5 New Year's Resolutions you can make to help wildlife this year!

     Happy New Year everyone!  As 2016 starts, many of us are undoubtedly continuing the tradition of New Year's resolutions.  Whether this includes hitting the gym or reading a book, we're hoping to improve ourselves.  In a less formal sense, we all start the New Year with goals; to grow, gain a better perspective, learn more about the world, help others, etc.  Regardless of where you fall on this custom, I'd like to ask you: How about making greater wildlife awareness and conservation a resolution this year?  With over 7 billion people on the planet and counting, massive resource consumption and pollution, increasing development and habitat destruction, overharvesting and poaching of fish and wildlife, climate change, and extinctions happening every day, awareness of these issues as well as productive conversations and cooperative actions are necessary if we have any chance of solving these problems.  Below, I've listed 5 potential resolutions you can take to help wildlife.  These range in scope and are by far not inclusive of all you can do, but they are a start towards a better 2016 for you, me, and the other species we share the planet with.

1.  To consume less, reuse, and recycle.  

     This is probably the most obvious way to help wildlife.  I'll start with water, of which there are some very simple ways to conserve.  Take a shorter shower, don't keep the water running while you brush your teeth, and run only full loads in your clothes and dishwashers (for more, visit http://eartheasy.com/live_water_saving.htm).  You could save thousands of gallons this year!  While you're running your washers less, you're also saving electricity.  Other ways to save include unplugging your phone, computer, etc. chargers when you aren't using them, turning lights off during the day and when you leave a room, turning down your thermostat when you are leaving the house for an extended period, line-drying your clothes, and sweeping instead of vacuum when possible (find more at http://urbannaturale.com/21-eco-friendly-ways-to-cut-down-on-electricity-in-your-home/).  Turn everything off and go have fun outside!  

The average American uses 70 gallons of water a day (Eartheasy).  Source: Google Images

     Reuse and recycle your plastic; plastic grocery bags and water bottles can take 1,000 years to decompose, and plastic is toxic to wildlife (for some shocking stats on plastic bags, see http://www.reusethisbag.com/25-reasons-to-go-reusable.php).  Glass can basically be recycled indefinitely, and there are also plenty of Pinterest crafts to help you find nifty ways to reuse your glass. 

Plastic bottles and bags are unfortunately a common sight along many shorelines.  Source: Google Images

2.  To know where the things you buy come from, and what they are made of.  

     In today's world we have unlimited access to millions of products from all over.  It's important to realize that different countries and companies have different environmental and ethical standards of production.  You may be inadvertently contributing to rainforest destruction and the exotic pet trade by buying certain palm oil products, including peanut butter, toothpaste, candy bars, and many other items.  The exfoliating Microbeads found in some of the facial cleansers and beauty products many of us use were recently found to clog the gills of fish and aquatic invertebrates and poison their predators.  If you're like me, you LOVE your jeans, however, the production of jeans involves heavy pesticide usage, high water consumption, and water and air pollution.  Wear your jeans out, try to buy used pairs, and research eco-friendly brands.  If you're a crafter like me, be aware that feathers, furs, and other wildlife products, unless otherwise stated, likely come from animals that lived their entire lives in tiny cages without proper nutrition and medical care, rather than sustainably hunted and ethically treated wildlife.  If you're buying an exotic pet, do your research and make sure it was captive born, and that the pet trade isn't contributing to its species decline.  If you travel abroad, read about wildlife products to avoid before buying them as souvenirs.  Seashells, pelts, and other parts may have been taken from threatened species.  How do you like them apples?  Buy organic when possible, as over 45 pesticides have been found on this fruit.  Pesticides have been correlated with the decline of honey-bees, aerial insectivores (those fast-diving birds that you can watch catch insects in flight), and more (for more on fruits, see http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/healthy/news/g168/dirty-dozen-foods/?slide=2).  

