Alaska .... and sea lions ....

This was a fascinating island, accessed thru Juneau.  But, before we go to the island, there is a story to tell.
 

Sea lions, whales, dolphins, eagles ... you've got my interest! And so we boarded the catamaran  wondering what we would actually see. But, first the story ...

 Although it's very hard to see, in the center of the picture is a rather large marker that seems to be located in the middle of nowhere.  It would be hard to believe that it marks a place for ships to steer clear of. As the story goes, the marker is a memorial to a ship that split in two and everyone on board died ...100 years ago(?).  Sad part is, a rescue ship arrived and the captain waived them off, saying they were fine ... and shortly there after, the entire ship sank. It gave me goose bumps.

 

 As promised, we did see whales, swimming with us as we crossed the open water .... and their playmates dolphins and sea-lions (look close below)!

Finally, we reached the island with hundreds of sea-lions.  Several have been numbered .... I would imagine for tracking.  I wonder where #416 is now. Or F1054. You can find them in a few pictures.

The "chatter" was amazing to listen to.  Were they beeping at us, each other ... themselves ....

After about an hour, we had to bid them farewell ... new visitors were arriving. I wonder ... who is visiting them now. Or, are they buried under 15 feet of snow!