Sun Returns

From mid-November until January 21 the sun does not shine in this part of the Eagle River Valley because it is too low behind the mountains. We have approx. 4 1/2 hours of daylight during this time but have to drive out the valley or hike in about 4 miles to actually see the sun. From January 21-25 this year the sky was over cast in the AM so it was the 26th before we saw about 20 minutes as the sun passed between two mountains. We now have about 8 hours of daylight and this will continue to increase about 5 minutes a day until during the summer much of Alaska experiences 24 hours of daylight.

Chickadee Study

The USGS is studying the chickadee problem with their beaks being crossed resulting in feeding difficulty. They capture the birds, weight them, take blood samples, tag and release them. Over the four years some of the recaptured birds have a greater problem and some no longer have the crossed beak but no explanation. This bird does not have the problem.

Small Animals

The squirrel population is also here. This guy does not like for the birds to feed in peace and his job is the chase as many as possible away. This picture was taken Jan. 22, 2008.

NOTE THE LACK OF SNOW. The winds from Prince William Sound came in like a hurricane (nor really). Top winds at 9 AM on Jan. 20 were 52 miles an hour. This causes the temperature to rise and away goes our snow. If the winds and warmer tempertures stay long enough we have a big melt down and the ice resulting is really bad.

Two Woodpeckers Feeding

When we first arrived at the Nature Center (2004) the woodpeckers were busy cutting holes in the building. David Lee told us we needed suet feeders and they would discontinue attacking the building. Francis built two feeders using hardward cloth and broken ski poles and now we enjoy many birds at these feeders as well as the sunflower seed feeders. This was Jan. 17, 2008 with lots of snow.

Snow and Ice

The snow melting off the roof (we have heat tape) forms beautiful huge icicles all around the building. Some folkes laugh and say it appears they support the roof or railings around the deck.

Ice Carving in Anchorage

This entry into a local ice carving contest is called "Comet" and was carved by our fellow winter volunteer, Paul Hanis. This was supposed to be a team effort but his team mate was unable to come so he worked alone (for 2+ days in single digit weather). The team of orientals (3 members) that won only beat him by two points. He will be representing Alaska in a snow carving competition in Wisconsin the first weekend in Feb., 2008.

Large Female Moose

Moose frequently come into the parking lot to lick the cars (guess it is to get the salt but not sure). This large cow (notice her size compared to truck and car) had a calf about half her size.

Cold entry

Francis entering the resident's area of the Eagle River Nature Center.

Great Horned Owl

The local bird treatment center takes in birds needing care. Frequently when the time comes the birds are brought out to the Eagle River Nature Center to be released. This great horned was brought to the treatment center as a chick and now is returned to its natural habitat.

2007 PICTURES

Although these pictures were posted in January, 2008, they were taken during 2007 while traveling and visiting the childred and grandkids. We were looking for an upgrade on the motorhome and during a visit in Yuma we traded our Itasca for a 2004 ALFA SeeYa. Following stops in Quartzsite, AZ and Yosmite we attended the Escapade in Stockton, CA in April. Then it was time to head north . . . had friends to visit and a ferry to catch in Whittier on June 13.

Eagle River Nature Center

We still have our Christmas lights on (everyone seems to leave them on) because the sun does not shine in the back of this valley from mid-November to January 21. The sun does not get above the mountains during this time. However, a 10 mile drive into Eagle River or 3.5 mile hike down the historic Iditarod trail will put you in sunshine.

Luminators for Soltice

In Alaska we celebrate the soltice (both summer and winter) with great parties. This Nature Center party included making candle carriers, hike down the candle lit trail to a bonfire, song fest, food and fun for over 100 people.

Out our back door

The Christmas scene out the back door at the Eagle River Nature Center.

Lots of people out on the trails enjoying winter and the activities that go with it.

Winter Resident Volunteers

Here we are Jo Ann, Paul and Francis, together for the third winter as volunteers at the Eagle River Nature Center. In the summer we travel and Paul has a guide service out of Kennicott into the Wrangell National Park. He is also a prize winning sculpturer. Very talented young man.

