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!!!!  

Photos of My Visit to Seward Last Weekend...

On my last weekend of Spring Break, I made a trip to Seward Alaska.

I love to go beachcombing, so whenever I get the chance I head 

that way to relax and explore.

The beach has so many treasures awaiting discovery that never

cease to spark my interest.

Colorful tangled seaweeds and perfect fish skeletons

caught my eye.

The tide was out during my walk so there was a bounty 

of wonderful things to look at.

The sea weed was exposed from it's watery bed...

And little patches of color brought a boost to my snow filled days.

Limpets numbered in the thousands and were 

numerous on the rocks and their small crevasses.

Off in the distance Harlequin Ducks stayed away from my advances on shore.

I also saw an eagle, a mountain goat, and a sea otter off in the distance.

I love walking on the beach..

It doesn't matter to me where it is, it's always fun to explore!!

You Know its Spring In Alaska When?

When the eagle is actually sitting on the

 "Eagle Tree"

This tree is pretty empty during the cold winter months.

Now that warmer air is moving in, there is actually time for them to sit and enjoy

the warm sunshine.

When you find a tuft of moose hair hanging on a twig.

That can only mean one thing....the moose are starting to loose their winter coats!

No need for all that warmth in the land of the midnight sun.

When little birds like chickadees and nuthatches

 start checking out the bird house.

When there are little avalanches on south facing slopes.

When some of the lake ice starts to recede.

 Soon the migratory birds 

will be making their way back to Alaska.  

This year we had a couple of swan and duck families stay the winter.

And last and I think most important is that the rabbits are starting to

show a hint of brown in their ears!!

That's when you know spring is truly on its way!!!

Crows, Ravens, Iditarod, Northern Lights, and of Course Snow!!

It's been ages since I have posted on my blog!!!
I have been so busy with work

and the days have just flown by,  I can't believe it's already March!!

I hope you enjoy this mixed up little post filled with some photos that will 

fill you in on what I have been up to.

Every winter I try to sneak up on ravens and crows and take pictures 

of them.  They are very wary and it's tough to get close to them.

As you can see from the first photo if you offer a crow a french fry you might just

get a nibble.  This particular crow was so pleased with his prize!!!

The bottom photo is of a raven.  I have been trying to get close to one of these

for over a year.  They look almost exactly the same as a crow, but larger.  

These birds are very smart and they don't let you get very close!

I have been taking walks with my camera, even though it's still 

pretty cold out.  We were down to about -3 below last night in

Cooper Landing.  It's still very cold in Alaska and spring

is still several months away.  We have had a record snowfall this winter
so I'm wishing for a really warm summer!

Of course when you live in Alaska there is no getting away from moose!

They are starting to feel the long winter and I'm sure they are just as 

anxious as I to be done with it and see green grass again!

This bottom photo was taken on the shores of Kenai, where the river meets the

ocean!  As you can see, it's still icy!

I'm sure other parts of the United States are witnessing cherry blossoms

and tulips, but not us!!

While I was in Kenai, I took this photo of the Russian Orthodox Church.

There are several Russian Orthodox Churches on the Peninsula and

they are all very beautiful.

The surrounding area reminded me of snowy sand dunes. White 

wastelands of snow instead of sand.

At night the active suns solar flares have brought the Northern Lights to our doorstep.

Beautiful moving sheets of green in the sky.  

This is one of my first Northern Light photos, and it gives you an idea of what they

look like.  

I also have spent a lot of my time watching the last great race on earth, 

the Iditarod.

It's become a very big event in Alaska!!

This race starts in Anchorage and many Alaska Natives come in from remote

villages to enjoy the activities.  

I am always amazed at the beautiful clothing the Eskimos wear.  An assortment

of different furs, beads and headdresses.  All handmade with 

 the up most of care.  

Next year I'm going to take a couple of days and photograph the different 

parkas that the Natives wear to town.  

  

The hats alone will keep me busy!!

And then there are snow sculptures!!!!

And fur auctions!!!

And at the end of the day........there is usually a wonderful sunset in

this land of cold!!!  Maybe tonight I will be treated to another 

round of Northern Lights!

This land of cold really captures your heart!!

Now I hope that spring will warm it!!!