Kachemak Bay
On the second full day of our Magic of Alaska workshop, we took a boat out of Homer, Alaska onto Kachemak Bay and visited some of the small inlets and an island where numerous birds were nesting. We saw abundant wildlife and picturesque landscapes. The weather was calm so it was a much smoother experience than our trip out of Seward. We pulled ashore in Petersen Bay and had an amazing lunch in quiet surroundings.
Whales, Stellar Sea Lions, and Harbor Seals
Our first full day of the Magic of Alaska Workshop began with a wildlife cruise out of Seward. The seas were rough, rain showers came and went, and the boat pitched in the choppy water, but the conditions only added to the adventure. We still enjoyed spectacular opportunities to photograph Alaska’s incredible wildlife.
The rough water certainly tested our photography skills. Keeping a moving subject in the frame while balancing on a pitching boat wasn’t easy, yet everyone came away with photographs they were proud of. More importantly, we came away with unforgettable memories. The moody weather created dramatic landscapes, and it reminded us that wildlife doesn’t wait for blue skies. If we wanted to experience Alaska, we had to embrace Alaska on its own terms.
Lisa Langell did a phenomenal job arranging local guides for the trip. The only passengers aboard were the six workshop participants, our two workshop leaders, the captain, and two crew members. With plenty of room to spread out with our cameras and a comfortable cabin to escape the passing rain showers, we had everything we needed for a wonderful day on the water. This is Alaska, after all.
The Steller sea lions quickly became one of my favorite subjects. We were also fortunate to see orcas, tufted puffins, horned puffins, and harbor seals waiting to greet us as we returned to the marina. The day’s grand finale was a humpback whale repeatedly slapping its enormous tail against the water—a spectacular sight that none of us will soon forget.
Eagles
After getting picked up at our lodge near the Kenai airport, Lisa and Dan took us to a lodge that overlooks the Cooke Inlet. Two eagles were sitting in a tree in front of my cabin as I brought my luggage inside. There are large windows that allow for a great view of the inlet and the gulls which fly back and forth continuously and the eagles which hang around regularly. Besides sitting in the trees by the cabin, they rest on top of the large rocks in the water.
We ate an amazing lunch prepared by chef Barb and headed to eagle beach where eagles often congregate. Fisherman dump fish remains on the beach which leads to a gathering of gulls, crows, and eagles to take advantage of the feast.
After leaving eagle beach, we visited an active eagle’s nest with 3 small chicks. I also enjoyed the other bird life and the interesting plants. Perhaps one of my favorite sightings was a young moose.
Breathtaking Scenery
My flights left from Jacksonville on time and I got to Seattle a few minutes early on Friday. The World Cup is underway in the city and it’s a busy place. I took the light rail from the airport to within about a 1/2 mile from Jason’s and Dan’s place. Without luggage, it is a relatively easy walk except for the last block which is up a steep hill. Jason usually meets me at the light rail with his car to transport my luggage. Jason hasn’t used his car in weeks and the battery was dead, so he and Dan met me at the light rail and each took one of my bags. They are in great shape and briskly walked up the steep slope to their house. I successfully made it without needing oxygen.
We had a pleasant evening and Dan and Jason played instruments and sang while I sat and enjoyed. Dan plays the piano and Jason plays the guitar. Dan has a particularly strong singing voice while Jason carries the background tune.
The plant life is thriving and blooming in the Pacific Northwest and it was a joy to walk around and look at the vegetation. I walked to a local coffee shop for a cappuccino in the morning and took my time checking out all the blooming plants.
The next day In spite of the massive crowds at the airport, it was efficient and I had plenty of time to grab something to eat before my flight to Anchorage. The weather could not have been nicer and I got to enjoy seeing the beautiful coast of Washington, Canada, and Alaska. I have made this trip to Alaska several times but it’s either at night or an overcast day and I rarely get to see how breathtakingly beautiful the area is. The coast line is particularly spectacular with the snow capped mountains and complicated waterways along the coast. No movie is better than this.
Once in Anchorage, we caught a small plane to Kenai, Alaska which gave me another aerial view of this beautiful area of the world. The sun does not fall much below the horizon this time of year and the bright light late in the day made it difficult to sleep no matter how tired I was from the flights. I eventually got some sleep and am looking forward to a wonderful “Magic of Alaska” photography workshop with Lisa Langell. I did an Alaska workshop with Lisa in 2019 and I am thrilled to be back for another round.
Felted Fawns
I’m going on travel for a week and leaving Regis with the dogs. I hope to see Jason (my son) and Dan in Seattle tomorrow. The weather may not cooperate, but I am hopeful it will work out somehow.
Before going, I wanted to finish a felting project I had been working on and I managed to do it. I mentioned earlier that I love felting some of my favorite photos and I love many of the deer photos I took in Port Townsend. Recently, I took some nice photos along the Silver River and hope to felt some of those animals when I can.
I find it meditative to felt and it causes me to pay attention to the details of the animal. I like that. I see things I might have missed otherwise.
Final Camping Dry Run and Monkey Grooming
We went for a local two night camping trip to ensure we tried out everything in the trailer. Regis cooked some trout on the stove and it was delicious. We both took showers and found that the hot water heater shuts off before we are finished with our shower. I went first and it was not surprising that it happened to me, but it also happened to Regis. He remembers having a similar problem with a prior RV and is thinking about how it was solved.
The first evening I sat outside, the flies would not leave me be.
The dogs are often reactive to new people and things and they bark. Whether we can make this work is left to be seen. As we were exiting the camper the first morning we, and the dogs, saw an armadillo in our campsite, the dogs went crazy.
