Alaska Trip Pics

Hi,

A month ago, i had posted here asking for guidance in planning my first trip to alaska. I just got back from alaska. It was a fantastic experience. Fascinating landscapes and loads of large mammal sightings.

Thanks for all the replies. They were of immense help.

I ended up visiting 3 places.

I spent the first 5 days around Mccarthy. Took a shuttle to glennallen from ANC and then hitched a ride to Mccarthy .
Then 3 days in denali and a day and a half near seward.

I have uploaded a few pics here

Please do have a look.

Anand

Nice background on that Willow Ptarmigan. I'm delighted that you had a good time.

Thanks Jim. I had no clue what sort of ptarmigan that was. Nice to know the ID.

hey jim,

Are you sure that's a Willow Ptarmigan? I'd have said a white-tailed or Rock.

Anand - you have no idea how jealous I am of your wolf at Skolai Pass shot. I've spent countless hours, days, weeks, months, etc in that park and am still yet to even see a wolf in there, nevermind photograph one. I'd absolutely LOVE to have a wolf shot from that park.

Love your campsite near the Russell Glacier - awesome spectacle, eh?

Also, I love the Dall sheep climbing in Denali photo. Great shot.

Cheers

Carl

Carl -

I'm never sure, but given the absence of a strong red eye brow and the fine patterning, I'm pretty confident.

Hey Jim,

Well, I'm far from a birder .. but the Willow ptarmigan up there are almost all a rust color, and live lower down in the pass, in the willow - the white-tailed and rock ptarmigan are up higher, like this one, and more of this gray tone.

Females of all 3 species can not have a visible red comb, no?

Cheers

Carl

I STILL can't believe Anand got a wolf at Skolai Pass!

The ptarmigan was found in a flock of around 10 birds. Some of them had red eye brows.
Here is a crop of the ptarmigan in the pic.
Here is another individual from the same flock with red brows.

Carl, When the pilot touched down to pick me up, i showed him the pics. He was surprised and said that they are rarely seen there. I remember reading accounts on your blog on searching for wolves up there. I am sure you will see one soon.

I got three frames, I shall send you a mail with the other pics and the exact location.
Your blog was of great help in planning the trip. I still remember that lynx pic.

Anand

Hey Anand

Ahh, cool - I'm sure Jim will know from those shots whether they're willow or rock ptarmigan .. he knows birds way better than I do.

I've been hoping to photograph a wolf in the park for years now - no luck so far, though I've heard them howling a few times, and come across their tracks a good bit (including last week). I've seen wolf tracks and scat up at Skolai, and particularly around the Russell Glacier toward Mt Bona .. I guess they go after the caribou up there, and sheep. Yeah, I'd love to see the images, of course.

Thanks again - sorry I missed your earlier post about looking for info. Sounds like you didn't need any more than you already got though, that's a great portfolio from one trip up here. Great to see.

Cheers

Carl

Anand,

I was in AK at the same time. You, however, obtained a much greater variety of shots and they are very nice. I KNOW you enjoyed the trip from these presentations.

the fisch

Anand: Impressive shots! I was in AK in May, but on an "Inside Passage" cruise, so little opportunity to see land and/or landborne animals. Didn't do the Denali Tour. You got some great opportunities to see the wildlife. I need to go back!