Alaska: Black Bears near their den

On land near Neets Bay, these bears were in their dens.  We walked past many bears dens and was amazing to be so close on land - to actually zoom my camera out - to these huge and beautiful creatures. 

Alaska: Bears hunting for salmon!

In Neets Bay, black bears hunt for salmon in a separate location from the brown bears so they can get the big and meaty salmon to fill their bellies!

Alaska: Boats, trees and mountains

The waters of the Inner Passage in Alaska are filled with the occasional boat amongst the water surrounding vast amounts of mountains covered in trees.  Hard to capture the vastness in photos!

Alaska: Ketchikan

 The town of Ketchikan, Alaska is the most South Eastern major settlement, with a population of just over eight thousand. The name, Ketchikan, comes from the Tlingit name for creek.  The town of Ketchikan has the world's largest collection of totem poles. Because of the steep and forested terrain, most of the town is built along the coast. 

Alaska: Bears in Neets Bay

As we drove on a boat through Neets Bay near Ketchikan in Alaska, we could see a black bear hunting along the shoreline.  

Alaska: Dock in Neets Bay

The beautiful scenic dock in Neets Bay where we parked to go look for black bears!

Alaska: Black bears walking around

The town in Neets Bay by Neets Creek was by far one of the coolest places I've been.  It was an isolated town of less than a dozen people that was overrun with black bears who walked freely.  We were able to walk amongst the bears on the land and see these amazing creatures freakishly close.  See them walking, eating and climbing.

Alaska: More Sea Lions!

Sea lions chilling out by Clam Island near Ketchikan, Alaska.

Alaska: Whales off of Hoonah

Right off the shore of Hoonah, Alaska was a group of whales just hanging out, swimming together and feeding.  Its a prime place to see the humpback whales that we saw.

Alaska: Rainbows!

There was a full, 180 degree half-circle rainbow over the scenery of the Inside Passage of Alaska, but unfortunately my camera could not capture it! Womp womp.  This is what I could capture.