Safe Haven

The fishing vessel Sea Haven passes the Sitka waterfront after a several-day trolling trip in Sitka Sound.

Trollers in the mist

Early morning the 4th of July, these trollers were trying to catch king salmon during the next to-the-last day of a five day opening. Twenty-hour work days are not uncommon during these fisheries where each 20 pound salmon is worth $130 this year.

Co-op

Seiners wait their turn in a co-operative salmon fishery a few miles south of downtown Sitka.

Low tide at Hayward Straights

Abundant sea life swarm in little pools and under rocks at a minus tide this past week. Eels, crabs, starfish and other creatures are there for the curious.

Regal

These awesome, graceful birds soar over Sitka skies year-round, but especially during the spring and summer months when herring and salmon return to spawn.

Aleksandr Baranov

Baranov ruled Russian-America from Sitka and Kodiak between 1799 and 1818. Baranof Island, location of Sitka was named after him as well as many other place names and businesses.

http://www.netstate.com/states/peop/people/ak_aab.htm

This bronze statue sits in a park area at the Centennial Building in downtown Sitka.

Along with St. Innocent, Bishop Ivan Veniaminov, the largest impact in the early recorded history of Alaska came from Aleksandr Baranov and the Russian Orthodox Church.

Evening departure

The cruise ship Silver Shadow leaves Sitka after a day in port. One to three cruise ships a day drop anchor in the harbor and bring their passengers to shore in covered "lighter" boats.