Alaskan Redpoll

I love these little Redpolls, I think they are so cute.  

Their closest relatives are the crossbills.  

These little finches stay in Alaska for the winter.  

The males have this wonderful red washed breast.

These birds are usually associated with birch trees, so they are primarily

seed eaters.  

Pussy Willows = Spring in Alaska

It's a very good sign to see Pussy Willows in Alaska.

To me they are a sure sign of spring. 

We still have several more months of snow and ice,

but as the daylight hours increase it's just a matter of time before the sun

wins out over the cold.

Alaskan Raven

Ravens all look the same from afar, but if you can view them 

up close their differences become very apparent.

This raven was busy tossing around a piece of

paper that he found in the street.  He stopped working with it for a few

seconds to get a good look at me.  I think I was getting a little too close for his 

comfort.  I backed off and he went back to dissecting his

paper food wrapper.  

Ice Heart

I always get so excited when I find a natural heart shape

in nature.  I spotted this tiny little heart on a cement sidewalk, it was only

about a quarter of an inch big....cute!

Weekend Hike, Alaskan Style!!!

Weekend hikes just don't get any better than this!!!

Most of the lakes are still completely frozen over, 

but this larger lake opened up about two weeks ago at it's widest point.

No competing with traffic here!!!!

Kenai Lake....

Beautiful snowy day on Kenai Lake....

Mount Redoubt Volcano

Sunset view of Mount Redoubt Volcano....

Cold, but beautiful!

Wild Mallard

This male Mallard was all snuggled up as the snow 

fell around him.  I love his little downy feathers sticking out

from his neckline.  I bet he will be happy when 

the warm temperatures return and his pond is free of ice.

Alaskan Magpie

Magpies are really intelligent birds.  They are one of the

few animal species known to be able to recognize itself in

a mirror test!!  

When Peeling Paint Draws Your Attention!!!

When I was in Seward I spotted this beautiful peeling paint on the side

of an old boat.  Maybe it caught my attention because of

all the snow....I guess I just needed some 

color in my life.

I think it's very pretty, lol!!

Pine Grosbeak

A beautiful female Pine Grosbeak.  She was very busy

snacking on a suet seed ball.

It's great to see them in our area in the winter. 

Seward, Alaska....

Seward, Alaska on a calm day.  I love walking the beach in the wintertime when

I have the beach all to myself!!!

Immature Alaskan Bald Eagle

I spotted this immature Bald Eagle sitting in a cottonwood tree 

watching the snow fly by....

Young birds attain adult plumage after they are about 5 years old.

Alaskan Redpoll

I had a very cute little Redpoll come visit my feeder today.

I haven't seen them all winter, but now they seem to be

back in my area.  They don't migrate out of the state for the

winter season, so they must have found better feeding

grounds elsewhere....I'm thinking the new suet ball enticed them back.

Dall Sheep Yearlings

Here is another photo from last weekends mountain hike.

I love these little yearlings, they were so sweet!!!

Enjoy!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Wishing everyone a Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Enjoy it with those you love!!

Alaskan Moose Art

What moose eat when their regular food sources are scarce.

Alder bark is high in nutritional value and its also a 

great source of non-frozen water.

This particular moose browsed alder looks like 

it's trunk is on

fire!! 

Dog Mushing Alaskan Style

This photo was taken on the Skilake Lake Loop Road on the 

Kenai Peninsula.  This trainer really has it made, no sled or gas required!!!!!

Just hitch up your truck and let the dogs go out for their daily run.

On those really cold days, this looks ideal!!! 

Alaskan Dall Sheep Family

I spotted this little group of Dall Sheep, from a lower 

elevation and decided to climb up to see them.

This is the photo of them as I crested the hill and we both had our first 

glimpse of each other.  I bet they were wondering why a lone

lady with a camera was visiting.

Alaskan Pine Grosbeak

This is a reddish-colored male Pine Grosbeak.   It is about 

8 to 10 inches tall.  This bird is usually found in spruce 

forests in northern

Alaska. 

These birds have a wonderful spring song!!!!

Beautiful Moss Oasis...

I love these little green pillows of green during our

Alaskan winters!!

Icy Puddles

This is a close up of my gravel pathway covered with a thin coat of ice.

Tiny little frozen puddles of water.

Very pretty...

Alaska Lichens and Moss

Unbelievable snow free walks in a 

forest of moss and lichen..

I love these beautiful little wonders of nature...

Can You FInd the Hidden Heart?

I spotted another hidden heart on one of my walks last

week, can you find it?

Salmon Fish Bones

I love the beauty of simple things in nature....

I spotted these fish bones this last weekend melting out from 

underneath the

snow....

I love their symmetry and texture...

Alaskan Hare

I had to take this photo through some thick alder bushes, but 

you will notice that this bunny is starting to grow in

his summer coat.  Little brown spots on his head

make me hopeful that spring is truly on it's way. 

Maybe the groundhog prediction for

an early spring is true!

Alaskan Stellar Jay

I don't think that "Elvis" has any peanut allergies!!!

I never tire of taking his photo, he has such a wonderful personality

and is such a character!!!

I am blessed by his daily visits!!

A Second of Sunshine

Just a very quick moment of sunshine today!!!!!

That quick moment really helped recharge 

my battery!!!!

Remember to stop and take

time to enjoy those little things  in life!!!!!