Alaskan Trumpeter Swan

While hiking the other day I was able to take a photo 

of one of our overwintering Trumpeter Swans.  

It's amazing that they can find enough food to sustain them

through our cold winter months.

Alaskan Pine Siskin

Alaskan Pine Siskin.  These little finches tend to habitat all of Alaska. This one 

seems to be traveling with a large flock of Redpolls.  They do migrate

to warmer climates, but depending on food they may stay through

 the winter.  Usually their numbers 

increase around April.

Cold Alaskan Spring Days

Old Man Winter is hanging on tight!!!  We have beautiful clear

sunny days, but the cool winds are keeping us in a deep freeze.  

Alaskan Trumpeter Swans

I took a long hike along the Kenai River today and was fortunate enough

to see a nice family of Trumpeter Swans.  

These birds are the heaviest birds native to North America.

This particular family did not migrate out to Texas or California in the fall.

It seems that every year there are about 15 to 20 swans that don't make the journey out and

stay the cold winter at Kenai Lake until it freezes over.  Once the lake is frozen, they

move towards the upper portion of the river.  I have seen them sleeping out on the

frozen lake in the middle of winter.  A good spot to be to observe predators.

I'm always amazed at how they withstand our cold winters.  They have a 

lifespan of around 33 years.  The darker swans in the photos are cygnets, or last years

babies.  I was astonished that they let me approach them today, I think the warm 

sunshine kept them from swimming off.

Eagle Survival...

A pair of eagles on the Kenai River having a tug of war over who

gets to eat the meal.  Amazingly the younger bird on the left

manages to steal the meal. 

Fresh March Snowfall....

Today we were blessed with a blanket of fresh snowfall.  

Everything looks so beautiful and clean.

This photo features some Club Moss.

The Beauty of a Fallen Tree....

Love the abstract shapes and textures.