Source: http://www.ucsusa.org/

3.  To eat some more rabbit food!  

     Also falling under resolution #2, many meats at our supermarkets come from CAFOs (Confined Animal Feeding Operations, also known as Factory Farms), where animals are kept in crowded, tight enclosures.  The animals here produce 500 million tons of manure annually, which pollutes water, soil, and air, causing toxic algal blooms, fish kills, and more.  Livestock production also involves high water consumption (~1,850 gallons per 1 pound beef), high production of the greenhouse gases Carbon Dioxide, Methane, and Nitrous Oxide, and is heavily dependent on fossil fuel energy.  How can we lessen this environmental impact?  Try eating vegetarian a few times a week.  Although monoculture crops carry some negative environmental impacts, growing vegetables consumes less resources (Ex. ~39 gallons of water per pound vegetables).  Think about this: If we fed all of the grain we use to feed livestock to people, we could feed approximately 840 million.  Meatless Monday (the website for which is where I am finding these statistics) is a growing movement that is exactly what it sounds like.  The Environmental Defense Fund states that if every American ate vegetables instead of chicken for one meal a week, it would be energetically equivalent to taking 500,000 cars off the road.  By eating less meat, you can help the environment, animal welfare, and your own health.  For more info, check out the video below:  

4.  To stay up-to-date on wildlife issues.

     2016 is a big year for wildlife issues.  The US will elect its 45th president this year, and it is important for us to take the candidates' stances on climate change, EPA regulations, protection of water bodies and wetlands, and other environmental concerns into consideration as voters.  How will the Greater Sage Grouse do after the US Fish & Wildlife's decision to not list the bird under the Endangered Species Act back in September, and what is the future of the Act itself?  What species will be declared endangered this year?  What species will go extinct?  In 2014 it was Kendall Jones, in 2015 it was Walter Palmer; what trophy hunters will become infamous through social media shaming this year, and is trophy hunting a valid form of conservation?  On June 19th, 2015, the USFWS made a bold statement by crushing one ton of seized ivory in Times Square.  Illegal wildlife trade cannot be tolerated, yet ports of entry into the US are significantly understaffed.  What will this year bring in the arenas of wildlife trafficking and the exotic pet trade?  As suburbs continue to sprawl and human-wildlife conflicts inevitably continue, what will be the fate of large predators like Gray Wolves and Mountain Lions?  These are just a few of many uncertainties.  By reading news articles, following conservation groups like Defenders of Wildlife and Center for Biological Diversity, and sharing and discussing what you read and learn with friends and family, you can help bring attention to these issues and help solve them. 

In 2015, the USFWS crushed 1 ton of ivory they seized back, a bold statement declaring that illegal wildlife trafficking will not be tolerated.  Source: Google Images

The Amur Leopard is one of the many species that may be extinct by the end of 2016.  Source: Google Images

5.  To join, or even help organize, a community conservation effort.  

     A final New Year's Resolution you can make for wildlife and conservation is to take part in community conservation efforts.  This can include volunteering for a clean-up of a local park, participating in a tree or native grass planting, participating in a bird count, donating supplies to or volunteering with a local wildlife rehabilitation center, and more.  These are rewarding experiences and a way to connect with others.  You can grow, learn, encourage others to become involved, and become a conservation leader in your community.  

Adopt-A-Park is an annual clean-up event put on by the Five Rivers MetroParks in my hometown of Dayton, Ohio.  Source: Google Images

     I hope you've found this blog inspiring rather than overwhelming.  There are a plethora of issues facing wildlife today, but I remain optimistic in our ability to solve them.  We must work together, and the start of a new year is a perfect time to make or strengthen a commitment to help wildlife.  Biodiversity is beautiful and must be preserved; if we continue to allow other species to fall, eventually ours will too.  Remember, we are all connected.  

Wishing everyone growth, inspirations, and adventures in the New Year.

-Jess

The Drive South

     The boreal forest had grown quiet; the robins and Varied Thrushes no longer sang from the tree tops, the warblers no longer flashed bright yellows in the brush, the White-crowned Sparrows no longer scampered across the ground digging up insects.  The birds had flown south.  It was no secret; it was clear in the falling leaves, in the increasingly cold and dark mornings, and in the spawned out, dying Sockeye salmon.  Summer was over, and winter was quickly coming.
   
     During my last several weeks in King Salmon, I felt like a bird.  Restless, energetic, and somewhat anxious, I wondered if I was experiencing Zugunruhe.  This is a phenomenon seen in many migratory birds; it is the urge to migrate exhibited in nighttime restlessness.  With each passing day, I became more anxious to start my journey south.  Fittingly, I began my migration at night as many birds do, on September 28th.  I flew into Fairbanks to meet up with my mate; we would travel as a pair.

