Spotting the difference in Alaska Birds

Posted on August 18, 2010 by Holly

Alaska is home to a wide variety of birds and with 471 species positively identified, Alaska is a popular destination for birders the world over.

Let’s start with the Gulls. Quick differences in Arctic Terns (the longest flight migratory bird) and Bonaparte’s Gulls – The Gulls have black heads and bills, whereas Arctic Terns have black heads and orange bills. The distinguishing plumage between the Herring Gull is black primary feathers (the wing tips), whereas the Glaucous-winged Gull has gray to white primaries. It is important to keep in mind that these two species interbreed and hybridize in Alaska
Mew Gulls are common on the Kenai Peninsula and in Denali National Park. They can be easily distinguished from other gulls by their small size and their yellow to yellow – green legs.

Let’s move on to the Eagles. Golden Eagles are typically seen in mountainous areas, whereas, the Bald Eagle remain along coasts, rivers, and lakes. Rarely, if ever, are Bald Eagles spotted in Denali. The younglings of the two are a little more challenging. In Golden Eagles, look for two distinct, small white patches on the underside of the wing. An immature Bald Eagle has a mottled white and dark underside on its breast and wings.

Ptarmigans are often spotted while visiting Alaska. The Willow (the Alaska state bird) and the Rock Ptarmigan are found in lower elevations of tundra, especially in shrubby areas of Denali National Park. The male Rock Ptarmigan does not possess the reddish colors to its summer plumage like the male Willow Ptarmigan. The White-tailed ptarmigan is usually found in the tundra above tree line, and often on high, rocky slopes. It can be distinguished from other Ptarmigan species by its white tail, which remains white in all seasons.

I hope I have stirred your curiosity to learn more and to visit Alaska’s birds….Only 461 to go!

Alaska Weather

Posted on August 13, 2010 by Holly

The weather changes so frequently and yet it’s like the same thing everyday. I have learned while living here for the past 11 years, that rain does not matter when you have a vacation to complete. Alaska Rain is not thunderous, no light shows hardly any wind will accompany it. Looking on the bright side-it does keep the mosquitoes away! Did I mention the breathtaking clouds that will hug the mountains, if you get to an angle while your driving it’s something out of a drawing…sometimes wish I was an artist and could paint some of the formations I’ve seen decorating the mountains.

Soak it in

Sometimes the rain will circle around in the Anchorage Bowl up to the glaciers in the Mat-Su area which will kindly blow them back to Anchorage via the cook inlet. It is truly fascinating! A drive through the pass along Turnagain arm to the Kenai Peninsula could very well net you some amazing scenes, my hope is always that the clouds have dissipated through the Girdwood area, my favorite drive is to Seward. sometimes the pass is raining, I believe to fill the watering holes with fresh water as the landscape will soak in the water like a sponge. That, of course, has it’s own brightside…bigger-juicier berries. yummmy. The rain will also reward the mushroom hunter, another big “thing to-do” in Alaska.

So for now..I’ll be grateful it’s not snow and enjoy my summer in Alaska despite the occasional rain.

Joan Fargo

Anchorage to Seward Trip by Car

Posted on August 5, 2010 by Holly

Turn again and again!

There are many ways of traveling from Anchorage to Seward. One can travel by motor coach or by Alaska railroad. I for one however, prefer to travel by rental car, that way I have the luxury of traveling on my own time. Besides, there are many things that can be seen, feel and witnesses when one travels by car rather than just passing by motor coach or aboard train.

Anchorage to Seward is one of the most beautiful drives on the planet. You pass through some of the most spectacular sights Alaska has to offer. This ride will leave you with memories to be cherished for a lifetime.

On your way from Anchorage you will pass Potter Marsh, a sight famed for its waterfowl and view of the Cook Inlet. I often stop my car and walk along the wooden board walk looking out for water fowls and other migratory birds. Driving further south, the road snake in and out of Turnagain Arm. There are many scenic pull out paces along the highway. I always stop by few and peer up the vertical cliffs to see mountain goats and their babies. And out on the other side in the Cook Inlet, you may see a pod of Orcas or Beluga whales if you are lucky!

On the way out of the Turnagain Arm, you will come across the small town of Girdwood, and its iconic Gas Station. Past Girdwood, you can see the Whittier Tunnel, and you will pass the AWCC and Portage Glacier. All three are wonderful stops along the way. Once you make it past Portage, you will begin your trek onto the Kenai Peninsula. This is the land of forests and fauna, and is full of rich plants and animals. You will climb into the hills gradually in some areas, and more steeply in others. You will go through Moose Pass, and view the spectacular Kenai Lake.

Upon passing Tern Lake you will begin your trip down into Seward. The Chugach forest will accompany you on the remainder of your trip back down to sea level. You will pass another small community near Exit Glacier, and then you will be in the port town of Seward! After such a beautiful journey, you are sure to want to relax. There are plenty of places for you to sit and eat, or explore more of Alaska’s more unexpected wildlife at the Alaska Sealife Center.

Disk Golf in Alaska

Posted on May 17, 2010 by Holly

Frolf. Yes, it sounds silly, and is quite the conjunction of mediums. It’s sometimes called Frisbee-golfing or Disk Golf. Not something that conjures up traditional images of plaid-wearing Floridians with carts. Nope, this past-time should instead fill your mind with college students flinging weighted disks into chain-clad baskets. This isn’t just a game though, it’s a real sport in Alaska. We have some of the nicest Frolf courses on the west coast (in my opinion). Small town parks are now being fitted with low cost and locally made baskets. Typically, this sport is much easier than traditional golf, as it requires little ‘form’ to get the basic idea down. Continue reading →

Prince William Sound Day Cruise in Alaska

Posted on March 4, 2010 by Holly

Whale Watching us!

This morning we were up bright and early, mostly in anticipation of our boat tour of the Prince William Sound scheduled for later in the day. A lot of people leave the train at Whittier and like us, most are taking one tour or another on Prince William Sound. We chose ours based on the knowledge of our Tour Consultant at Alaska Denali Tours.

We climbed aboard the “Emerald Sea” and began. The scenery is breathtaking, and not like any place we’ve ever been before. The cliffs have green foliage this time of year,

One of Many glaciers to see on the tour

and are interspersed with channels of snowmelt water that cascade like waterfalls into the Sound. We had the presence of mind to bring some pictures of this back, and they are among the favorites in our album. The crew and National Park Ranger on board, told us about glacier ice and how it is different from the ice in our freezer. It takes thirty feet of snowfall to compact into just one inch of glacier ice. Due to this extreme compression, it is crystal clear and we are told you could carry a chunk of glacier ice in your pocket all day long without it thawing. We left that for someone else to verify, though.

Crewmembers wanted to show us some glacier ice up close, so two of them got a net and went to the stern of the ship to snag a chunk. Unfortunately, the chunk of ice the crewmember snagged was much larger than expected. It almost pulled her in!

A great day trip! A very entertaining tour, knowledgeable staff, and enough scenic photo opportunities throughout the day to fill an album. We highly recommend a visit to Alaska’s Prince William Sound with Major Marine Tours.

Fannie and Richard Keisler