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The latest news and observations
from Kent and Bev at Sitka's Secrets
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April 2001
March brought increasing daylight and the return of herring to spawn in Sitka Sound. At the last count, the Department of Fish and Game estimated from aerial surveys, 60 miles of spawn along the shoreline and 1.1 million pounds of herring per mile of spawn.
The return of herring attracts sea lions, gulls, bald eagles and whales. Surfbirds and turnstones, heading north, also stop by moving from island to island, like organized confetti.
There were only a handful of days in March when the ocean was nice enough to be out in a boat. Our first fresh king salmon dinner for 2001, obligingly melted in our mouths.
April may be my favorite month. Daylight is at 5 am and we can finally expect temperatures to consistently reach into the 40s. Daffodils and primroses blossom, hummingbirds return, and the forest is full of singing sparrows, thrushes and wrens. April is also chilly enough to hold the emerging mosquitoes, spiders and weeds in abeyance for just a little while longer.
We receive inquiries for available charters on a daily basis. Our calendar is about two-thirds full and we expect to be operating seven days a week.
May 2001
Even though everyone knows time marches steadily forward, it always seems to increase a notch or two faster in May.
We continue to gain in daylight and temperatures actually reach into the 50s, but early May has been dampened by stormy skies. Everyone knows clear skies will return, and we scrutinize the weather satellite map on a daily basis.
Everything continues to grow in our garden and flower beds. The huckleberry bushes have leafed out, briefly casting a greenish-yellow tint to the forest understory.
We're catching king salmon now, weather-permitting, on a fairly regular basis. The largest one we've seen caught so far was 55 lbs!
We're waiting for the marine birds to return from their winter in the open ocean. Sitka's salmon derby is held at the end of the month and it unofficially marks the beginning of our summer season.
June 2001
Well friends, it's rationalization time. Everyone knows it's better to have rain than to not have rain, for quenching a thirst or to keep clean. And, it's easier to get comfortable with temperatures in the 50s, than with temperatures in the 90s. We are glad the sun made an appearance over the Memorial Day weekend, instead of skipping May, altogether.
We've had mostly good weather days (low winds) on the ocean. King salmon are averaging 20-25 pounds; a few cohos and chums are being caught; halibut fishing has been below average at this time. The bald eagles and humpback whales are stealing the show from the puffins and sea otters.
It's the first month of summer and it's gray from 3 am to 11 pm. We're thankful to be here under the clouds, trying to make a living along with the rest of the flora and fauna of the Southeast Alaska rainforest.
July 2001
Summer's half over! June's weather pattern was remarkably similar to May's.
The sun came out the final days of both months, only it felt like summer at the end of June, with temperatures in the 60s, in the shade. We're back under cloud cover, but prepared for the sun's appearance at the end of July!
Silver and pink salmon have replaced the king salmon fishing in Sitka Sound. King salmon and halibut are still available, but farther from town. The puffins, eagles, sea otters and whales are still here, fattening up for winter. Baby hummingbirds are getting ready to head south, and phalaropes have appeared for a brief layover on their southern migration.
Our gardens confirm we are living in a rainforest--it's time to fight the slugs over the lettuce.
August 2001
We finally got to sleep, with our windows wide open, over night. Seven consecutive days of clear skies pushed the temperature up into the high 70s. August has been warm and dry.
But, summer is on the decline. Berries are ripening, hummingbirds have left and in a few weeks, white-fronted geese will be flying in V-formation overhead, headed south too.
Fishing is good. Surprisingly, king salmon are being caught on a regular basis, along with silver, chum and pink salmon. Halibut fishing is still productive. There have been lots of whales, sea otters, puffins and bald eagles to entertain our wildlife viewing customers.
September 2001
As our summer season draws to a close, we are preparing for a vacation ourselves!
To everyone we met this summer, thank you. Your friendships make our job worth it. It was also great to see our returning clients. We must be doing something right!
As the fall storms increase in frequency over us, we calmly await the new year's clearing skies. Then, it'll be time to tend to the outdoor tasks around our house and once again, test the waters for that early king salmon.
The best way to contact us in the next few months will be by emailing us at: info@sitkasecret.com.
October 2001
This past month, we mostly felt the burden of the September 11th attack on the east coast. It still causes heartache to think of the people who have suffered and continue to suffer from these acts of violence.
When human lives are at stake, rarely is a second thought given to the rest of the plant and animal kingdoms.
Fall is a quiet time for us. A good time for reflection, but we fear no simple answers will be found.
November/December 2001
Oh my, time is flying by faster than expected. Our friends in Sitka, are reporting a marvelous sunny, cold winter. Our friends in Washington, are having Sitka's usual weather of precipitation.
We will be in Hawaii, for the remainder of the year, visiting our family. Please contact us via email or by the postal service for assistance.
Peace on Earth, Goodwill to All.
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