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 #350 – Brie Drummond
Sitka Nature Show #349 – Kitty LaBounty
Sitka Nature Show #348 – Gavin McNichol (encore)
Explore the Archive
Today in Sitka Nature History:
Spring Walk around Totem Park
April 15, 2025
Showery weather, with sun breaks between. Temperatures into the mid-40s. Winds variable. Showers were heavy at times. I didn’t see any with ice during the day, but good-sized pellets on … Read more
Continuing Sun, Full Moon
April 15, 2022
Sunny and cool pattern continued. Calm winds through this morning with a little breeze picking up in the afternoon into evening. Clouds appeared on the horizon, but mostly stayed out … Read more
A Brief Trip to the Chaicheis
April 15, 2021
Overcast this morning, with clouds breaking up and staying between partly cloudy and mostly cloudy for much of the day. As it turned out, we only ended up having a little over an hour to spend at the Chaicheis. It was a little over a year ago when I was last here, so it was nice to renew acquaintances, even if it was only a short visit.
Sitka Natural History Seminar Series
The Natural History Seminar series is sponsored by UAS Sitka Campus and the Sitka Sound Science Center. Started in 2006-2007 by Matt Goff and Kitty LaBounty, it was run for many years by Kitty. Since her passing, a team of folks are collaborating to keep the series going. I’ve compiled a brief overview of the history and a listing of all the speakers over the years. If you would like to subscribe to get emails about upcoming events, click on the button below.
- 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, pleasesubscribe here. There is also a Sitka Birds Facebook Group (while both are active, the Facebook group has more active participants). - you can
subscribe here(coming soon) to 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.
