Along the coast of Alaska there is a village that retains much of its Russian origin. The fishing fleet here is known as the Russian Fleet and there are several buildings from the time when this was owned by Russia. The most interesting aspect of this heritage is the Russian Orthodox Church on a hill overlooking the village. One of the photos is taken from the cemetery where many of the graves were festooned with American flags designating American soldiers from WWI, WWIi and Korea.
Triptych Week .3 /
Oliver Tractor, near Slana, Alaska. This is at the northern end of the Wrangle-St. Elias National Park. We camped in a small private camping area (four sites) that was part of a larger farm and housed the host’s art work. The yard and the woods were cluttered with old equipment and vehicles. I was drawn to the old Oliver tractor as our trailer was an Oliver but, of course, no connection to the old tractor company. I am posting it because the model, #77, began production in 1948 as did I. Therefore I present an old tractor by photographed by an old guy for his birthday.
Triptych Week .2 /
Yellow Boat: I shot these photos about 12 miles from Haines, Alaska, near the end of the road. A man and his wife were sitting along the waters edge across from their small house. It was his boat. They were just enjoying a beautiful, warm summer day in Alaska. As I was taking these photos, with their permission, a grizzly emerged from the edge of the water and crossed the road about 75 feet from us. First Alaskan grizzly on this trip.
Bonus photo of the bear. It is not very good but I post it for the story only.
Lots of camera shake I think I was a bit nervous. I did much better with bears after this fellow.
Triptych Week /
A triptych in photography is a style that involves displaying three separate images together, which work cohesively to create a unified visual experience. This format often emphasizes a theme or narrative that connects the three images, making them more impactful when viewed as a whole.
I am not sure these all qualify as a triiptych but here they are anyway!
First set is an Eagle preparing for a loud screeching call.
Sunday Post: Along the Alaskan Highway in the Yukon Territory of Canada. /
Along the Alcan Highway /
The road to Alaska is an adventure by itself. Few travelers, few restaurants, fewer gas stations and even fewer places you “MIGHT” want to use a restroom. But what scenery, what mountains, what a road. Highly recommended. Moose was one of several we spied along the road, thankfully not in the road.
Richmond, Virginia /
A beautiful city with the James River’s white water rapids flowing through the center. I-95 bridge with pillars underneath from the bridge built before the Civil War.
Rugged /
The Rough Riders would be at home here and that is appropriate because this is Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Unit in North Dakota. Not many people make the extra drive to the north unit after visiting the unit nearer to the Interstate, they are missing a treat. The expansive views, the bison and the wildflowers, the sheer size of the landscape before you - even one is reason enough to make the drive.
Pretty ... and Common /
The Bluebird is a success story. After years of decline because of a reduction in nesting sites, the Bluebird made a stunning return to the landscape after thousands of nesting boxes were set up by volunteers across the land. Read more here: https://www.wildcommons.media/blog/bluebird-man-bluebird-conservation-success
One more... /
from the Fourth. The day was pretty perfect at Isle of Palms, SC, and the beach goers were set up early for good spots. Nice breeze, low 90’s and lots of sunshine. Felt great in the shade.
And Four More /
What a day on the beach at Isle of Palms. I was there for about an hour, plus a walk early morning and late evening to watch fireworks. In between we had pancakes for breakfast, hot dogs on the deck of the Owners Beach House and hamburgers & corn in our house before the fireworks. All American Day for sure. Plus, there was a fly-over along the coast with jets, army transport planes, helicopters and the War Birds, old WWII era planes. I did not know this was occurring so I missed the jets and the transport and was caught on the beach with my very wide angle lens, not ideal for the shot but I got a couple of the old planes. People on the beach had scores of American flag to wave at the planes. Next time I will be ready.
Sunday Post: Photo is from the Alaska near Homer /
July 4th /
Happy 250th.
Lots of challenges on the horizon - will we keep the values that provided for this amazing country or squander them because we don’t know human nature nor history.
Photo is from the Yorktown harbor where the new nation was secured.
Almost the Fourth /
For the Third of July we remember the end of the battle of Gettysburg and the beginning of the end of the Civil War. The flag is from Glacier National Park on Two Medicine Lake.
Nearly the Fourth /
As we approach the Fourth, let’s celebrate the Second with the decorations at the Owners Club at Wild Dunes. Please note the giant blob emerging from the left. I was able to defeat it in hand-to-hand combat. Therefore Jill was safe. Whew.
Pharaoh? /
This rock formation along a hike in the Oak Creek Canyon south of Flagstaff, AZ, reminded me of a mummy that I saw at the British Museum in London. It had a gold band for the beard of the Pharaoh and the wrapped head of course.
Ready for a Close Up /
This is Broken Arch in Arches National Park. Easy to see how it got its name. It is an easy 2.5 or 3 mile circuit hike that you start and end in the last parking area for the campground. Not nearly as busy as most of the park. Highly recommend.
Down East Maine /
The coast changes dramatically once you head east from Portland. Now the coastline is rough, rocky and wild. Great swaths of pine forrest come to the edge of the rocks and often are hit with spray from the crashing waves. Just beautiful.
Sunday Post: Photo is from the Painted Desert in Arizona /
Hiking in Arches /
This trail leads to three arches you cannot see from the highway. It is a lightly visited part of the park that you access from the campground restroom area. There is parking for four or five vehicles. There is little shade on this hike but the day’s temperatures were pleasant. Broken Arch was the main destination for the hike, about 3 miles in total.
