22 Aug 2019

Gray Whales, Kamchatka Brown Bears and Walrus

Sailing south along the shores of the Chukotka region on Day 4 of our Jewel of the Russian Far East voyage we had little idea what lay ahead as we started the day with a Zodiac cruise along the Pika River. The rocky cliffs above were filled with thousands of Black-legged Kittiwakes feeding their chicks and nesting on the cliffs, also in the area we spotted Harlequin Ducks, Pelagic Cormorants, Common Guillemots and feisty Glaucous Gulls - the latter being biggest gull species in the area and, as is the nature of these opportunistic scavengers, looking to make a meal of some of the other birds' chicks. As our explorations continued we were approached by a pod of 30 curious Gray Whales. Turning off our engines the large mammals surrounded our Zodiacs, obligingly lifting their tales for photographs.

It wasn't long after we were back on board Spirit of Enderby and continuing south, a sloth of 11 Kamchatka Brown Bears were spotted ahead of us from the bridge. Approaching them we quickly realised why these normally solitary animals were gathered - they were feeding on the carcass of a Gray Whale in an unforgettable display straight out of a nature documentary.

Later in the evening, while recapping the day's adventures our Expedition Leader Samuel announced a herd of around 100 Walrus had approached our vessel. Heading out onto the deck we watched in awe as the unusually graceful walrus gathered in small groups spouting water as the sun set on the Chukotka mountains bookending a fantastic day in the Russian Far East.

Image (c) S.Blanc, Heritage Expeditions