Another bird found in Denali National Park, the Willow Ptarmigan. This is summer coloration but in the winter it is almost entirely white. Occasionally called the Willow Grouse it is one of the strangest calls of any bird I have heard. I was thrilled to see this new species for me several times in Alaska. I would like to see one in the winter, unfortunately that would mean that it is also cold.
Stealth Bird Week (Don't tell Dennis - he won't notice until Thursday) /
Going through shots from Alaska and Florida - I am engaged in cleaning up, re-labeling and processing overlooks photos. I started with 2019 which includes the trip to Alaska and two to Florida so lots of birds. Hence 2026’s second and most welcome Bird Week. First up a beautiful little “understory” bird the Swainson Thrush. This bird was photographed in the eastern edge of Denali National Park.
Sunday Scripture: Photo from Southeast Virginia /
On a wing and a prayer /
Is a famous book and that is what we felt like in this plane and with this landing strip on our way to walk with the bears in Alaska. What an adventure. I called it our “Grizzly Taxi” though I am very grateful none of them climbed aboard.
Old Store /
This store is in Raleigh on the East side of town. I don’t recall the exact spot but I was out in the evening hunting for murals and signs when I ran across this one. It is a restaurant now but had been a grocery store for many years.
Pretty /
This delightful flower was found deep in the Corkscrew Swamp in Florida. I, of course, do not know what it is. However, my trusty iPhone ID service says it is a Water Hyacinth
Enormous Power /
Yellowstone Falls is a wonder in size and volume and sound. Not to be missed at Yellowstone National Park.
Tetons /
One of the very popular places for a photograph - there are thousands of these. However, did you note the bison? That exact bison in that exact pose is unique. Wow, coupled with the grass at that precise height equals a totally unusual photo presented today.
Craters of the Moon National Monument - last ones /
Well worth a stop if you are in south eastern Utah. A git out of the way for most trips but a unique place. That uniqueness includes one massive tree atop a dome of cinder in an arid land.
Sunday Scripture: Photo is from Alaska, near Haines on the Chilkoot Inlet, 11 in the evening late June /
Wild Animal Week .6 /
Just one more shot of the bears, a mom and two three year old cubs on their last year with mom.
Wild Animal Week .5 /
Steller sea lions are the largest members of the Otariid, or “eared seal,” family. Female sea lions average seven feet in length and about 600 pounds. Male sea lions, slightly longer at nine feet, weigh more than twice as much as females at an average of 1,500 pounds with “beach masters” reaching up to 2,400 pounds. Our ferry captain sailed close to this one, a well-known sea lion that is seen here most of the time. He even had a name for this massive seal but I don’t recall the name, perhaps, Jabba the Hutt. Two smaller harbor seals are sharing his perch.
Wild Animal Week .4 /
Orcas. We were traveling back from Juneau to Haines by ferry late in the evening. thanks to the long days we could still see a bit even though it was well past ten. As we traveled we saw a pod of Orcas, five I think. And they stayed abreast of us for more than 30 minutes or in photo-speak, 200 shots. These were not the only Orcas we saw in Alaska but by far the best and longest viewing time. What a treat.
Wild Animal Week .3 /
Big Bear. When they stand, we were told by the guide, they want to see better. Also the intimidation factor adds in if they see something that they don’t like. This bear was about 40 feet from me and, yes, I was intimidated. The bear stood for maybe a minute or minute and a half and just stared at our small party of five but gave us no cause for alarm. A magnificent sight that afternoon on Katmi National Park and Reserve’s coastline. We saw 8 bears that day.
Wild Animal Week .2 /
Elk are beautiful animals and their antlers can reach proportions that seem to defy balance. There are places, like some golf courses, south entrance to the GSMNP, and the nothern reaches of Yellowstone where they gather around buildings and roads and they are ok to see in that setting but when you find a lone animal in the woods while on a hike and listen to him bugling you are mesmerized by them. This bull elk was a treat to watch from a safe distance for several minutes on a trail in Yellowstone.
Wow, what luck, today is the first day of Wild Animal Week! /
I know you thought it would never come, the wait was unbearable. Yet it is here. Stay tuned for the Great Wild Animal Week coming right at you.
A five year-old grizzly (guide guessed his age) along the coast of Kenai National Park in Alaska.
Sunday Scripture: Photo is from an early morning in Central Alaska /
Old SC Crossroads /
I don’t recall the exact place, east of 95 and slightly north I-40. Two old stores, a closed RR station and three or four houses and a storage barn. That is all that is left.
Depot /
This old, small train station is in Winfall, VA a bit south and east of Lynchburg, I think.
Siege of 96 /
Nope, not a year but the name of a town in SC and the siege is one of the battles of the American Revolutionary War. In celebration of the 250th I will post periodically from visits I have made to Revolutionary War sites. This one is in the back country of SC and occurred in 1781. The British had been driven from SC except for Charleston and this fort in the western part of the state. Gen Greene laid siege but was unsuccessful as a relief force of 2000 men arrived from Charleston and he was forced to abandon the siege. Want to know more?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Ninety_Six
The road “Over the Mountains” still visible for many miles
Replica Fort
Some of a series of ditches dug by the American forces to get closer to the fort
Tower was built to fire down into the fort and protect the sappers.