip was video, so I am limited on the stills I did get. I’m excited to share the footage when I can, because the work these biologists get to do is incredibly interesting!

John collects algae distribution data on a Rocky intertidal shore in Kenai Fjords National Park on Saturday, June 10, 2015.

Benjamin and John Collect algae distribution data on a Rocky intertidal shore in Kenai Fjords National Park on Saturday, June 10, 2015.

Sarah collects tube feet samples from a Pycnopodia helianthoides, otherwise known as a sunflower star in Aialik Bay in Kenai Fjords National Park on Saturday, June 20, 2015. Sarah is a Scientist from New Mexico participating in the Inventory and Monitoring Near Shore Project in the Alaska region, which aims to collect yearly data from a variety of near shore ecosystems through out Alaska.

Elisa Weiss looks at data of past nest locations of Black Oyster Catchers in Kenai Fjords National Park. Elisa is a biologist from Hawaii participating in the Inventory and Monitoring Near Shore Project in the Alaska region, which aims to collect yearly data from a variety of near shore ecosystems through out Alaska.

Elisa Weiss scans Squab Island for a nest of Black Oyster Catchers in Kenai Fjords National Park.Elisa is a biologist from Hawaii participating in the Inventory and Monitoring Near Shore Project in the Alaska region, which aims to collect yearly data from a variety of near shore ecosystems through out Alaska.

A Rock garden in Coleman Bay. Saturday, June 20, 2015.

We also spotted this incredible eagle with a salmon on the BLOY (Black Oyster Catcher) surveys.

A Bald eagle transports it's silver salmon kill in Aialik Bay, Kenai Fjords National Park on Saturday, June 20, 2015. — A Bald eagle transports it’s silver salmon kill in Aialik Bay, Kenai Fjords National Park on Saturday, June 20, 2015.

Sunday, we headed home, but stopped at the amazing Chiswell Islands on the way back. It was something that I didn’t even think existed. There’s literally one called the “bee hive” because of the thousands of birds that make it their home. It was layers and layers of birds. The higher you looked up, the more you saw. Puffins circling at the highest heights, kittiwakes and murres distributed along the different rocky areas that crawled in and out of caves and foliage. We also got to see the rookery, where Stellar Sea Lions have their babies. At this point in the trip, I was on sensory over load, barely able to take in all the amazing things around me. At one point I put my camera down and thought this actually isn’t real. But, oh Kaiti, it is real. And my next adventure is to the coast of Katmai National Park. A place where very few people get to go. I think I need to mentally prepare…