Seward

From Homer, I went to Seward for a few days.  On my last trip here six years ago, I had spent a very long time in the Seward Aquarium, and I was looking forward to a return visit.  It did not disappoint. 

The section I looked forward to most was the sea birds.  They have an enclosure, sort of like a butterfly exhibit at zoos you might be familiar with, but this one is full of sea birds.  According to the caretaker, there are 64 birds in the enclosure of at least six different varieties.  They have both horned and tufted Puffins, Kittiwakes, Murres, Pigeon Gulemots, Black Oystercatchers and ducks whose variety I can't remember. They are all flying free in this enclosure, and it is up to the viewer to stay away from the birds.  If they land near you, you must move.  That said, some of the birds are quite tame, and one of the horned puffins allowed himself to be handled by the caretaker (his name is Nemo!). I could have spent hours in there, just watching the birds. 

 

Horned Puffin (Nemo!)

Kittiwakes with a chick

Black Oystercatcher

Common Murres

Beautiful duck

They also have a very nice touch tank, although that part of the aquarium was fairly crowded that day.  But I got up close and personal with sea stars and anemones, and watched the critters in a barnacle tank.  That was most fascinating, because of the way they wave their antennae (is that what they are called?) reminding me of the flag twirlers in high school football half time programs. (George, I took this video especially for you!) 

 

Video for George

Anemone -- just beautiful! 

The next day, I did a glacier cruise that was OK, but it rained almost all day, and by the end I was soaking wet and very cold.  All I could think about was stopping at Safeway and getting some soup for supper (which I did) and then curling up under the covers to get warm (which I also did).  

 

Sea Lions

Seals

The Glacier

Nesting Puffins deep in those crevices. 

This is what it looked like out on the water. 

Seward is also famous for its murals; they paint a new one each year and they are displayed on the side of many of the buildings in town.  This tryptic tells the story of Raven and the Creation and was particularly moving to me.