The Sun Brings Migrating Birds and Flowers

Our quiet winter wilderness has become very

noisy lately due to all the migrating

ducks and birds. 

Our ponds, lakes, and streams are full of ducks and

geese looking for good nesting spots.

And...the air is filled with song!!!

It's a total rebirth for my soul!!

I went down to the Lagoon and took some beautiful

photos of the Canadian Geese that 

are resting before they fly on

to their summer nesting destinations.

The Sea Gulls have also arrived, they make such

a racket, but I love them.

I spotted this lone American Wigeon.  These ducks are among the

earliest waterfowl to reach their summering grounds.  They

usually lay about 9 eggs and forage on grasses and sedges.

They winter in Central America, the Caribbean, Northern Colombia, Trinidad and 

occasionally Venezuela so they have come a long way to reach the 

ponds and lakes in Alaska. 

There were of course a lot of Mallards around sunning 

themselves on the shore.

In the woods the Pussy Willows were starting to bloom.

They look so tropical with their

brilliant red stamens.  These stamens turn

yellow after about 24 hours.

  

On the forest floor the Caribou Moss is 

starting to find its way out of

its wintry blanket.

Now there are small mini micro climates popping up.  These small micro

climates are hosts to the

first real flowers of spring!

There are Sandhill Cranes foraging for food in snowy fields.

These birds use thermals to obtain lift when they fly, they can stay

aloft for many hours.  They travel from New Mexico.  Their diet is

the most varied among breeding birds.  They feed on berries, small mammals, 

insects, snails, reptiles and amphibians.

Down at the Lagoon the ducks and geese were busy jostling for prime resting and nesting spots.

Many of them will fly on to the Interior and the Arctic Circle, but some

will stay and make their summer homes down at the

Lagoon.

They will have to fly over snow capped mountains in search of 

marshes to raise their young.

It's so exciting to have them back!!!  Without them 

it wouldn't be spring!!

Warm Spring Lakeshore Hike

There is a hint of melting going on along the edges

of Kenai Lake.  We are being blessed with

warm spring air.  It reached 84 degrees on the deck, and

the temperature away from the house was averaging in 

in the high 50's.  It reached 58 degrees at our house and it was 

still 43 degrees at ten pm.  We heard that its suppose to snow on Sunday 

and Monday in Seward!

The rabbits were enjoying the warm air and green grass thats starting to

peek out from under the snow.

I saw my first butterfly!!!!   Totally exciting!!!

There is still however a lot of snow on the ground and on the mountains. 

I'm wondering if it's all going to melt this summer since we had

a record snowfall this year.  

I found some fish bones from last falls salmon along 

the exposed lake shoreline.

I have collected these for years and store them in a container, I think

they are beautiful!

Everywhere there were signs of melting!!

The shoreline docks were resurfacing.

It's amazing how such little things can make a person so happy!

This leaf caught my eye...it's melted its way through the ice

 under the warm sun.

Yay, the melt is underway!!!!

This has been a long awaited spring and

I like everyone else in Alaska is

really appreciating the warm weather.

I had a great walk today and my friend the Stellar Jay checked on

me as I hiked along the lake. 

It was wonderful day!!!

Definitely a day of rebirth after a long winter!

Happy Easter!!!!

Wishing everyone a wonderful Easter day!!

It's a very snowy day here in Alaska,

but the wild rabbits are having fun eating

the green lawn shoots.

A tiny area of green grass has surfaced due to the warmer weather, 

and they are taking advantage of it.

These photos were taken this morning before we had

another big burst of snow come through. 

Their exposed grass areas are now covered again by a good inch or

two of snow.  No wonder they were in such a hurry to fill their stomachs 

with fresh grass this morning.  

When the rabbits were here we also had a 

 cute Gray Jay stop by for a visit.

Again Happy Easter to all of you!!!

Spring Has Arrived in Alaska!!!

   

It's a time for celebration today!!!  Spring is finally here in Alaska!!

Beautiful sunsets and sunrises are more plentiful again.

The sheep are coming down to forage on the tender little green grass

shoots.  Even my lawn is trying to escape from the snow. 

The birds are also starting to fill the snowy landscape with song!!  

I spend hours on end outside listening to them sing!  They bring such a smile

to my life!!!

In the distance a volcano stirs awake sending a plume of steam into the

air.  Spring is very special in Alaska.  I can't wait to explore

again!!!  No more boots, no more heavy jackets,

I'm ready!!!!