A Non Rainy Day Walk!

We have had record rainfalls this year, so when the sun comes

out it's real cause to celebrate!

When it doesn't rain I hurry out to take photos 

and if I have time I'll stop to pick cranberries for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I also go Oding!!!  A new found hobby for me.  Oding is a new term used

to describe a person who goes out and looks for dragonfly's.

It's a lot like birding, but I think it's harder.

The dragonfly's head out to sunbath and warm up.  That's the perfect time to sneak 

up on them and snap a photo.

The colors are really beautiful right now.  Aspen and 

birch trees are lighting up the forests.

Truly spectacular!!

The color variations seem endless!  

The season is almost over for mushrooms, but

I found this cute little one while out on a walk.

A great shaggy mane...these are

great for stews and soups and they are a true fall mushroom!

With all our rain, Alaska is experiencing a lot of flooding.

This photo was taken in Crown Point in the Trail River Campground.

Little bugs are having a extended summer season since the 

temperatures have been staying above freezing.

And rain means slugs!  Lots of them!!!

Not my favorite garden addition, but I had to share the bottom photo

with you, because you can see the slugs breathing hole on his 

right side.  They have no nose so this is how they breath.

Go out and take a walk...and enjoy the colors in your area!!!

It's super relaxing!!

Another Day in Seward

I headed back over to Seward the other day for a

full day of exploring the 

beach.

Off in the distance I could see beautiful hanging 

glaciers.

The service berries were starting to ripen in the woods.

I was lucky to not have it rain on me.

There was always a hint of rain in the sky, but it kept it's

distance.  

As the tide was going out jellyfish became stranded on the

shoreline.  

There were many different kinds, but this one caught my attention

with it's long tentacles.

I love this weatherworn piece of wood!

What a pretty shade of blue.

Tiny little sandpipers kept me company.

Along my walk I saw a lot of mossy covered rocks.

It's been a great summer for moss, lots of rain!!!

It's a beautiful place to spend a day!

Lowell Point...Beach Bliss!!!!

  

A two hour scenic drive south of Anchorage puts you on the shores of

Resurrection Bay.  Lowell Point is in Seward Alaska and its one

of my favorite places to visit and walk the beach.

I love taking photos of all the beautiful seaweed on its shores.

The shapes and colors always 

bring me such joy. 

Treasures from the sea that look like flowers.

And seaweed that reminds me of beautiful watercolor washes...

I never tire of my walks on this peaceful beach.

I can spend hours exploring it's shores.

Every visit leaves me with a smile.

There are many kayaking tours out into the Kenai Fjords National Park.

Kayakers can experience wonderful views of the surrounding mountains, 

get up close to glaciers and see the wildlife in the area.

There is always a sighting of sea otters and sea birds.

and if your lucky sea lions and whales.

Lush forests meet it's shores...

and the mushrooms thrive on its damp vegetation.

I love it there!!!!!

It is truly a beautiful place!

Random Photos For a Rainy Day...

I'm experiencing another rainy day in Alaska, 

so I thought I would post a few of my recent photos to brighten up

my day and maybe yours.

July set a record for one of the coldest months ever recorded in Anchorage!!

It's a year of records, this winter we set the record for the most snowfall ever recorded.

I hope we can set the warmest August ever, but I'm not sure that's written in the cards for us!!

The first photo is of one of my Meadow Rue Plants.  These plants are very winter hardy

perennials, so I'm very thankful to see them green up in the spring.

The bees love them, so these flowers are a favorite stop.

This bottom photo is of a spent peony. It never fails to rain

when the peonies bloom.   I took this photo at our local perennial

garden.  I love walking through the garden, but I never go without my 

bear spray.  There are always signs posted of black bear sightings, so

besides my camera the pepper bear spray always make the journey

with me.  I have yet to learn to take the bug spray!!!

The mosquitoes are probably worse 

than the bears!!

Right before another rainfall I spotted this butterfly take food

and shelter under this bell flower.  This flower grows

wild all through Alaska.  Butterflies have been scarce this summer, I hope 

to see more as we get closer to fall.

The bottom photo is of a male Gross Beak.  It's hard to see his crossed bill

because of the landscape behind him.  He was super busy

eating little chickweed flowers and seeds so he hardly stopped to notice me.

These birds are so beautiful in the winter when we have tons of snow 

on the ground and trees.

The females are a soft greenish yellow.

These birds are wonderful singers and the forests around my house

just come alive in the spring with their songs.

I'm posting a photo of some Bog Stars.  Flowers that like rain more than me!  :o)

These flowers love damp areas so this is a good year for them. 

I'm sure they are loving our weather.

Two weekends ago we had a 70 degree plus day (I know...yahoo!!!)  and I spotted

these little dime sized butterflies trying to get a 

drink by the side of a creek.

It's not the best photo, but if you look closely you can see their tongues (proboscis)

all trying to suck up moisture through their straw like tubes.

Even with all this rain our 

rhubarb is blooming and its going to seed.  I never realized how

pretty the flowers were until I got up close to them and

took this photo.

The seed heads were starting to form on this particular stem.  I love

their red colored edges.

And.....

even though it's been rainy my secret wild strawberry patch has

been busy producing fruit.  These little berries are so much better

than store bought strawberries.  They have a very short shelf

life so they have to be eaten right away!!!

They are a great treat for a rainy day!!!

Hope you day is full of sunshine!!!

:o)

One of My Favorite Birds!!!

I love Sandpipers,

 and Alaska is blessed with several different types.

I think the one I captured on film is a Lesser Yellowlegs.

This sandpiper gets it name from it's brightly colored legs.

It is an active feeder, often running through the shallow water to chase its prey.

They usually nest on the ground in open dry locations.

These birds mainly eat insects, small fish and crustaceans.

Soon they will migrate back to the Gulf coast of

 the United States or further south to South America.

I took this photo out at Potters Marsh.  I was searching for Sandhill

Cranes when I came across this cute little bird.

I still have not seen a crane, but this little sandpiper made

my day!!

Baby Gulls!!!

I went out to search for baby Mew Gulls today.

I found them out at Potter's Marsh, just 

a short drive out of town.

Don't you think they are adorable?

I caught this little one snuggling up to its mom.

You have to love those beautiful feet!!

They are all getting pretty independent, but are still sticking

close to mom.  They are also pretty good little swimmers at this stage.

The mother was busy rounding up her little chicks.  This particular mom

had at least two chicks.  There was a third chick that was off

wandering about that might have been hers as well.

Just like all babies, nap time is important!!

Off in the distance was a baby Arctic Tern,  it was busy

trying to swallow a fish dinner.

I wonder how many fish this baby eats in a day...

I'm sure he keeps his parents very busy!

Quick Post To Let You Know I Still Exist!!!

I'm having one of those super busy summers, so my blogging 

has gone to the back burner!!!

I'm still taking photos of nature and wildflowers,

but lack the time to keep it up 

on a regular basis.

All these photos were taken on the Alaskan Kenai Peninsula.

A bed of tiny Twin Flowers, a Yellow Paintbrush,

and below a sweet little Wild Aster.

I hope all of you are enjoying your summer!!!

Take time to look at nature and make a wish or two!!!

Hugs to all!!!!

:o)