Monday, July 1, 2013

Listvenichaya Bay, Kamchatka....................


June 1, 2013
Partly Cloudy
Gentle N breeze
6C/42F

Leaving the small, remote Kuril Islands, we headed to Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula. The islands provide a transition from the temperate to sub-antarctic zone, the northern and central Kurils being icebound in Winter, while the southernmost islands closest to Japan support dense stands of forest and bamboo.




Click pics to enlarge.

The 1000 km long KAMCHATKA PENINSULA, dangling across from Alaska between the Sea of Okhotsk and the Bering Sea, is often referred to as the 'land of smoking volcanoes'. some 300 volcanoes can be found on this peninsula known as Russia's Far East Region. About the size of England, Scotland and Wales together, Kamchatka's unbelievable landscape is made up of two parallel volcanic mountain ranges.............

......8:00 AM and Caledonian Sky approaches its anchorage 
off Listvenichaya Bay.



BEARS: Mother bear with two cubs silently crossing the snowy mountainside...............Kamchatka is best known for abundance and size of its brown bears, also wolf, arctic fox, lynx, wolverine, sable, ermine and river otter. 


Pic via Paula (who has a bigger, better lens than me!)

SALMON: Kamchatka contains the world's greatest diversity of salmon and it is estimated a quarter of all Pacific salmon originates here. In response to pressure from poaching and the worldwide decrease in salmon stocks, some 9,300 sq mi along nine of the more productive salmon rivers, are in the process of being set aside as nature preserves....thank you Russian Federation.


Just in case you're sweltering in these early Summer days in your area, and perhaps need a little respite from blazing sunshine ..................I know you'll enjoy seeing our cool, misty landings, surrounded by the snow-capped (some active) volcanoes.


This small river flowed out into the sea from the lake below...


We were permitted to walk along a small portion of the shore but the printed warning on the Daily Program stated............

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THIS IS AN AREA WHERE BEARS MAY BE PRESENT, SO IT IS IMPORTANT TO STAY WITH YOUR GROUP AND NOT WALK ALONE!


One of our Zodiac drivers was able to enter the river and 
cruise on the lake............



....the remainder waited offshore, and I was able to 
get some shots along the beach.



A perfect beach morning even though swimming and sunbathing were not part of it! Just the scenery was enough. Constant earthquakes occur daily in this area.....we didn't feel them. Back on the ship it was nice enough to enjoy lunch on the deck with the beautiful scenery surrounding us still.

Next time, afternoon cruising Cape Kekyrnyi - awesome sea lions, and we get closer to bears!

10 comments:

  1. Those photos are absolutely breathtaking! And of course I enjoyed the one of the bears. But the water and mountains...sigh.

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  2. Mary, these are gorgeous (my favorite is the photo of the mountains from the deck). Love how dramatic the landscape is. Breathtaking!

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  3. Just awesome! How lovely to have good weather too.

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  4. This is just amazing. I'm happy just to know these wild places are there. Lunch looks good too!

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  5. I haven't seen this area of the world in person; however, your photos bring it alive for all of us.

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  6. Dearest Mary, your photos leave me breathless, they ARE stunning. Those three bears make me feel a little tearful, I hope they found food.
    I have seen many wildlife programs about the Kamchatka, your wonderful journey proves to me what a stunning place it really is.
    Lots of love
    Rose H
    xx

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  7. Absolutely amazing photos again, Mary. What beautiful scenery! I love the calm lake photos, the bears and the mountains. Just beautiful!!

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  8. All that ice and snow looks so very refreshing on this hot, hot day! Beautiful photos, as always, Mary. Have a happy Fourth of July in Northern California.

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  9. Dear!! I want to wish a super birthday wishes to my dear Bob! I've sent a couple of cards, crossing my fingers so they'd get there in time! Love and miss both of you. Have a safe trip and enjoy yourselves. Much, much love ~ Vanessa

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