     The need to head south was readily apparent, as a storm had dumped several feet of snow over Fairbanks and was still hanging over the Alaska Interior.  We slowly trod through the snow to Chena Hot Springs.  It was the wildest swimming experience I'd ever had; I swam through hot water, my feet brushing against gravel on the floor, surrounded by rocks and spruce, snow falling.  The air temperature was in the 30s.  Ducks flew over in the twilight, so close I could hear their wing beats.  It was magical.  Our plan had been to head to Denali National Park, but with the storm we were forced to reroute down the Richardson Highway.  We entered into a Winter Wonderland; the snow danced in the wind, and the mountains were all white.  We had a Moose cow and calf trot across the road in front of us, a Beaver swim by our campsite as we made dinner one night, and Gray Jays (also known as Camp Robbers) scold us for not sharing our meal.  As we neared Tok, Alaska, we saw a small patch of blue sky cut out of the gray.  As we rounded a mountain pass, we entered into full blue skies and the snow disappeared.

Chena Hot Springs (Photo from Google Images)

Moose crossing the Richardson Highway.

Winter Wonderland

     We headed into the Yukon on the fourth day of our journey.  The mountains seemed to grow ever larger as we traveled down the ALCAN Highway.  We camped out at Destruction Bay, right next to the beach, and made smores under the Northern Lights!  The next morning soon after we began driving, we came across a herd of 165 Dall Sheep on the side of a mountain.  There were so many of them one could almost mistake them for patches of snow.  We enjoyed counting them, and from a conservation perspective, it is encouraging to see such a big group of large mammals.

Sunset over Destruction Bay, Yukon

Portion of the 165 herd of Dall Sheep.

Along the Haines Junction, British Columbia

     We had not been prepared to leave Alaska yet, so we took a detour to Haines, a southeast Alaska coastal town.  We reached Haines only after driving down mountain passes among some of British Columbia's great peaks.  It was a sharp transition to sealevel, and a breathtaking one.  Towering, jagged mountains with the ocean is one of my favorite landscapes.  Haines brought us sightings of Harbor Seals, seaducks, many, many eagles, and more of the Aurora borealis.  I basked in the glory of the Northern Lights, so beautiful that it almost brought tears to my eyes.  The sky appeared fluid; the lights changing by the second- undulating and pulsating in brightness.  I was mesmerized as it stretched over the mountains and trees.  Perhaps the only thing I was truly aware of whilst in this trance, was how incredibly small I was standing underneath the heavens.

Haines, AK

Bald Eagle in Haines, AK.

I actually took this photo on a different night, but still.

     After a few days, we said goodbye to Alaska for the season and headed back into British Columbia.  We entered the Yukon again briefly, took a dip in Takhini Hot Springs, and afterwards watched the Northern Lights dance again above.  We saw Elk and Caribou, two of my favorite Cervid (Deer) species.  Soon after I restated (we had discussed the subject while in Alaska) that I would love to see Wood Bison (the Northern, forest-dwelling subspecies of the American Bison), we saw a large bull grazing on the side of the road.... And then another one....  And then several more....  And then a herd of over 20!  In total we saw 104 members of what is known as the Norquist Herd.  After another delightful dip in Liard Hot Springs, a secluded natural spring surrounded by moss and spruce, even more excitement came when we read about Stone's Sheep on a sign.  This is a little-known subspecies of the Dall Sheep with a tiny range between southern Yukon and northern British Columbia.  I immediately felt the need to see this animal that moments before I had not known existed.  Its beauty and the possibility of seeing an animal very few others had seen fueled me.  We did not have to wait long.  As we crested a hill along Stone Mountain Provincial Park, a herd of Stone's Sheep were licking salt off of the road.  They looked completely different from Dall Sheep.  Rather than all white, they had black tails, gray backs, and half dark brown and white legs.  We were able to watch the animals at our leisure, and it was a privilege to do so.

Wood Bison bull

Liard Hot Springs (Photo from Google Images).

Caribou

     After some awesome mammal experiences, it was time for some birding.  We were unable to catch up with many of the migrants, but after camping at Swan Lake Provincial Park in Alberta, we woke up to the honking of Canada Geese flying over.  We exited the Mountain Turtle to find Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintails, Northern Harriers, and a Common Snipe.  The quacking of waterfowl and chattering of chickadees and redpolls replaced the silence felt farther north.