I had the opportunity to kayak the Silver River again. I hauled the kayak 1/2 mile, through the woods to the launch site near the campground. From the launch, I took my time heading downstream to the pull out where Regis and the dogs met up with me. I didn’t pull the kayak out of the water fast enough to satisfy Raven who started whining. But, I saw a snake near by and had to pull out my camera further delaying my reunion. The cause for the delay was something the dogs did not understand.
We are having trouble keeping my kayak strapped down without the straps loosening up. There is something about the design of the Hobie Lynx that makes it difficult to strap down. We tried four straps on the way home and it seems to be working.
While kayaking, I heard loud noises ahead and was a bit scared. I was alone along the river and it sounded like Sasquatch was ahead. It turned out to be a bunch of monkeys and it was grooming time.
Later, I heard similar loud noises and thought I would see some monkeys, but it was a bunch of squirrels.
Here are a few other favorite pictures from my kayak trip along the Silver River.
I came upon some activity on the water which I thought was insects. I had trouble getting a photo because of how quick they are. This is my best photo and it appears to be fish. If anyone knows what it is let me know. I tried to upload to iNaturalist but it isn’t able to give a preliminary guess.
Bobcat
I sometimes have a trail camera set up on our property and last night got our first picture of a bobcat.
The momma Muscovy duck who made a nest in the neighbors El Camino was a victim of a predator. When we walked by recently, her nest was obliterated and there were no eggs. She was perched on the vehicle. Very sad. Our neighbor finally used his car today.
Local Wildlife
We have Muscovy ducks in our neighborhood that regularly try to nest and raise young. Unfortunately, we rarely see them succeed. Even when eggs hatch, predators often pick off the ducklings before they reach adulthood. This year, however, we have watched a group of ducklings defy the odds and grow to a size where they have a much better chance of surviving. We are rooting for them.
One of our neighbors owns an old El Camino, and a Muscovy duck decided the bed of the vehicle would make an excellent nesting site. Fortunately for the duck, the owner has allowed her to take over his vehicle and has not driven it since she built the nest. As far as we can tell, she is sitting on four eggs. The owner doesn’t have another vehicle, so he is making quite a sacrifice in hopes that the duck will be successful.
I mentioned in an earlier blog post that I led an iNaturalist project for the Guana-Tolomato-Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve. The goal was to photograph and document as many life forms as possible within the GTM watershed. Forty-four participants submitted nearly 7,000 observations representing almost 1,300 species during the month-long project.
One of the most rewarding outcomes was seeing how the project changed the way people observe the world around them. Participants began paying closer attention to the small details of nature that are easy to overlook. Regis and I walk our two dogs, Raven and Clover, three times a day. Since the project, I rarely leave home without my phone camera. During our walks, I stop whenever I spot an interesting plant, insect, fungus, or other life form so I can photograph it and submit the observation to iNaturalist.
Some examples are noticing the large number red-shouldered bugs gathered on a fence. Because I photographed them, I was able to notice that two of the insects look different (sex, age, ?) than the others. Clover was particularly interested in a section of our garden covered with leaves. Upon closer inspection, I saw a box turtle. I consider myself someone who usually pays attention to the wildlife around me, but I feel even more focused now.
With the completion of the iNaturalist project and some other volunteer commitments, I recently found extra time to focus on personal interests. One of the things I have been enjoying is creating additional felting projects. I choose some of my favorite photos and use them as a reference. The photos I used for the following projects were taken in Port Townsend, Washington. We will be visiting the area again later this summer.
A Diamondback Terrapin and a Duck
While walking the dogs today, we noticed that a Muscovy duck has chosen an unusual nesting site—our neighbor’s truck. The neighbor appears to have accepted the situation and is letting her do her thing. Once the ducklings hatch, I’m not quite sure how they’ll make their way out of the truck bed, but if they need a little assistance, we’re ready to help.
Unfortunately, Muscovy ducks don’t seem to have much success raising young in our neighborhood. On the rare occasions when ducklings hatch, predators usually pick them off one by one until none remain. It’s a harsh reality of nature, but I’m hoping this determined mother beats the odds. There are plenty of challenges ahead for her and her ducklings.
Meanwhile, Regis had a wildlife encounter of his own today. While visiting his boat at the marina, he spotted a Diamondback Terrapin. Growing up in Maryland, we know this brackish-water turtle well as the mascot of the University of Maryland. What makes the Diamondback Terrapin especially remarkable is its ability to thrive in environments where fresh water and salt water mix.
Despite spending countless hours outdoors, I’ve never seen a Diamondback Terrapin in the wild, so I have to admit I’m a little envious. Regis was lucky enough to have the encounter while I wasn’t there. Maybe my turn will come one day.
A Photograph, an Illustration, and a Shared Love of Wildlife
About a year and a half ago, an illustrator contacted me to ask permission to use one of my photos as a reference for an illustration in an upcoming book. In exchange, we agreed I would receive copies of the finished book. The photo was one I had taken of baby Carolina wrens I was raising under the license of the Ark Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation in St. Augustine, Florida. He had discovered the image through a blog post I had written.
Yesterday, I was thrilled to receive two copies of The Weedy Garden, written by Margaret Renkl and illustrated by Billy Renkl. I love Billy Renkl’s beautiful illustration of the wrens, but I especially appreciate the theme of the book itself — how much wildlife benefits from native plants and “weedy” gardens. It feels especially meaningful to have an illustration based on one of my photos included in a book that celebrates the value of creating habitat for wildlife.
Billy also included a copy of The Comfort of Crows, also written by Margaret Renkl and illustrated by Billy Renkl. I’m looking forward to reading it.
Moments like this remind me how photography can help tell the story of why native habitats matter.
I’m using my photos as references for felting projects. I photographed this beautiful pronghorn in Custer State Park in South Dakota. Today, I completed a felting based on the photo.
Linda Burek Photography 