Ice Dog

Ice crystals collecting around the sun form a circle much like a rainbow.

Denali (Mt. McKinley)

From the parking lot behind our church (Chugiak UMC) we have a great view of Denali, approx. 200 miles to the north. The front of the santuary is all glass so the minister really has his work cut out to keep our minds inside on clear days.

Grizzly Feeding

On October 15, 2007 someone shot and left a moose in this pond approx. 2 miles from the Nature Center along Eagle River Road. Fish and Wildlife representatives salvaged as much meat as they could but the remains were sure enjoyed by this beautiful brown bear.

Alpenglow

Some evenings the sunset presents itself in alpenglow.

Fall drive from Seward

The drive north from Seward in September 2007 was full of gold.

Feeding time for the birds

Every evening the eagles, ravens, and sea gulls stopped by to rest and feed on these piling left from the wharf destroyed in the 1964 earthquake.

Storm Clouds Move In

We had many beautiful days at the Bay but there is always those stormy days also.

Rainbow at Resurrection Bay

This rain forest offers lots of rainbows with full colors.

Ships from different times

The schooner is really minimized by the cruise ship leaving the harbor at Resurrection Bay. Note the eagle in flight above the bow of the cruise ship.

High tide at Resurrection Bay

As campground host for the City of Seward our motorhome was parked facing Resurrection Bay. At high tide the water was near our front door. This location afforded us the opportunity to watch lots of wildlife and birds as well as fill the freezers with salmon.

A good day's fishing

Francis and Nick enjoyed a day's outing on his boat and brought home some silver salmon. Small boat harbor of Seward in background.

Fireweed

Fireweed along the road with bay and mountains in background.

Grand Opening of Childs new campground

Smokey the Bear and Red Salmon welcome guest to the grand opening and the celebration of Chugach National Forest 100 years.

Child Glacier

Childs Glacier is approx. 3 miles wide, 300 feet high and goes up the valley approx. 11.5 miles. The Glacier does not calve on any schedule and no one knows why it is more active at times. It appears that when the Copper River is higher there is more activity. We listen to many different sounds as the ice moves, i.e., rifle, shot gun, cannon and then the really loud train wrecks. Many people think it sounds more like thunder. To view the activity click on the arrow.

Childs Glacier

Fireweed

Fireweed grows along the roads

Duck Outing

Mama taking the little ones out for a swim

Dwarf fireweed

Fireweed is one of the first plants that appear after ground has been disturbed either by fire, glacier receeding or snow melting.

Grizzly bears, mother and twins

Male pine grossbeak in trees near Camphost site.

Coast Guard flying homeland security mission in front of Childs Glacier

Bald Eagle

Overlooking the top of Childs Glacier.

Francis driving the motorhome off the ferry.

The Chenaga, one of the fast ferrys on the Alaska Marine Highway. Cut the travel time from 7.5 hrs. to 3.5. Great for people who travel the route often but we prefer the slow ferry because we got to see more wildlife.

Whittier was only accessible by water or train until 2004 when the tunnel was opened to vehicles. All the residents lived in this one building. There is a twin to this building that was abandoned but has now been purchased by a firm in England. No one knows what the plans for it are.

Another great boondocking spot. . . the night before we catch the ferry to go to Cordova.

Sunset on Cook Inlet, Anchorage, Alaska

Young bull moose seen just outside Anchorage, Alaska

Independence Mine State Park out of Palmer, Alaska

Matanuska Glacier along the Glen Highway

Sheep Mountain

Traveling the Alaska Highway in 1948 was a much greater challenge than today.

Transportation Museum in Whitehorse, YT, Canada

Dall sheep

A chunk of jade outside the visitors' center at Dease Lake, Canada

Our favorite camping site . . . boondocking along the road with beautiful scenery. This particular night we had a black bear in the yard. He was eating the new grass coming up between the road and the snow bank.

Glacier just out of Steward, Canada

Avalanche damage out of Stewart, Canada. We were told that in past years 23 feet of snow was the record. However in 2007 they had a total of 32 feet. Lots of damage like this seen on the road and some homes in the city.

Big Bertha Log mover