9 July, Peterson Bay John, Richard, Mary and Bean

While Roy and Pam were out fishing (they had a 5:30AM start) Mary, Richard, John, and Bean took a nature tour of the area around Peterson Bay across the Katchemac Bay from Homer.  It was a great day.

Once again, Bald Eagles were simply "all over the place."  This one was posted as a sentry on "Otter Rock."  He probably prevented me from getting a really good look at a Surfbird, something I had been looking for.

Glaucous-winged Gull -- Bald Eagle.  Coexistence.  Why can't we all get along?

On the way to Peterson Bay (by boat from Homer) we saw a Humpback Whale.  It had breached (come shooting out of the water vertically like that insurance commercial), but we missed that for a photo shot.  Our guide Katy said it was the best breach she had ever seen.  The whale came up, spun and landed on his back.  Huge. Impressive.  This was the first whale John had ever seen.  What a great first viewing.  Later, our tour guide took us out out to Otter Rock at low tide and, there again, was the Humpback Whale right near the beach.  

Our guide Katy, working on Master's Degree in Science Education from University of Washington.  She has lived in Homer all her 29 years and had "never once seen a whale from the beach."  Our amazing luck once again.  You can just see the whale in the water over John's right shoulder.  It was just feet from the beach seeking out krill.

A signature geographic point is Mount Poot.  

Bean was exhausted by the time the boat ride (his first ever), tour and hike were over.  He loves his Uncle John.

On the way back to Homer we stopped by Gull Island to see thousands of nesting Black-legged Kittiwakes and Glaucous-winged Gulls.  We got a look at some 4,000 Common Murres floating as "rafts" on the water. Mixed in were a few Tufted Puffins and Horned Puffins. It was a superior experience.