More Kasatochi, and Great Sitkin

More greenery on the gray island that exploded last year. Lupine, a nitrogen-fixer, nice early plant.

Sea lions came back to the island shortly after it erupted. They are romping there now, even though there are less fish around the apron of the island. The eruption wiped out some rich kelp beds, making an underwater desert surrounding the island.

Because the sea was so rough around circular Kasatochi, which has no bays, we anchored in a harbor at Great Siskin, about 20 miles away, a few nights. The contrast was sweet.

There was a cool sand flow on shore. Caught the eye.

Here's a shot from up high on Great Sitkin. The greenery!

And then another visit to Kasatochi, this giant head of rock looming in the mist. I usually feel like I'm saying goodbye to a friend when I leave an Aleutian island. I was pretty happy to be motoring away from Kasatochi when the scientists were done.