the sea, the sea, go to the sea!!

 i think above i have 3 whales...2 adults plus a baby.  there will be more of these.  hope you like marine life...plenty of it in these parts.

 i'm currently on call.  that may not last so i thought i'd toss in a quick blog note and then try to rest...which is usually the moment they call me.

 otters in the harbor before we left. i really should have gotten better photo's of these guys as they were pretty close.  i was a bit anxious as we weren't entirely sure what time the boat was coming and if we were at the right place.  we were.

 when you organize a trip it all falls on you.  that can be stressful.  i put myself in that position though willingly i guess.  more fun to do these things with other humans and in truth i'm not always the first person people think to invite places....though at this time, the other humans seem happy when i invite them.

 probably reflects more on folks general lack of willingness to plan stuff than in some total dislike for me personally, though i will admit to never having been a member of the popular group.  i tend to not really be a solid member in any group really..i'm always on the outskirts of various groups.  a few people like me and may or may not include me in stuff.

 that is how it is in life sometimes.  my "group" in life where i was most included was probably the group that i'm still close friends with so many...the old emergency animal hospital in LA.  we were tight.

 probably part age related, part work environment and part just everyone really just relating to each other.  we pick up right where we left off no matter how much time passes.

 i do have my regulars that i tend to travel with up here in AK and then we add in extra's.  nice to mix it up i think.  seems like you make new friends and it alters the experience a bit with different people.  makes it fun.  also i like to help get other folks out there in places they maybe wouldn't try alone.  see that they can do it.

 happy that i was included when i was just getting started so like to pass that same kindness on to others.  some tell me i'm somewhat adventurous...i really don't see myself that way though.  i'm just regular folk, i just do stuff cause i can.

 huge ice bergs in front of Bear Glacier.  we passed it on the way out.  guess some do paddle there, but those are big bergs and i hear there are some currents and other issues which complicate it.

 any place can get dangerous.  my friends and i tend to err on the side of caution.  since it was me as the experienced paddler the last few days, i for sure erred on the side of caution.  it does add some stress to have everyone else with experience leave.

 it is funny that after all these paddles, i still don't really see myself as some experienced kayaker...reality i guess is that i am.  i've certainly paddled quite a few places over the years.

 it's the same with the Walrus non-profit.  it's just been a few years, i still feel like a fledgling trying to learn how to fly.  it just seems like others make stuff in life look so much easier. they seem more together, more confident.

 feel at times like i should be doing more, have done more.  i try to remind myself of what we have accomplished.  just always so odd to me how some people have the confidence beyond their skill levels and i seem to feel inadequate.

 when i was organizing the non-profit, my one friend said, you can't make it worse.  you can only help by trying.  there have been highs and lows in this process.  we are still not really well known and what we have accomplished not well known either no doubt.  a few articles were published in the local paper that i wrote on behalf of the sanctuary.  we had a petition with over 8000 signatures globally that i hand delivered to the directors office at fish and game and the governors office.  those things kept the pressure up. letters, emails, calls, many of these were made to anyone i could think of.

 a group had filmed on the island and when i told them of the defunding, they put together a video which i understand got seen by Charlie of explore.org.  i spoke to the director of the sealife center several times

 well, now i have to wrap this up

 pics from the trip out

 sea lions...

 the phone just rang.  i am being called in. dang.  the pups are put to bed and i shall head to work.  gotta get dressed and all that.

 loads of birds upset by an eagle

 and back to whales

 in the distance a big leap out of the water.  didn't get camera up in time for anything but the splash  but that is impressive enough i think.

 we had a group of whales super close to our boat for quite awhile.  we couldn't actually move the boat until they moved much further away from us.

 so much fun to just chill and enjoy the show.

 they are super cool.

 these are of the tail as the whale was making a bit of a dive.

 and then he leaves us...i better get ready and head to work.  boo hoo.  it is time and a half though so i really shouldn't complain.  i'm going to the adult icu i guess.

thankful for:  A.  the opportunity to advocate for walrus, it's an honor and i hope i live up to the challenge  B. living in this amazing place where i get to see such beauty and wildlife  C.  a job...even though i bitch about it.  others are not so lucky