Category: Wildlife
-
Hatcher Pass and Eklutna Tailrace
Our 6-day weekend was shortened to 4 days before we left, and then to 3 1/2 on our way back (doggone wildfires). We had fun exploring and fishing in the Palmer area. Our first night, we stayed at Matanuska Lake Campground. Since the Palmer Musk Ox farm had 4 babies, we decided to take a…
-
Denali Highway June 2024
We had 6 fun days camping, fishing, and wildlife viewing along the Denali Highway. C’s new schedule of 8 work days followed by 6 days off is great for exploring Alaska. Two weeks ago we traveled on the Dalton Highway and went over the highest highway pass in Alaska (Atigun Pass). This time we drove…
-
Dalton Highway, Part I
We had 4 wonderful (and tiring) days on the Dalton Highway. We drove well north of the Arctic Circle on a quest to see wild Musk Ox. Our trip deserves at least 3 posts, one on the animals, one on the mountains and geography, and one on time, distance, and sunlight. As expected, we didn’t…
-
Birds
I have been spending a lot of time birding now that I am retired. I rarely write about it as I doubt most people are interested, and I rarely have decent photos. My highlight this week was definitely the gorgeous breeding plumage Long-tailed Ducks at Otto Lake. I don’t have a photo, so Google them…
-
21 Caribou and a Baby Dall Sheep
We decided to let the weather determine what we would do Sunday afternoon. It wasn’t quite warm enough for fishing on chilly, windy Otto Lake. Therefore, we took our last opportunity this spring to drive out to the Teklanika Rest Area and had another phenomenal day viewing wildlife. Despite (or because?) of the many other…
-
Midnight Moose, Pika, and 17 Caribou
C and I took a late drive to Teklanika, enjoying wildlife and the surreal Alaska twilight. We set a new personal record by seeing 17 caribou in this one trip. We saw 2 groups of 8 each, all at a distance, then the above bull caribou crossed the road in front of us. No young…
-
Dry Cabin Daily Rhythm
Yesterday we arose early and spent 8 hours looking for wildlife. Unlike last weekend’s phenomenal day, we saw few animals (primarily 6 caribou and 1 porcupine). Today I am shifting gears to a theme I put off while writing about more exciting things. 2 a.m., South bedroom window If we had indoor plumbing, I…
-
Alaska Big Five on May 5, 2024
We began our drive to Teklanika at 6 am, hoping to see wildlife. The day surpassed all expectations! The only easy wildlife siting was our first view of the large grizzly bear walking right down the road. We stopped and turned off the car, and he just kept getting closer and closer! About the time we…
-
Denali, Susitna River, and Fairbanks
While it is warming up fast, much of interior Alaska’s infrastructure is closed for another month or more. The George Parks Highway is open pavement, but most rest areas and overlooks to the side of the road haven’t been cleared. Many people before us had trudged thru the snow to this viewpoint of the Alaska…
-
Two Days in Palmer
While C was in training, I explored the Palmer area. He joined me on a trip to Reflections Lake after work today. Altogether, I saw 9 Moose, 4 Sandhill Cranes, 3 Bald Eagles, 2 Northern Harriers, 2 Merganser couples, 2 Trumpeter Swan couples, and a Ruffed Grouse. Palmer has an excellent visitor center/museum, though it…
Me & C 