Alaska Rain

05/14/2026

THE HAYFIELD FLATS are alive with the sounds of thousands of waterfowl and songbirds and raptors and wildlife!
As we approached the parking lot in our car, 2 Shovelers came out to declare they own the place, and then flew in circles around us, trash talking the whole time.
Then as you can see, walking the trail brought confrontations with Canada Geese and Cranes, as well as a whole chorus of smaller creatures... and much bigger ones in the brush!
It's too early to disturb them; we left so they can do their thing. In a month their nests will produce young, and then they can move along, away from the trails, before humans come to fish for salmon. But first these coming days are crucial to survival for many.
It was beautiful to see and hear!

05/14/2026

PORCUPINE, Southcentral Alaska - and, a VERY WELL HIDDEN coyote!

I went looking for my coyote this week; I always see one the week of mothers day, and this year, today was the first day I could make it out in the right area to look for him.

So we went looking, and I found a hald dozen hares, several ground squirrels, a ton of small songbirds and magpies, a dozen or so ptarmigan, an adorable but difficult to photograph porcupine, and then...

Well, you can believe me or not, but I doubt you can actually SEE my coyote! It was on the mountainside behind my porcupine when I saw it walking, but the brush in front of it was too thick so I couldn't get a clear photo. I believe it has a den right there, as it disappeared into it! I will be back to look more, because I have never found a coyote den before. Who knows, maybe there's not a den there; but there was absolutely a coyote!

Sometimes I just cannot get my shot. I usually do everything I need to, but today I met my limits. I was climbing in an avalanche chute, there was deep snow I had to get through, and I didn't bring my snowshoes. So, no good shot of the porkie, and no shot at all of the coyote.

But it was a BEAUTIFUL DAY!

05/14/2026

Willow Ptarmigan, Southcentral Alaska, Spring Mating Colors -
Today I FINALLY found my favorite group of ptarmigan again! Oh they've been sneaky, and they've also been hunted and harassed a lot, but they are still around!

This particular male was with his beautiful speckled hen... when he flew in a huge circle, she was right with him just a few feet away, but I could only get him in my lens... but it was beautiful!

05/14/2026

SNOWSHOE HARE, Southcentral Alaska- This bunny is standing so still! It's afraid that if it moves, I'll see it! It's only a few feet away, and so pretty... I left him standing there ❤️

05/14/2026

This is a naturally shed caribou antler; it was found near Paxson, Alaska, on a mountaintop not far from where the Iron Man event happens each winter.

While thousands of people race around on snowmachines and skis I tend to go off by myself, looking for what I might find.

One winter, I found this, it's what I call a Trophy Find; the find of a Lifetime it is. I had planned to keep it that long.

However, the final costs for my son's service dog came at a terrible time, and I turned down offers for help, but I need to do something and it occurs to me I can sell this. So I've listed it for the outrageous price of 2,225. dollars, plus cost to ship through UPS; and am praying it sells!

I realize my followers are not here to buy things. But I don't want to deny anyone the opportunity to see that it's for sale, because it's one of a kind and honestly, you can spend ten times that looking, and still not find one of these. And, this one is magnificent! So if in fact anyone is interested, please message me right away.

*please note: I am also ready to swallow my pride and accept donations toward the cost of properly caring for Achilles and his remains, and begin the process of getting a new service dog for my son. If you want to donate please message me, and I'll give you the information needed. This is something I have never done (asking for help), and I won't be doing it again; do not feel pressured or put on the spot because I don't expect it from anyone ❤️

(edited to add: in response to inquiry, there's a link in comments to the original post about my son's service dog. I don't usually post such personal photos, so hesitate to re-post the (traumatic) situation; but if you're curious, and unaware, look in comments for the link ❤️
Thank you for understanding!)

05/13/2026

SPRING PTARMIGAN JOY! You can hear it, and sometimes even see it, all over the mountaintops in Alaska!
Here is a male, declaring his territory, and surveying his real estate while his hen sits under a willow bush nearby.

