[Note: I did not write a journal entry at the time, so the notes that follow are based on the photos, any data I collected, and what faded memories I retain from years after the fact.]
It had been some time since I last visited Sea Lion Cove – the last time was in 2002 just after I had moved back to Sitka full time.
It’s a place I would like to visit more often, but at 30 miles north of town, requires a bit of a boat ride. Kitty doesn’t typically want to go on such long boat rides for day trips, but today a group of us made the trip in two boats. I don’t remember who all went, but I road with Kitty and Andrew T. brought his boat. We didn’t leave the harbor until around noon under overcast skies. The trip is mostly very protected, but the waves were tall coming around the corner into Kalinin Bay. Fortunately it was only a short section, and Kitty handled it well.
We crossed paths with a family of folks we knew who were arriving back at Kalinin as we started up. They had spent the night (either on their boat or over in Sea Lion Cove).
I didn’t get any pictures on the way over, though made several notes on birds and plants I saw along the way. A 2003 rebuild meant the trail was in better shape than the last time I had travelled it, though there was still plenty of mud in places.
A heavy marine layer was hanging low over the uplands keeping things cool and gray at Sea Lion Cove.
Given our late start, there was not a lot of time to look around. our larger group split up a bit, with Kitty and I heading south to look at plants.
A bumblebee with yellow things on its back caught my attention. I later learned they were pollinia from a fairyslipper orchid (Calypso bulbosa) – apparently something not often documented.
It was getting to be time to head back, however, I also wanted to check the sandy slopes at the north end. I made a quick stop there (I suspect Kitty joined me, but I don’t remember for sure), got a few photos, and then it was time to head back.
My iNaturalist Observations for Today
