Cook Inlet Sunset
Anchorage, Alaska

After living here over 30 years - low and behold I found out Anchorage actually has a place called Strawberry Hill. Didn’t find any strawberries. Nor did I find any bull moose when I went up to Powerline Pass. But I did find a gorgeous sunset.

Going through a rather rough patch as of late. Hoping things normalize in my life and soon.

Trumpeter Swan at Dusk
Potters Marsh, Southcentral Alaska

As fall journeys to Alaska bringing with it cooler temperatures and darkened skies during the evening it also brings with it one of my favorite times of year and great opportunities for photography. 

I have spent my last week attempting to get out more during the evenings and enjoy the season before it ends.  In between that time has also been spent on building a business.

“The Hug”
McNeil River
Kamishak Bay, Alaska

Wanda’s spring cubs engage in rest and play while awaiting their mother’s return from fishing at McNeil River Preserve.

Bull Moose
Denali National Park, Alaska

The largest of the deer family and living in a location with the largest population of all, fall brings a natural phenomenon to biology with the arrival of the moose rut here in Alaska. A time when moose breed and adult males joust during the rut by bringing their antlers together and pushing. The moose are at their peak after a summer of foraging and antlers are at their largest size before dropping off in early November.

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I took one of my suicide runs (i.e. up to the park, in and then back to Anchorage in a day) and was amazed at the hues of fall colors. Intense, electrifying and jaw dropping would be putting it midly. I simply have not seen this strong of fall colors in Denali in years. With that said, I am definitely looking forward to being a participant in the road lottery this year. I ended up with 3 passes (Saturday-Sunday and Monday) so it will be a welcome reprieve from things.

Red Fox Kit
McNeil River, Kamishak Bay Alaska

McNeil River provides a wonderful opportunity when it comes to viewing Alaska’s red fox. Linked to many stories, fables and myths the red fox survives on a wonderful ability to live alongside people as is particularly shown in the McNeil River campground. Born in February and March these kits were born in a den within the confines of the campground.

Six were born but four suvived and today wander the campground and amuse campers with their antics. In fact many of my cherished memories of the campground are of a particular fox that later became my namesake.

Sandhill Crane
Petersville Road, Southcentral Alaska

A sure sign of the coming fall as sandhill cranes begin to migrate back through Southcentral Alaska. A typical grassland bird and Alaska’s largest game bird, Sandhill Cranes are affectionately known as “Sunday Turkeys”. Typically summering up in the Delta Region of Alaska this sandhill crane will eventually make her way to the wintering grounds in central California.

Boar Brown Bear
Hallo Bay, Katmai National Park

A Hallo Bay boar begins what is known as a “cowboy walk” recently on the shores of Hallo Bay in Katmai National Park. The cowboy walk is an aggressive stance among male boars and is meant as a sign of dominance. This particular boar is well known to those in Hallo due to his white claws.

It’s estimated he is between 18-20 years old. Bears can live up to 30 years of age in the wild. It is thought he will gain an additional 400-600 pounds by the end of the season. This year found him mating with another brown bear sow known as “Peaches”.

Anan Creek
Southeast Alaska

Located 30 miles south of Wrangell in Southeast Alaska, Anan Creek hosts the largest population of pink salmon runs in all of Southeast Alaska which tracks hundreds of brown and black bears on an annual basis. Run by the Forest Service on a permit only basis Anan Creek is a mecca for bear photography.

Female Wolf
Denali National Park, Alaska

We encountered this female wolf in the early morning hours while on our way to catch our shuttle bus for the day. Loping down the road near Savage Campground it was obvious this female was nursing pups and had enjoyed a recent kill (she had blood on her jowls). She simply glanced over at us before continuing on her way.

Just amazing.

Female Brown Bear
Hallo Bay - Katmai National Park, Alaska

Seven days, 1600 miles. To include the likes of Denali National Park, Fairbanks, Paxson, Copper Center, Valdez, Homer and then over to Katmai National Park. An amazing time on a grand scale. Obviously a lot to sort through both in images and in thoughts. And a little over the week before I’m gone again. It’s summer on a grand scale.