05/12/2026

WILDERNESS DRAMA: A COW MOOSE'S SPRING DILEMMA - Driving off a yearling calf while birth is imminent! This happens often; I've seen it 4 times!

One time headed to Homer, we pulled into a gravel pit to walk the dogs when I saw a cow moose running across the opening. I jumped out with my camera, saw her yearling bull calf trying to keep up with her, and began shooting photos.

The cow ran into forested area, then came back out toward the road. A big rig was approaching; she heard it, and went quickly swerving back away from the road, calf trailing behind.

Turning back to where they'd come from, she was suddenly running directly toward me. We had a dangerous situation develop very fast; my husband pulled the car in front of me and she veered to my right, never stopping as she thundered by. 30 feet behind her, the young frightened bull was still at her heels.

A second attempted road crossing was also quickly aborted, as more traffic approached. Finally after circling 3 times, she ran across the hwy... and so did her confused young son, just steps behind her. Both were extremely agitated, and we left to find a different place to walk the dogs. This is not a position to be in if you can help it.

Yearlings don't understand why suddenly they are not welcome! But pregnant cows giving birth are protective of newborn calves, and don't want older ones nearby. Next year, the new calf will likely be learning the same lesson.

In Alaska, if you see this behavior in moose this time of year, slow down for safety! They may suddenly bolt in any direction, and situations can change fast.

Remember: Give moose a brake (break)!

05/11/2026

A FOX DEN may run for 16 to 20 feet underground or more, with side tunnels branching off for storing food, raising kits, and accessing alternate escape routes.
There can be more extensive complex dens, but in time they usually become taken over by other animals, or otherwise compromised.

This den has at least 3 entrances, two of them right beside each other in tall grass and the 3rd, on the bluff.
One of the two close entrances appears to have been very recently corrupted by a coyote, domestic dog, or even wolves.
The entrance should not be wide enough to accommodate access by larger animals. So it appears obvious that a larger canine has been digging out this entrance. There was one domestic dog, and a large coyote, both exploring the den in the past. I will return to get camera updates, hopefully today, and if it's a domestic dog I will notify animal control.
There's always the chance it's turned into a coyote den. Last year after the foxes moved, there were porcupines living there! But, I have got pics of foxes there so far this year, so I do think it's a fox den again.

oh what mysteries!
I hope the trail cameras give them up, and they are good stories!

05/11/2026

Future Mama here (yearling cow moose), nibbling the grass between our yard and the forest.
Watch as she crawls on her knees, stands up, and gets back down... it's a long reach to the ground and her neck hasn't grown quite long enough just yet.

05/11/2026

05/10/2026

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to all the Mama's out there, you make the world go round!

A special shout out to all the Mama's who have lost; there's nothing harder in the world, than to lose your child. I just want to say, it doesn't change what you gave, how you loved, or who you are. Once a mother, always a mother, even if photos and memories are what you have now... inside, you are still a Mom. And you should be celebrated! I hope you have the most beautiful memories.

And to the Grandma's, Grammie's, GiGi's, MeeMaws, and all the rest. There is nothing like the love of a grandmother; I will never forget mine! How I miss her, not just on special days or occasions, but every day. I was blessed at one time to have three great grandmothers, and two grandmothers, and today I have none of them... but each gave me parts of myself, and beautiful memories, and a treasured past that includes distant relatives, which unfortunately my own children will never have. But I have those memories, of the most pretty, gracious lady, who showed me more love than anyone else I knew as a child. In fact there were times when I felt she was the only person who loved me, andwould always love me, no matter what! There are days now when I, at 64 years old, hang onto those memories as if they were yesterday. They still make me feel loved. NEVER underestimate the meaning of being a Grandmother; it's one of the most precious parts of life.

To all the mothers and grandmothers, and to the fathers who have to play both roles, I wish you all the most blessed Mothers Day ever. You deserve it!