I like to think that my pictures go out into the world taking the healing spirit of my country to those who need it, to those who understand it.
– E.W. Merrill (1870-1929), Sitka-based photographer 1899-1929
I’ve been documenting Sitka’s natural environment and sharing it on the web for over 25 years. It started as a way to document and share with family and friends what I was observing while exploring around the area but now has taken on a life of its own.
My 2026 Sitka Birds Calendar is available for purchase. The price is $20 (+$6 shipping). It features photos I’ve taken of birds in and around Sitka.
Photojournal
The core of this site is my photojournal, featuring photos and written journals from my experience in nature. In recent years, I have a practice of journaling daily, though publishing entries often follows more of a seasonal rhythm, as I work to catch up during the long nights of winter. Recent Photojournal Updates will link to the new/old posts and other updates.
Weather Delay and Wet Beginnings
Offshore Outing and Green Lake Road
Erratic Hunting on Beaver Lake Uplands
Radio Show/Podcast
Sitka Nature Show #346 – Jason Briner
Sitka Nature Show #345 – Elizabeth Thomas
Sitka Nature Show #344 – Ron Heintz
Explore the Archive
Today in Sitka Nature History:
Swan Lake Birds and Lichens
March 15, 2025
Clear skies. Freezing overnight temperatures rising to 40F this afternoon. Light to moderate winds. A text message from LP letting me know the Hooded Mergansers were at the peninsula prompted … Read more
Tidepooling on the Ides of March
March 15, 2023
Snow showers this morning with brief sunny breaks between. Becoming overcast in the early afternoon. Snow started again later in the afternoon and changed to rain this evening. Breezy with … Read more
Banded Juncos and First Flowers
March 15, 2022
Cloudy with occasional rain and some wind out of the southwest (at least when I was out). I did not make it out until after lunch. Early in the afternoon … Read more
- SitkaBirds email List (
subscribe here– the old list is getting shut down, I’m planning to set up something new) - SitkaBirds List is an e-mail list for birding around Sitka. It serves as to share photos and ask questions about birds or birding in Sitka. Also to notify others of sightings that may be unusual or of interest. If you are interested, please
subscribe here. There is also a Sitka Birds Facebook Group (while both are active, the Facebook group has more active participants). - Sitka Natural History Seminar Series
- To be notified of upcoming talks in the series, you can
subscribe hereto receive the announcements - Pre-2007 Photojournal
- Photos and journal entries from 1998-2006 (on a different site – I eventually intend to migrate entries to this one)
- Sitka Trails (on another site)
- A trail guide I am working on for trails on the Sitka Road system. It was on (or just off of) many of these trails where I took many of the photos seen here. I started redoing it in early 2024, but haven’t completed the remodel.
