Canoeing and rafting the Gulkana River, Alaska (Part 1)

The Gulkana River, Alaska has easy access and great fishing. Here is a brief description of the river and my second and Brady’s first paddle on the Gulkana. This photo was taken heading south across the 3 mile crossing from the Paxson Lake campground to the start of the Gulkana on the southwestern tip of … Continue reading →

Only in Alaska! Moose chills in the sprinkler

It’s been blazing hot for the last two weeks in Alaska (mid 80’s).  We went straight from winter three weeks ago full steam into a gorgeous summer and nothing is immune to our “heat wave”. Here are some related articles about life in Alaska: Life at 40 below zero Northern lights viewing in Alaska Moose … Continue reading →

Deep Sea Fishing in Alaska (Kenai Peninsula)

It’s the time of year when recreational sport fishing in Alaska really takes off again. Here are a few photos of a recreational fishing trip I made with friends two years ago.   Here we are with hands full of yelloweye. Here we are with some rock fish or “black beauty” as they are affectionately … Continue reading →

Adaptations to the cold: Ever wonder how animals and plants survive in harsh environments?

Living in Alaska, or anywhere, you get accustomed to what is around you. You don’t think much about it.  You even take it for granted sometimes.  However, if you look more closely there is usually a fair amount of fascinating, amazing, phenomenal, awesome stuff going on. For me one of those things is how life … Continue reading →

Alaska Awakening: Join us in spring for the northern lights, running huskies, and glaciers

The two most common attractions for visitors to Alaska are the Aurora Borealis (northern lights) and seeing the midnight sun. It’s hard to decide between these incredible bits of nature. I am here to help you with your Alaska travel decision. First, you need to to travel to Alaska twice if you want it all … Continue reading →

What’s a Muskox? Check out these pre-historic animals that roam in the far north

Muskox (Ovibos moschatus) are native to Alaska though the entire Alaskan population was wiped out as a result of hunting in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.  They were re-introduced to Alaska in the mid 1930’s from populations in Greenland. Their name is derived from the musky smell omitted by males to attract female … Continue reading →

“Why do sea lions “haul out” (video)?”

The sea lions in the photo below were hauled out before we flushed them… …into the water. I was working as a biological technician on an Exxon-Valdez oil spill recovery project in Prince William Sound and the Gulf of Alaska. I won’t get in to the gloom and doom of the spill itself,rather, the inspiration … Continue reading →

Moose hunting in Northern Alaska

Hunting means a lot more than harvesting an animal.  It means getting out, sleeping on the ground, seeing the country, no cell phone noise, and so on. So you go to seek out an animal but you see much more than that.  I don’t hunt for trophies or see hunting that way.  It’s food.  It … Continue reading →

Black bear wildlife viewing in Alaska (video)

The bears in the videos below were witnessed while staying at the Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge right on the lagoon behind the main hall.  Black bears frequently walk the shores as paths between feeding areas.  They do not see humans as a food source in this area (yet) so they are not bothered by our … Continue reading →