     Soon we found ourselves in Jasper and Banff National Parks again.  Here we were unfortunately reminded of the extreme disconnect most of society has with nature as two tourists approached a giant bull Elk.  Not only is it very dangerous to approach a large wild animal, it is also very disrespectful.  Even if wildlife are not visibly stressed by our presence, their heart rates and stress hormone levels are probably increased.  Despite that frustrating situation, we saw many Elk, deer (White-tailed and Mule), Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goats, a Moose at Moose Pond, and a Black Bear, all while traveling in the shadow of the Canadian Rockies.

Jasper National Park, Alberta

Bighorn Sheep ram in foreground and ewe in background.

Elk bull running.

     After leaving the parks, the next day we found ourselves in the middle of the mass Snow Goose migration in Saskatchewan.  These birds breed in the Arctic, then head south to both coasts of the US, as well as parts of central US and Mexico.  Their population is booming, because they thrive in agricultural areas like Saskatchewan.  We stopped the car.  I stood, looking up in awe, at the thousands of birds flying over me.  They called loudly as they flew.  As I looked around, every pond in the fields around us seemed to contain mixed flocks of Snow Geese, Greater White-fronted Geese, Tundra Swans, and ducks.  We saw many more Snow Geese flocks, in such great numbers they blanketed the ground like snow, as well as a field full of Sandhill Cranes, and a large flock of Red-winged Blackbirds settling into a hay field to roost for the night.

Snow Geese

Many, many more Snow Geese.

Sandhill Cranes

Red-winged Blackbirds.

     After a long trip, we were happy to enter Montana on October 15th.  Soon we saw Pronghorn, which I always watch in admiration.  They are the fastest land animal in the Western Hemisphere.  The predator that fueled their evolution of speed, the American Cheetah, no longer exists.  The only animal that can outrun them today, in fact, is the Cheetah.  They are the sole member of their family, and look more like African fauna.  Back in the land of Pronghorn, raptors, and blue skies, I found myself looking into the eyes of a large, new life bird, the Ferruginous Hawk.  Its bill was eagle-like, and I was excited to observe this species for the first time.  We explored the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, and watched a herd of several hundred Elk court.  I had never heard Elk bulls bugel, but on this night I finally had the privilege to.  The sound is as wild and beautiful as the call of the loon and the howl of the wolf.  I am still longing to hear the latter.  These are some of nature's greatest concerts, and the quintessence of wilderness.

     We are now home, and I am left to reflect on the amazing experiences this year has brought.  I am incredibly blessed to be able to explore these places and see these species. I also have a wonderful partner to go on adventures with.  Below, you will find a list of all of the species we saw on our trip, when and where we first sighted them, and how many (often approximately) we saw.  Although our trip south has ended, life is a constant adventure, and we can still find intimate moments with nature every day.  We have only to look around us.

-Jess

The Drive North

                After spending fall and winter working a stressful job in Texas, recalling memories of my previous Alaskan summer, it was time for an adventure.  Beginning spring in Montana had been a time of rejuvenation for me; exactly what the season should be.  With the Mountain Bluebirds investigating nest boxes, pairs of ducks swimming in roadside streams side-by-side, and Western Meadowlarks singing across fields and atop fence posts, I knew it was time to make the longer leg of my own migration up to Alaska. 

We started our drive up north on March 31^st from Colstrip, Montana, through the dry, golden plains filled with pheasants, Pronghorn, and other wildlife, alongside the Crazy Mountains, towards Kalispell and Whitefish.  We crossed the US-Canada border at Eureka, MT and Roosville, British Columbia on April 2^nd, full of excitement and a little anxiety at the almost certain inspection of Steve’s 1 ton Chevy converted military expedition truck.  After 15 minutes of sitting in the border patrol office, the only contingency to enter Canada was to walk our eggs back into the US (to help prevent the spread of Avian Flu), where a fellow American gladly took them home. 

Within the first half hour of entering Canada, we saw hundreds of Elk and Mule Deer grazing, two Wild Turkey toms displaying for a group of females- their iridescent, striped, bronze retrices (tail feathers) erect, and 3 Bald Eagles and 10 Common Ravens feasting on a deer carcass, all with the backdrop of giant, jagged mountains.  This was definitely how I had imagined ‘The Great White North’. 

