Hoarfrost on tree branch

As the winter wanes and the days get longer, Alaska undergoes a transformation.  Moose appear in abundance just before the snows disappear, to raise their young. Willows begin to bud, their downy blooms shimmering with new growth. Bears emerge, ready for the salmon

runs.  Parts of the state burst into life at different times, turning to green over the course of just a week.  Aspen clap their silvery leaves in joy of the children of spring.  Rivers, lakes, and the abundant streams return to life, trickling through the mountains, bringing new growth.  The seeds that lay dormant all winter begin to take root, and wild flowers poke their fresh heads from the soft soil.

While all this is taking place the people of The Last Frontier begin to exchange snow blowers and snow machines for lawn mowers and four-wheelers. Summer rages on, the sun stays ever longer, lingering on the horizon late into the night.  Boats come out of hibernation and poles expand for the fishing season.  Hundreds of RV’s and campers bustle their way down the highways to new and refreshing destinations, taking their drivers to new experiences and adventures. Salmon of all types come in from the ocean to make their way back to their home streams.  The bears get fat on the fish thick enough to walk across their ruby and emerald backs.  Eagles soar overhead, heading back north to nest and feed on the abundant salmon.
The foliage of birch and willow begin to loose their lush greens and succumb to the light frosts that signal the beginning of autumn.  Vibrant yellows and oranges overcome the landscape, brightening the hills.  The fiery colors fade slowly to rich browns until one day the wind picks up just enough to wipe the trees clean.  Shortly after the moose return back to their hills with their young, who now stand as taller than a man.  The summer birds return south, geese in the thousands ‘v’ across the sky headed for warmer weather.  Magpies take their place, as well as ravens returning south from the fish runs. Soon the first snows fall and the bears return to their dens, fat from a rich summer feast.

Winter descends, and the land suddenly softens.  Millions of sparkling facets litter the hills.  A slow, creeping fog lays over the land near the waters that are beginning to slow to a trickle.  When the fog rises a new beauty burdens the forest.  Hoarfrost has settled, encasing the branches in a glittering wrap.  The woods bend with new weight, arching over roads and trails.  Ever so slowly the weight lifts, and spring is upon us once again.

Picture courtesy of:  Kansas State University