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An oasis in the Tongass National Forest north of Ketchikan, Nooya lake is inaccessible by road and the only way to get there is to either trek or by seaplane.
Located in the Misty Fjords National Monument, it is a beautiful place to spend time experiencing its natural beauty and listening to the loons calling. A crystal clear, smooth-as-glass alpine lake that is as pristine as you will find anywhere on the planet.
The De Havilland Beaver is an iconic plane. To fly in one is an experience of a lifetime. It has been primarily operated as a bush plane and has been described as being arguably the best bush plane ever built. The Beaver was designed to operate in all seasons and the majority of weather conditions; a large proportion were also equipped with floats for buoyancy in water.
A great plane that made the smoothest landing I have ever experience on any flight. We landed on Nooya lake and spent some time exploring there before taking off on the return flight to Ketchikan. Michelle at Island Wings is an experience, safety-minded pilot with one of the finest planes in Alaska. We were lucky to be able to hire her for this unforgettable journey.
Hiring a private float-plane to fly around this area of Alaska was well worth the cost. I was fortunate to choose a pilot who babied her old, pristine de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver, a restored, single-engined high-wing propeller-driven float-plane that is famous and still in use in Alaska today. Michelle named her De Havilland Beaver the “Lady Esther” after a family member. The Lady Esther dates back to 1959 when she was delivered to her first owner, the US Army Air Corps.
Flying over the Misty Fjord, I was riding in the co-pilot's seat, as I looked out of the Lady Ester's window, I couldn't believe what I saw. Just to the right, I spotted this pod of Orcas.
Taken from over 1000 ft, 110 mph, and through a curved plastic window, I was amazed that I was able to capture this image.
Another lucky photo from the plane, catching a breaching whale is difficult, but catching a shot from the air is almost impossible.... A little blurry, but witnessed an amazing event.
I happened to be sitting in the co-pilot's seat when I saw the whales. I motioned to the pilot, she tilted and turned toward the whales and I just kept shooting....
Ketchikan is best known for three things: feisty salmon, idyllic scenery, and an incredibly rich Alaska Native culture.
I found this beautiful jellyfish just off the pier where the seaplane was parked.
Ketchikan is known for its many Native American totem poles, on display throughout town.
Just outside Juneau, I boarded a small boat in hopes that we would find whales. It didn't take long to spot several whale groups feeding. Spotting this behavior was incredible, and watching numerous pods was a chance of a lifetime.
What an impressive sight to witness this group's coordinated bubble-net feeding. This tactic, which commonly involves 4 - 20 whales, is quite often seen with humpbacks. Bubble net feeding is a unique feeding technique employed by humpback whales, in which a group of whales swims in a shrinking circle, blowing bubbles below a school of fish. This shrinking column of bubbles surrounds the school of fish, forcing them upward.
The seabirds have learned that this will also provide them with a fresh, easily caught meal. This is beneficial for the birds, but it gives away the whales' position. Look for the seabirds circling low on the surface, and you will eventually see whales!
Hanging from the railing in the front of the small boat I was able to capture these humpbacks surface feeding.
Dramatic view of the inner passage near the Tracy Arm Fjord close to Juneau. We followed whales here and saw plenty of them!
One of two tidewater glaciers at the head of Tracy Arm, South Sawyer Glacier extends deep underwater and makes for a very blue iceberg. It is the larger of the two glaciers, and if conditions are good you can come within a half mile of the face.
Sailing between the mountains heading toward the glacier, you will pass hundreds of blue icebergs. They vary in size, and on many of the smaller, flatter ones, you will catch a glimpse of seals and their pups resting as you pass by.
Sailing into Skagway harbor early one morning, I spotted this rainbow framing the snow-covered mountains.
Skagway is brimming with gold rush history, unique culture, and amazing opportunities for enjoying the state's renowned natural beauty.
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