The next days and weeks were filled with more wildlife and mountains.  We traveled through Kootenay National Park, taking a relaxing dip in the hot springs there, as well as through Banff and Jasper National Parks.  Mountains towered over us on both sides of the road, each turn offering a different visual perspective, while simultaneously bringing into perspective my small size in comparison to the vast landscape surrounding me.  I saw my first glacier- mysterious, powerful, and blue.  Common Goldeneye drakes fought over a female at Premier Lake, splashing and biting each other.  Varied Thrushes sang their low, echoing one note songs every morning in the dense forest, easily heard but not seen.  Herds of Bighorn Sheep walked the rocky ledges along the side of the road.  White-tailed Deer bounded between rock faces and forest.  We saw three moose at a great distance, and knew we would see more.  A Common Raven examined the animal mural on our vehicle, inquisitively tilting his head and walking along the side like a human at an art exhibit.  Several Clark’s Nutcrackers flew back and forth across the Lake Louise parking lot in Banff; I pondered their amazing memory and wondered if they had cached any seeds nearby. 

Banff National Park

Young Bighorn Sheep

Common Raven examining our vehicle.

Clark's Nutcracker

Glacier in Jasper National Park

Following Smithers, BC, we began driving the Stewart-Cassiar Highway.  This is where our adventure took an unexpected turn; one of our vehicles began smoking and we had to be towed back into Smithers.  The next several days were an attempt to unravel the mystery, the answer to which was likely a faulty PVC valve.  From a positive perspective, this gave us an opportunity to experience an interesting cultural difference between Canada and the US: bowling is played with 5 rather than 10 pins, and small, 2 lb (?) balls.  We also had delicious 'Boston Pizza' and Cadbury Crème Egg Milkshakes at McDonald’s, which are unavailable in the US.  Back on track, we ventured on, through Stewart BC and briefly into Hyder, Alaska! 

It felt wonderful to step back into the US again, and to set foot in Alaska, the land I fell in love with for its wilderness, mystery, and opportunities for adventure.  I can feel its essence on the cold air that fills my lungs, making my heart pound faster.  We are greeted by a Bald Eagle (how fitting!), along with a few Harbor Seals, which silently and cautiously watch us with their dark eyes and heads only slightly above water.  The remainder of the day is spent driving a snowmobile trail up into the mountains a little ways, and then fighting off (shockingly) swarms of mosquitoes while cooking dinner. 

Bald Eagle in Hyder.

Harbor Seal, picture taken at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, AK.

Before we left to drive the next leg of our journey to Whitehorse, Yukon, I was able to bird in our campground, where a Beaver, unhappy about my presence, defensively slapped his tail against the water, while simultaneously two Belted Kingfisher males chased one another around the same pond, each trying to claim it for his own.  I saw two new life species (a species seen in the wild for the first time by me) that morning back in Stewart.  Let me first say that these are special moments, filled with excitement and a little disbelief over laying eyes upon a creature for the first time.  Chestnut-backed Chickadees, with a bold appearance to match their bold personalities, appeared to tumble from branch to branch, foraging on pine nuts.  They are charming little birds.  A short walk away, loud squawks came from an unseen and unfamiliar Corvid.  “Could it be?  Finally?”  I had wanted to see a Steller’s Jay for a very long time.  The crested black head and brilliant blue body of a large bird bursting from the trees confirmed.  The next 20 minutes were spent delightedly observing a group of 10 or so jays foraging and calling to one another. 

Steller's Jays

That eighth day of our journey was a long one, but not without exciting moments.  Not far from Stewart, two moose waded in a river and a third stood on shore.  We were able to observe them from a pull-off nearby.  I eagerly watched the largest member of Cervidae (the deer family), contemplating their large hooves, adapted for walking through snow and bogs, and large snouts, containing nostrils that close underwater due to the pressure differential, preventing water from entering while feeding.  Later on, another life species, the Ruffed Grouse, crossed the road in front of us just after we passed over the Stikine River.  It was easy to lose sight of once off the road because of its remarkable camouflage.  Males of this species make a drumming sound by moving their wings forward and back, creating a vacuum. 

Can you spot the Ruffed Grouse?

