Alaska 2016

Beaver, Potter Marsh

This is the only beaver I saw in Alaska. It was swimming toward its dwelling and disappeared a few moments later.

Lesser Yellowlegs Preparing to Fly

Seen at Potter Marsh

Lesser Yellowlegs

Seen at Potter Marsh, just south of Anchorage.

Spawning King Salmon

Seen in a small creek at Potter Marsh

Black Bear Cub Peeking from Behind a Stump

This cub was a rescue animal at the Conservation Center. He was quite playful, even though this shot makes him look shy. He spent most of his time climbing up and down this dead tree.

Brown Bear After Its Dip

We were able to get quite close to this bear. While not a zoo, per se, the Conservation Center has the animals confined.

Brown Bear Enjoying a Dip

The brown bear is the same species as the grizzly. Grizzlies are seen inland, while brown bears are seen near the coasts. Brown bears tend to be larger. This bear was at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.

Brown Bear Coming Out of the Water

Again, the same bear. I liked the water dripping from its face.

Magpie

Seen at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

Musk Ox

Seen at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

Seward Harbor

It seems everyone owns a boat.

Typical Private Fishing Boat

Seward is a great place to own a boat.

Typical Boat Used for Day Cruises at Kenai Fjords

The boats have a cozy cabin and a snack bar that serves warm beverages and goodies.

Sea Otter Floating in Resurrection Bay

There were several otters in this area. This image gives a good idea of just how dense the sea otter's fur is. The water actually never touches the otter's skin, and the fine, dense hair is an effective insulator.

Sea Otter In Seward Harbor

There were many of these sea otters swimming in and near the harbor.

Sea Otter, Side View

Another of the resident sea otters in Seward Harbor.

Tug Hauling Barge

If it weren't for the colorful containers on the barge, this would appear to be a black and white image. That day in Resurrection Bay was foggy and rainy which gave everything a gloomy appearance.

Lone Bald Eagle in the Rain

The eagles we saw looked somewhat bedraggled due to the continuous drizzle.

Eagle Singing on Rock

Female eagles sing to attract mates.

Bald Eagle in Spruce Tree

This eagle was along the shore of Resurrection Bay. His scraggly feathers are from constant rain. He does't look happy (but eagles always look serious!)

Glacier in the Mist

The continuous drizzle made photography a challenge, but resulted in interesting images.

Waterfall Closeup

This was one of the largest waterfalls we saw from our boat tour.

The Blue of the Glacier is Due to the Ice Being So Compressed

Calving Glacier

Large chunks of ice break away from the glaciers creating loud "booms" and impressive splashes.

Calving Glacier 2

Glacial Ice

This ice is very dense and will take longer to melt than ordinary ice.

Leaving the Glacier

Lion's Mane Jellyfish

I was struck by the intense orange color in the blue water.

Harbor Seals Hauled Out on the Rocks

Seen along Resurrection Bay.

Sea Lion Haulout

Many flattish places were occupied by seals and sea lions.

More Sea Lions

Sea lions have visible ears while the ears of seals are hidden.

Basking Sea Lion

Cliffside

A study in natural textures and colors.

Cliff with Waterfall

There were waterfalls everywhere we looked along the fjords. The constant drizzle and glacial melt created runoff over thousands of rocky cliffs.

Horned Puffins Nesting on Cliff

The puffins use these steep cliffs as their rookeries. The young puffins are fairly safe from land-based predators but are still in danger from predatory birds.

Horned Puffins On Rock Ledges

This is a little closer look art the puffin habitat.

Horned Puffin in Flight

This is a wild puffin near Resurrection Bay. They fly very fast and are difficult to photograph, especially in the gloomy mist.

Another View of a Horned Puffin in Flight

Not only do they fly fast, but they fly erratically.

Attempted Takeoff

Puffins gorge themselves on so many small fish that they become unable to take off from the water. They spend most of the year at sea.

Tufted Puffin in Flight

Misty Cove

The water is filled with chunks of glacial ice.

Waterfall Under a Glacier

The melting glaciers create under-ice rivers which cascade into the sea.

Cataract

Another cliffside waterfall.

Glacier Showing Multiple Layers of Ice and Rock Debris

The glaciers grind away rock as they flow down the mountains.

"Cataract Cove"

This cove was a fjord with many waterfalls surrounding us.

Horned Puffins Up Close

Their colorful bills are a way of attracting mates. At this time of the year the colors are visible, but fading.

Horned Puffin Resting

The orange rosette at the base of its beak allows the puffin to open wide to carry many of the small baitfish it catches.

Tufted Puffin

Another puffin at the Sea Life Center. It was really great to be able to get this close.

The Cutest Puffins we Saw

Again, from the Sea Life Center