We saw our first walrus herd the other day (4/19/07)!! The ship passed about 30 of them hauled out on the ice- what a sight to see. It was piped over the ship’s system that walrus were outside, so we all rushed out to catch a photo or two. They are funny looking creatures, with their long tusks and giant brown bodies. They looked relaxed as they laid there, sunning themselves, some of them in the water taking a dip!
Walrus Gang
Walrus on the ice- our first herd sighting!
More Walrus
Another walrus shot.
We’ve also had some other marine mammal sightings, though I haven’t gotten to see them all- we’ve seen spotted seals, bearded seals, fur seals, Orca whales (these are not the resident whales we see in Washington state that eat salmon, these are the Orcas that eat seals), 1 polar bear, and a couple of belugas.
Polar Bear
Polar bear…can you see it with all that white around? Great camouflage!! Photo courtesy of Carleton Ray
Bearded Seal Pup
Bearded seal pup, photo courtesy of Gavin Brady
Orca Whale
Orca whale, photo courtesy of Dave Withrow