New Breakwater

While at John Brown’s Beach during a recent low tide series, I noticed a distinct contrast between the new addition to the breakwater and that which had been there a while. I guess I am not surprised that there are differences, but it was interesting to see just how easy it was to see them. … Read more

Great Blue Heron Nest

There have been herons reported nesting out at Starrigavan several times over the years. This year there is a nest in the forest bounded by the estuary, the road, and the viewing platform parking lot. It’s a little hard to get good looks at the birds (and they probably won’t be there for much longer, … Read more

Young Surf Scoters

Young Surf Scoters between Shoals Point and St. Lazaria Surf Scoters are a common wintering bird on the near shore waters around Sitka, but most of them head north (or maybe east?) to nest on freshwater lakes. However, young birds (those that hatched the prior summer) are not ready to breed and opt not to … Read more

Winter on Verstovia

As it’s just past summer solstice, it seemed an opportune time to post a picture from a few years back (that I just recently got processed and uploaded) that makes me feel a little chill just looking at it. Winter is coming! More photos from that wintery day on Verstovia

Rhinoceros Auklet

Rhinoceros Auklet photographed on a recent trip. Taken between Vitskari Rocks and Low Island. Rhinoceros Auklets seem to be one of the more frequently encountered water birds on Sitka Sound. I don’t think they’re necessarily more abundant population-wise, but more that their feeding habits keep them around locations boats tend to travel (or at least … Read more

Young Birds

There was some wind and heavy rain this morning, but things settled down later in the day. I spent some time playing frisbee early this afternoon, and at Moller Park there was only an intermittent light wind out of the southeast with light rain falling occasionally but not often. After frisbee was a trip to … Read more