Still attempting to resolve the car difficulty, we drove well into the night in an attempt to reach Whitehorse as quickly as possible.  Soon after darkness fell, bright columns of green and yellow appeared in the sky- the Northern Lights, or Aurora borealis!  I was filled with awe as I watched the colors spread across the sky in constant flux.  Changing within seconds and strengthening over the course of several hours, the lights were truly sublime, and more incredible than I could have ever imagined.  Seeing something so amazing, that I had longed to see my whole life, was spiritual and humbling.  Words fail to describe the experience beyond that. 

I didn't take a picture myself, but here is one I found on Google from the same area.

We reached Whitehorse the next day, ran a few errands, and relaxed in Takhini Hot Springs.  A good soak was needed after banging my head on the refrigerator, excitedly scrambling to the front of the truck to see caribou crossing the road that morning.  A remarkable circumpolar (found around the Earth in the vicinity of the North Pole) species, Caribou (also known as Reindeer when semi-domesticated), specialize on eating lichens, have hollow outer hairs which hold air and help warm the animal, have large hooves for moving over tundra and snow, and are migratory.  It is always a pleasure to see this species in the wild, as their populations are currently declining. 

The next day we had the misfortune of shearing some lugnuts off our left back tire.  However, the situation was not completely hapless, as we were not far from Whitehorse, and were able to pull off the road and quickly find parts.  We camped out near Destruction Bay on the ALCAN (Alaska-Canadian Highway), named for a storm that nearly destroyed a town established for building the highway.  The next morning we woke up excited to enter Alaska soon, and listened to John Denver’s “Alaska and Me” multiple times.  I smiled as I could relate to the song, being so interested in the state as a child that I wrote a report on it in elementary school. 

We entered Alaska around noon, but not without friendly hassling regarding our strange vehicle.  Rather than poultry, this time we had to surrender our Clementinas, to prevent possible transmission of non-native insects.  We passed by Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge and were continuously surrounded by beautiful scenery.  Our first stop was Jennifer’s Thai, a food bus in Tok, AK.  As we waited outside, I realized I was finally acclimating to decreased temperatures, as ~45°F felt comfortable.  Common Redpolls sang their buzzy songs in the trees all around.  We drove through Bear Valley and saw the mighty peaks of Wrangell- St. Elias National Park and Preserve.  A moose crossed the road in front of us and was quickly lost in dense pines.  A colorful Spruce Grouse male walked the opposite side of the road, and curiously approached the truck instead of flying away when we doubled back, allowing for great pictures.  We camped out that night at a different Lake Louise near Glennallen, AK.  

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

Common Redpoll

Spruce Grouse

The next day we set off for Anchorage.  We were stopped at a pull-off to examine maps and check the status of our vehicles that morning, when a flash of red, white, and black caught my eye.  The elongated, curved mandibles crossing over one another, it was recognizable immediately as a White-winged Crossbill!  Another exciting life species!  Crossbills are specialists with bills adapted for extracting and consuming conifer seeds; they are only found in coniferous forests.  We made a brief stop in Wasilla, where we bought a used Zodiac boat!  We made it into bustling Anchorage around 3pm.  It is strange traveling through a large city where skyscrapers sit next to the ocean, and mountains form more of the backdrop.  We dined on Moose’s Tooth Pizza, which is delicious, and camped out at beautiful Eklutna Lake.

White-winged Crossbill female

It is a welcome surprise to wake up to large mountains and other unseen scenery when you arrive at a campground at night.  The ice on the lake was melting, and so we heard the strange, echoing sounds of cracking ice on a water body.  We also birded for a bit, finding ravens, redpolls, chickadees, a Downy Woodpecker, and a Red-breasted Nuthatch.  We headed for Seward on the Kenai Peninsula soon after. 

We drove along Turnagain Arm, looking out towards Cook Inlet.  Sheer rock faces towered above us to the left, angry waves rolled and crashed against rocks in the inlet to our right, and more mountains stood boldly on the other side of the inlet.  I scanned the mountains above us, knowing that Dall Sheep are commonly seen here.  With the lack of snowfall the west has experienced, a white figure moving amongst the rocks was easy to see.  I watched the graceful creature climb amongst rocks with ease through my binoculars and camera.  Alaska is the only US state Dall Sheep can be found in; it was a special moment to see this new life mammal that thrives in cold, steep, rocky areas.  

