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.
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.
If you are in Sitka, I will have calendars and prints for sale at the Made in Sitka Holiday Market at the Centennial Building on December 14th and 15th.
Photojournal
The core of this site is my photojournal, featuring photos and written journals from my experience in nature. (From often fall behind on publishing and as a result will add new/old posts backdated from years ago. See Recent Photojournal Updates to see the new/old posts and other updates.
Thunder Shower
Price Street Vegetation
Beaver Lake Uplands
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:
Sawmill Cove Bird Observations
December 12, 2024
Overcast with light winds. Temperatures in the upper 30s to near 40F. Snow levels dropped back down to near treeline overnight, and even further this morning. I spent another long … Read more
Rainy Winter Day Birds
December 12, 2022
Dim, warmer, wet and breezy. Highs in the low 40s. Temperatures warmed sufficiently and enough rain fell that main roads which had seen reasonable traffic were clear of ice. This … Read more
Sunday Birds and Sunset
December 12, 2021
Snow this morning, overcast through much of the day. Partial clearing this evening. Calm when I first went out, but the wind picked up a bit. I noticed some gusty … 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
- 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.