They are up there, high upon a cliff, perhaps looking down on us.
The knowledge of their existence consoles us because the ecosystem has suffered. Vast frozen seas with algae growing underneath have melted. The loss of so much algae caused a decrease in Zooplankton populations. With less food for fish and fewer fish to catch, the Stellar’s sea eagle population has also decreased. And there haven’t been any sea eagle sightings.
But we have seen thick-billed murres, northern fur seals, and even some tufted puffins.
We have passed rugged and powerful coastlines with high cliffs. We’ve made excursions to wildly populated islands.
We have slept in tents, on a warmed deck, through a freezing night. It’s been quite an expedition.