            We drove through rain, then heavy snow, then rain again, reaching Seward several hours later.  Seward is a delightful little seaside town, sleepy when not in tourism season.  At the far end of town, gulls floated in the water, awaiting a fishing ship perhaps.  Upon closer examination, I noticed Common Murres and a Pigeon Guillemot in the mix.  The other FWS seasonal employees I worked with last year had studied a Common Murre breeding colony at Puale Bay, which was heavily impacted by the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill.  It was nice to see this species again.  

Common Murres in a sea of gulls.

Pigeon Guillemot at the Alaska SeaLife Center.

          We drove to another beach access road further down.  I saw what I thought was a log, but as I walked closer, I noticed it had limbs and was turning in the surf.  I had never seen a Sea Otter so close, so I hadn't realized how big they are!  We watched it float and feed on clams, dive, and repeat.  It was wonderful to watch this animal so closely, and I imagined it swimming through tall kelp forests, grabbing sea urchins for meals.  As I will discuss in a later blog, this is an endangered species, so it is encouraging and a privilege to see in the wild.  Nearby, a beautiful raft of Harlequin Ducks, males in full breeding plumage, along with a few Barrow's Goldeneyes floated in the waves.  Our first evening in Seward was filled non-stop with wildlife!  We walked along the beach more.  Suddenly a large, slender head and neck popped out of the water, curiously watching us.  Three more joined, dove, and popped up again nearby.  They were Steller Sea Lions, the largest sea lion species, and also one that is classified as "Near threatened" by the IUCN (watch for same later blog).  Their curiosity and playfulness (even after we were in our truck driving away they followed us) reminded me of their Galapagos cousins that I had swam with in a very different ecosystem.  Sea Lions are delightful animals to interact with!  

Sea Otter with clam.

Duck Raft, mostly Harlequins but with Barrow's Goldeneye pair at top right.

Harlequin Duck drake, picture taken at the Alaska SeaLife Center.

Steller Sea Lions

         The next day we visited the Alaska SeaLife Center and briefly hiked into Kenai Fjords National Park to see Exit Glacier.  The Alaska SeaLife Center is a wonderful rehabilitation, education, and conservation organization.  I had wanted to visit this place in part because the wildlife refuge I worked for last summer partners with them.  We watched a pair of King Eiders court, a large Steller Sea Lion male bellow, and saw numerous other marine creatures.  Exit Glacier was beautiful, and it was remarkable how much the glacier had receded over past century (there were markers showing).  We spent the remainder of the evening walking on the beach, watching the sun set over the mountains and water, looking for sea shells and sea creatures. Seward is a nice place.  

King Eider Drake

Courting King Eider pair.

Tufted Puffin

Horned Puffin

Us at Exit Glacier.

Sunset in Seward, AK.

          The next day we traveled to Kenai and Soldotna, passing through Kenai National Wildlife Refuge along the way.  We didn't see much wildlife besides a few waterfowl, but we were able to do errands, find a nice campground, and drive on the beach the next morning.  Our last stop on the Kenai Peninsula before heading back to Anchorage was Homer.  It was dismal, rainy weather when we arrived, but we made the best of it.  We stopped at a wetland overlook, where we saw some Mallards and more White-winged Crossbills.  As we began driving back to the main road, we saw two moose, one on each side of the road, watching us!  We slowly drove by them and were able to quietly observe and take pictures.  We used the remainder of the evening to visit the Salty Dawg Saloon (a famous little bar with a big personality on the Homer Spit) and find some fish and chips to satisfy a grease and salt craving.  We camped out at Anchor Point, right on the beach.  

         

          Our second day in Seward was spent partially at the Alaska Islands & Ocean Visitor Center, operated in part by Alaska Maritime Wildlife Refuge, which has impressive natural history and cultural exhibits and was a nice relief from the cold wind and rain.  We walked down to an estuary and Bishop's Beach, where among other birds I saw a Eurasian Wigeon for the first time!  We also hiked the Diamond Creek Trail, where we saw another Moose on the way in, and over 20 Sea Otters when we reached the beach.  With large rock faces and civilization not visible from the bottom of the trail, the beach looked like wilderness.  It was beautiful.  

