Posted by David Taylor on June 9, 2008 at 12:47 AM
Left the house early this morning for a day trip down through Anchorage and onto the Kenai Peninsula. The variety of wildlife, in such a short drive, is absolutely staggering. At Potter's Marsh (at the turnoffs, not the boardwalk) I photographed Scaup (not sure if it was a Greater or Lesser), Mallard ducks, Red-necked Grebe, Canada Geese with bunches of goslings, and Arctic Terns. Stopped by Portage Lake just to see if there was any activity, TONS of icebergs and bergy bits near the bridge and just past the tunnel on the right. On my way south on the Seward Hwy, up in Turnagain Pass, there was a family of 3 moose. At Tern Lake I photographed numerous Arctic Terns hovering and diving for hours - great fun and beautiful birds. If you go to Tern Lake (it's at the intersection of the Seward and Sterling Hwys), there is a pulloff on the Sterling Hwy where the Arctic Terns swoop past (very close). They are hard to photograph, as they bob a lot as they fly - I worked mainly on catching them when they hovered before diving. Also on the lake was a Pacific Loon with nest, but too far away to photograph. Drove down to Seward to grab a bite to eat, and some locals told me about a mother and cub grizzly near town. Followed their directions and immediately saw the 2 bear for a short time before they disappeared back into the woods. Again, too far away for any good images - but it's still great to see. Oh, and the lupine are out in force along the Turnagain Arm - beautiful day!
Anyway - all this from 4:30 am to 5 pm. Just over 12 hours time! So much variety, so little time.
WOW! We'll have to get back down to that part of Alaska.... Fairbanks is also full of amazing sights. Lots of birds still passing through at Creamer's Field. We saw Buffleheads (first ever for me and my husband!) along with a lot of Northern Shovelers, American Widgeons, Sandhill Cranes, Cackling Canada Geese, Northern Pintails and Green-winged Teals. Last week I saw a European Widgeon. There are also a lot of Swallows; Tree, Cliff and Violet-green, with nests at the field and barn. We saw Long-billed Dowitchers (another first), Lesser Yellowlegs, Savannah Sparrows, Lincoln Sparrows and many more birds. And that was just in one afternoon! If you ever get up this way, check out Creamer's Field! (SMILE)
Posted by Mike Klarich on June 10, 2008 at 7:48 PM
I was a visitor to your state last year, and I'll never forget it. How lucky are you to live in such an amazing state. You have it all up there and this time of year the magic hour for photography last several hours. Keep posting your images, I'd love to see more!
Posted by David Taylor on June 11, 2008 at 12:12 AM
Barbara, thanks for the tip! I've been meaning to get up to Fairbanks and Creamer's Field. What's the working distance up there between where the photogs can go and where the birds are?
Mike - good to hear from you. I actually come from your neck of the woods - Wausau, Wisconsin. Moved up here a few years ago to expand my photography. Thanks for the kind words, if you like check out our website for more images. I'll post more here too, as I get the images processed.
Posted by Barbara Logan on June 25, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Dave,
The birds are right there, or within a mile of walking. Creamer's Field Migratory Refuge has a couple of trails and a huge area. My husband and I have seen more birds this year than ever before, and all within a short walk. The seasonal ponds are great for ducks, geese and shorebirds. We saw a lot of Lesser Yellowlegs, Long Billed Dowitchers, Northern Shovelers, Green-Winged Teal, etc. there. Also a short drive North West of town takes you to an area of ponds where there are numerous water birds, including Red Winged Blackbirds, assorted ducks, Gulls, shorebirds and more. We have a lot of access and it's not very hard or far to get to. We saw so many birds this year that are firsts for us! May and early June are good times to catch the migration. Right now there are Sandhill Cranes and some Canada Geese at Creamer's. Some stay all summer. In August the Fall migration will begin and lots of juvenile birds passing through. We love it here!!! (SMILE) Come visit - we'll have coffee.... (SMILE)
Discussion
5 repliesAnyway - all this from 4:30 am to 5 pm. Just over 12 hours time! So much variety, so little time.
Mike - good to hear from you. I actually come from your neck of the woods - Wausau, Wisconsin. Moved up here a few years ago to expand my photography. Thanks for the kind words, if you like check out our website for more images. I'll post more here too, as I get the images processed.
The birds are right there, or within a mile of walking. Creamer's Field Migratory Refuge has a couple of trails and a huge area. My husband and I have seen more birds this year than ever before, and all within a short walk. The seasonal ponds are great for ducks, geese and shorebirds. We saw a lot of Lesser Yellowlegs, Long Billed Dowitchers, Northern Shovelers, Green-Winged Teal, etc. there. Also a short drive North West of town takes you to an area of ponds where there are numerous water birds, including Red Winged Blackbirds, assorted ducks, Gulls, shorebirds and more. We have a lot of access and it's not very hard or far to get to. We saw so many birds this year that are firsts for us! May and early June are good times to catch the migration. Right now there are Sandhill Cranes and some Canada Geese at Creamer's. Some stay all summer. In August the Fall migration will begin and lots of juvenile birds passing through. We love it here!!! (SMILE) Come visit - we'll have coffee.... (SMILE)