Pink salmon show up in estuaries in early July by the millions. Pink salmon are Alaska’ most common salmon species. They also have the shortest life cycle than other salmon species. Pinks return to freshwater to spawn when they are two years old and immediately begin to change from silver to green and dark gray. And, males form hooked jaws and humped backs. Continue reading
A female northern flicker approaches the nesting cavity.
Life at the nest of northern flickers is at a frantic level. Most of the long, Alaskan summer days keeps the adults working at a breathless pace. The pair at this nest take turns guarding the nest from the resident red squirrel or trespassing northern flickers and taking forays out into the black spruce forest to hunt for their main food, wood ants and their larva. When the female arrives back at the nest cavity with food for the young, the male departs.
To listen to the audio clip, click on left side of the bar. Volume at right. Adult male northern flicker responds to his mate appearing near the nest. Then listen as female enters nesting cavity to feed chicks. Continue reading
A ruffed grouse male moves slowly through thick cover as it feeds on buds, last years berries and new leaves.
Interior Alaska is definitely spruce grouse country. But along creeks and river bottoms, in old burns, in fact almost anywhere where several species of trees grow in thickets, narrow veins of ruffed grouse habitat can be found. Along the Slana River not far from where it enters the still modest Copper River, aspen, poplar, birch, white and black spruce, alder and a jumble of willow species form thickets where the cryptic ruffed grouse lives. Rose and high bush cranberry in the understory provide year round food for the few grouse that survive there. Continue reading
Stellar’s sea lions rest on a buoy marking the most remote edge of the Copper River Delta.
Stellar’s sea lions love to hang out on buoys. Safe from rare but ever-present packs of killer whales, the same sea lions that are so timid and quick to disappear when approached by our boat, feel no desire to leave the buoy.
As they are rocked to sleep, the constant clanging of the bell must be something of a lullaby.
Sea otter and pup
Technically, spring has arrived in the Alaskan Interior, but winter is rather reluctant to let go. So for the past three years I have left home in the first week of April to see if spring is having any better luck taking hold along the coast-about a hundred miles away as the raven flies. I am not disappointed. Spring is in full swing. But the weather along the coast is, as usual wet and windy. So once again I settle into a familiar routine, hanging out in a sheltered bay where sea otters congregate during unsettled weather and indulging in the very enjoyable task of observing and photographing the gentle and photogenic sea otters. Continue reading
Overflow ice floods Rufus Creek as Aurora Borealis dance.
Rufus Creek flows through our ten acres of black spruce forest on its way North to the Slana River. The northern boreal forest is a patchwork of dynamic land forms and plant communities, niches that a few hardy species of wildlife can exploit. Diversity of life here is low but the species and settings are spectacular. Continue reading
Our home in the wilderness.
This post is in support of the recent story that appeared in the February 2016 issue of Country Magazine. The story is about our families life in Alaska. The following photographs are some that did not make the final layout in the magazine. Several Country Magazine readers have requested to see more photos. This is for you. Continue reading
ONE OF MY FAVORITE PHOTOGRAPHIC SUBJECTS, DALL SHEEP
Aurora borealis in my back yard. Slana, Alaska
The aurora borealis displays are really picking up this year. After a few years of slow aurora activity its an exciting change and a great excuse for stay up late and snapping a few photographs. With todays wonderful digital cameras getting great aurora photos is easier than ever. I remember the day when I had only Kodachrome film with an ASA speed of either 25 or 64. Living in Alaska it could take more than two weeks just to get your processed film returned and check your results. Today you can snap a shot or two check the exposure using your histogram display, adjust your exposure if necessary and shoot away . You can be confident of what you’re getting. Continue reading
Red squirrel carries mushroom which will be added to its growing winter larder.
Each fall in preparation for a long, cold winter red squirrels here in Alaska begin a frenzied gathering of food. Their hoarding behavior has very important survival benefits. Gathering food in the fall, before snows arrive will save time and energy. During the short days of winter red squirrels need to conserve their energy. When snows cover the forest floor red squirrels are more exposed to predation and the less time they must spend searching for food the better. Continue reading