End of Diamond Creek Trail, Homer, AK

          It was a very low tide the next morning, so before we headed back to Anchorage the next day we went 'tidepooling' and found sea stars, anemones, crabs, and a small amphipod (shrimp-like crustacean).  Northwestern Crows and Bald Eagles were tidepooling as well, although for a very different purpose.  We camped out near Portage Glacier in Chugach National Forest that night.  The weather was poor but it was a very beautiful place.  I saw the glacier and lake but do not have any pictures because it was so rainy and windy.  On our way along Turnagain Arm again we saw more Dall Sheep, and a Beluga Whale for an instant.  This trip had offered amazing scenery and wildlife.  

Anchor Point, AK

Sea star found while tidepooling.

          I will skip over the rest of our trip, as the remainder was spent running around Anchorage.  Below I have compiled tables of the mammal and bird species we saw on our trip- 17 mammals and 51 birds.  Starting March 31st from Colstrip and ending April 21st, when we flew to King Salmon from Anchorage, this has been the longest continuous trip I have been on.  I had wanted to see more of Canada beyond the Niagara Falls area I had been to before, and the idea of driving to Alaska had been a dream of both Steve's and mine.  It has been an adventure, with both triumphant and frustrating moments, but overall fantastic!  To be in such beautiful surroundings, experiencing new ecosystems and species, and all with good company lifts the heart and soul.  

Mammals
Common Name	Scientific Name
White-tailed Deer	Odocoileus virginianus
Mule Deer	Odocoileus hermionus
Elk	Cervus canadensis
Moose	Alces alces
Caribou	Rangifer tarandus
Pronghorn	Antilocapra americana
Bighorn Sheep	Ovis canadensis
Dall Sheep	Ovis dalli
Black-tailed Prairie Dog	Cynomys ludovicianus
American Red Squirrel	Tamiasciurus hudsonicus
Coyote	Canis latrans
Red Fox	Vulpes vulpes
American [Pine] Marten	Martes Americana
Sea Otter	Enhydra lutris
Steller Sea Lion	Eumetopias jubatus
Harbor Seal	Phoca vitulina
Beluga Whale	Delphinapterus leucas

Birds
Common Name	Scientific Name
Common Loon	Gavia immer
Trumpeter Swan	Cygnus buccinator
Tundra Swan	Cygnus columbianus
Canada Goose (Dusky)	Branta canadensis
Greater White-fronted Goose	Anser albifrons
Mallard	Anas platyrhynchos
Northern Pintail	Anas acuta
American Wigeon	Anas americana
Eurasian Wigeon	Anas penelope
Green-winged Teal	Anas crecca
Greater Scaup	Aythya marila
Harlequin Duck	Histrionicus histrionicus
White-winged Scoter	Melanitta fusca
Barrow’s Goldeneye	Bucephala islandica
Bufflehead	Bucephala albeola
Common Merganser	Mergus merganser
Red-breasted Merganser	Mergus serrator
Red-tailed Hawk	Buteo jamaicensis
Bald Eagle	Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Gyrfalcon	Falco rusticolus
Ring-necked Pheasant	Phasianus colchicus
Spruce Grouse	Falcipennis canadensis
Ruffed Grouse	Bonasa umbellus
Wild Turkey	Meleagris gallopavo
Sandhill Crane	Grus canadensis
Mew Gull	Larus canus
Herring Gull	Larus argentatus
Glacous-winged Gull	Larus hyperboreus
Common Murre	Uria aalge
Pigeon Guillemot	Cepphus columba
Short-eared Owl	Asio flammeus
Belted Kingfisher	Ceryle alcyon
Downy Woodpecker	Picoides pubescens
Steller’s Jay	Cyanocitta stelleri
Gray Jay	Perisoreus canadensis
Clark’s Nutcracker	Nucifraga columbiana
Black-billed Magpie	Pica hudsonia
Common Raven	Corvus corax
Northwestern Crow	Corvus caurinus
Black-capped Chickadee	Poecile atricapilla
Chestnut-backed Chickadee	Poecile rufescens
Red-breasted Nuthatch	Sitta canadensis
Mountain Bluebird	Sialis currucoides
Varied Thrush	Ixoreus naevius
American Robin	Turdus migratorius
Song Sparrow	Melospiza melodia
Dark-eyed Junco	Junco hyemalis
Snow Bunting	Plectrophenax nivalis
White-winged Crossbill	Loxia leucoptera
Common Redpoll	Carduelis flammea
Hoary Redpoll*	Carduelis hornemanni*