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. Later I recognized the value it had as a reminder and reference for myself.
I’ve only begun to understand what others have reflected back to me over the years. There are some who are touched by this place and how it comes through what I share here. The quote from Merrill has helped crystallize this in my awareness.
Though still rooted in its beginnings, this project is now starting to feel bigger than me. I see myself working to be more open, with an intention to do my best to stay out of the way of what this place would convey through me for others.
Photojournal
Recent Updates (includes older recently published or updated entries – go to the Photojournal page for only recent entries):
Daily Observations
3 December Photos: On the Ice at Swan Lake
Gloomy December
Radio Show/Podcast
Sitka Nature Show #339 – Laura Kaltenstein
Sitka Nature Show #338 – Andy Szabo and Lauren Eckert
Sitka Nature Show #337 – Zach LaPerriere
Explore the Archive
Today in Sitka Nature History:
Thick-billed Murre and Other Birds at Sawmill Cove
December 4, 2024
Overcast and warm. Rain late. Last night when I was out to shuttle a friend from the airport, I was a little surprised to see fog near the lake. I … Read more
Sitka Nature Show #277 – Jen and Victoria
December 4, 2022
Download Radio Show The December 4th show featured a conversation with Victoria Vosburg and Jen Cedarleaf. We spoke about the upcoming Christmas Bird Count, got an update on the highly … Read more
Snowy Starrigavan High Tide
December 4, 2021
Mostly clear through the first half of the day, then clouds and a few light snow showers later. I braved the roads to check Starrigavan at high tide. Today’s high … Read more
- SitkaBirds email List (subscribe here)
- 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 here) to receive the announcements
- The Birds of Sitka, Alaska by J. Dan Webster.
- A comprehensive summary of published historical records (including looks at museum specimens) for the Sitka area.
- Species Checklists for Southeast Alaska (links below are currently only intermittently active, I have some work to do on that site)
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- Birds
- Mammals
- Vascular Plants
- Bryophytes
- Lichens (incomplete)
- 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.
THANKS FOR THE INSPIRATION TO COME HOME SOON! CLASS OF ’94 KARI NILES (BLANKENSHIP)
This is an amazing effort, already well underway! As a botanist/naturalist, I naturally went straight to the plant page. Two hemlocks! You are so lucky. Thanks for the great photos and site!
Thanks for the great site. Was referred to by Marge Ward and Marlys Tedin (my aunt). I’m a displaced native (not a blood native, just born there) Now living in Chicago. Your site really tugs my strings to get back there for an extended period of time. Keep it up. Your photography is really coming along! Hard to take a bad shot around that area, if you are “in it” as much as you are. Keep hiking and sending pics. I’ll be there soon!
I had a friend send me some of the sound clips you have made. Wonderful! Do you have a mailing list in which you send out info from time to time? if so, please put me on it! great work! pat
An eastern kingbird: St. Lazaria Island, 2 July 2010…. made forays from its foraging perch in a lone mature Sitka spruce on a slope otherwise dominated by rye grass and salmonberry.
Thank you for posting all this photos, and keeping updated your quest of knowledge and beauty. I feel like walking with you on this wild path, day by day, you who wander, in this distant country. Magic of internet.
Up In Pelican…Have had a Short-eared Owl around, and a small flock of
Lapland Longspurs. Don’t see them often !
Thanks for the report from Pelican – nice to hear what’s going on in some of the less populated areas of the region!
Dear Naturalist,
Do yoy know of a database containing observations of all kinds of species (but certainly mammals and birds are of utmost interest) in the Sitka area? (or perhaps all of southeast Alaska).
I’m writing from Denmark. I once visited Sitka, it was a brief stay, but I hope to return next spring.
Best regards Mads Kusk
Mads – check out Southeast Alaska Natural History Wiki – there are other sources that have a bit more depth for some things, but that’s probably the best single source for what you’re looking for.
Thanks for all your hard work on this site. I have you in my RSS feed and read every post!
Thanks Rab – I appreciate your interest and encouragement!
Thank you for identifying my many plants on iNaturalist. I had no service for 10 days so just took pictures to upload later. The plant life in Yakutat is quite different from the plant life is south Texas. I was however pleasantly surprised to find a number or plants that were native to both.