Bears Birds and SeaLions

This morning we visited Koni Peninsula, a mountainous region to the south-east of the town of Magadan in the Sea of Okhostk. Approximately one third of it is protected by it inclusion in the Magadanskiy Zapovednik (a Federal Nature Reserve). This reserve protects among other animals, Brown Bear and Snow Sheep. I was delighted to get an image of a brown bear on the beach, but it's been knocked off being blipped because of later activities!

We headed up to the Yamiskye Islands in the afternoon, having to fight our way, in our kayaks, across a fierce tidal current to get there. Very picturesque, wonderful reflections of craggy peaks and nesting kittiwakes and guillemots, plus there were more Stellar SeaLions and seals; boisterous and playful. I was very wary after the encounter at Iony Island a few days ago! There were maybe 50 or 60 in the water, having a regular rough and tumble and being very interested in the zodiacs and kayaks; too interested for my liking. However, none of them tipped our kayaks, and we didn't end up having a totally wet close-encounter. Phew!

In the evening we had another visit to the islands, all by zodiacs and landing not allowed, to see the return to the islands of the thousands of Least and Crested auklets; a phenomenal nightly occurrence and such a privilege to see.

I've chosen the close-encounter-with-stellarsealion image. It was a close call between the bear and the birds though! What a day :) Lucky huh.