Warm March Day...

Beautiful plants are melting out from under the snow!!!

Such a wonderful mild march day, I think we are going to be blessed with 

an early spring this year!!!

Beauty Can Be Simple...

I love these spent high bush cranberry fruits.  A photo of last years

bounty and this years buds ready to start anew....

Nature is amazing!

Warmer Air = Melting

With warmer temperatures and longer daylight hours, the 

creek beds are slowing starting to loose their icy 

winter grip!!!

The process can be very beautiful....

Mountain Chickadee

This little Chickadee was enjoying the warm afternoon sunshine.

A warm 38 degrees!

I know for some of you that's a very cold day, but our

days are getting longer and we are gaining 5 min. of light every day.

Soon our temperatures will rise and the migrating birds will appear 

back in our state.  Many of them have already started their migration back to

Alaska.  I can't wait to hear the forest full of song again!!!!

Iditarod 2013

Iditarod 2013 is now underway!  The teams left Anchorage on a foggy 

Saturday morning.

As they raced down the gauntlet of spectators there was 

time enough for high 5's!!

The dogs love to run and all the mushers equip

each dog with a set of leather booties.

safety first!!!

One of the best hats of the day was on this Alaskan.

A fur hat made with a black bear head addition.

These fur hats are very common around town when 

the Iditarod heads to town.

 When leaving Anchorage every musher can

have a guest along in the sled.  

Individuals can pay a lot of money for this privilege.

Beside beautiful hats there are also magnificent 

parkas. Many of these parkas have been handed down

in native families.  They are very cherished items for those who own them.

 This photo below shows some detail on a vintage Mouton coat.  

I had one of these as a child.  Super warm, but heavy.

Over the last few years the Iditarod has become one of

the best winter festivals in the world.  

Every year the crowds become bigger.

And the fur headgear more abundant.

In the end it's really all about the dogs

They are amazing animals.

Volunteers come in all shapes and sizes.

Like this little guy from Canada, check

out his tiny shovel!!!  Cute!

The start displays country flags of those competing in this years event.

Yes, there is a team from Bermuda!!

It's a photographers dream setting!!

I love this little group of professionals. 

Documentation is everything!
Many of them will continue the journey to Nome with the mushers.

Here's what they were looking at....

A photo of a sled...

pretty lightweight for the start in Anchorage.

Little bit bigger sleds will leave at the second start in Willow.

Some of those sleds have little seats that can be pulled out

when the mushers get tired.

Home sweet home for the trip to Nome.

There are many events in town including a fur auction and a carnival.

And did I mention, fur hats...

Hope you enjoyed the visit.  

Follow the mushers on line and google the Iditarod.

It's a wonderful event to help shorten our long winters.

Alaskan Dall Sheep

Working the lower mountainside in search of new

green shoots.

The Nobel Discoverer Oil Rig

This drilling rig will be transported to Korea for repairs.  

One of the issues involves possible damage to a propeller or 

shaft.  I love all the colors this oil rig brings to Seward's Harbor.