Uploads from JLS Photography - Alaska, tagged alaska, with geodata

Beautiful Alaska!

nobody@flickr.com (JLS Photography - Alaska) — Sat, 18 May 2013 21:40:45 -0700

JLS Photography - Alaska posted a photo:

The beauty of Alaska grabs you and never lets you go. Some people come and stay for awhile, and then go back to the lower 48 states, but Alaska will always remain in their hearts. Perhaps scenes like this are one of the reasons why.

Scared Ducks

nobody@flickr.com (JLS Photography - Alaska) — Sat, 18 May 2013 21:38:25 -0700

JLS Photography - Alaska posted a photo:

Five or six ducks were happily playing in this bit of open water in a river when I spotted them. I had my husband stop the truck, and I tried my best to quietly sneak up on them - but just as I got near enough for a decent shot - off they went, quick as a wink. View this large and see how many you can see.

Starting the day off right . . .

nobody@flickr.com (JLS Photography - Alaska) — Sat, 18 May 2013 16:34:30 -0700

JLS Photography - Alaska posted a photo:

I am a firm believer in a hearty breakfast, as you can see by the plate in front of me. The homemade hash was done to perfection, as were my two eggs (medium), hash browns, and hot English muffin dripping in real butter. I was sitting at Eureka Lodge when I dove into this meal. One of the best places along Alaska's Glenn Highway.
*(Taken with a Nokia Lumia 920)

Meet me for lunch?

nobody@flickr.com (JLS Photography - Alaska) — Sat, 18 May 2013 11:43:12 -0700

JLS Photography - Alaska posted a photo:

The Totem Inn In Valdez is one of the coziest places to while away a couple of hours on a dreary day. The food is excellent, the coffee superb, and the staff friendly and efficient. **This was taken with a camera phone, but I think you can see the warm inviting Alaskan décor if you click on this image. (Nokia Lumia 920)

Real or Decoy?

nobody@flickr.com (JLS Photography - Alaska) — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:14:23 -0700

JLS Photography - Alaska posted a photo:

This Mallard duck had settled down in the snow to watch the hundreds of songs birds as they ravaged the ground looking for anything edible. He sat so still it was hard to tell if he was real, or just a decoy.

Welcome Bunny!

nobody@flickr.com (JLS Photography - Alaska) — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:09:15 -0700

JLS Photography - Alaska posted a photo:

After seeing 40 to 50 snowshoes hares disappear last year - it was a delight to see this one join all of the other critters in our little corner of the Alaskan forest this morning. It looks like he came through our long winter pretty well.

Freedom!

nobody@flickr.com (JLS Photography - Alaska) — Wed, 15 May 2013 09:51:42 -0700

JLS Photography - Alaska posted a photo:

I stood alone on the banks of this frozen river, and listened as the ducks and swans clucked and honked to one another as if discussing the weather they had encountered in Alaska this year. All were searching for open water in which to fill their bellies after the long migration. Standing there these lines from a Robert Service poem came to mind. . . . .

No! There's the land. (Have you seen it?)
It's the cussedest land that I know,
From the big, dizzy mountains that screen it
To the deep, deathlike valleys below.
Some say God was tired when He made it;
Some say it's a fine land to shun;
Maybe; but there's some as would trade it
For no land on earth -- and I'm one.

*(Excerpt from Robert Service poem: "Spell of the Yukon")

Tides out . . .

nobody@flickr.com (JLS Photography - Alaska) — Wed, 15 May 2013 09:28:34 -0700

JLS Photography - Alaska posted a photo:

Not only was Valdez wallowing in deep snow last week - but the sky was a sullen gray - and the tide was out. But since I was there and had all of my trusty camera's with me - I was bound and determined to document what lay in my line of vision. Here you see the tide flats just north of downtown Valdez.

Alaskan wilderness pond

nobody@flickr.com (JLS Photography - Alaska) — Tue, 14 May 2013 21:49:00 -0700

JLS Photography - Alaska posted a photo:

It looked like spring had arrived a couple of days last week - but old man winter was back with a vengeance today, dumping 6 more inches of snow on us before days end. Luckily I took this shot during our brief two days of spring weather. This was one of the few ponds that was open around the edges, and the ducks were clucking happily as they swam around in the bright sunshine.

Caribou on the Taylor Highway

nobody@flickr.com (JLS Photography - Alaska) — Mon, 13 May 2013 20:50:00 -0700

JLS Photography - Alaska posted a photo:

Warm spring sun - a wilderness highway - and abundant wildlife. Spring time in Alaska is a great time to get out and become one with Mother Nature.

It's raining cats and ducks!

nobody@flickr.com (JLS Photography - Alaska) — Mon, 13 May 2013 18:56:14 -0700

JLS Photography - Alaska posted a photo:

As I sat eating dinner two ducks flew in just outside the cabin door, and made their selves quite at home. Pretty soon a wet bedraggled fox started sneaking through the woods, and I decided to make my self known and chase all of them away. I didn't want to see the fox have a duck dinner before my very eyes.

Moose dance . . .

nobody@flickr.com (JLS Photography - Alaska) — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:41:14 -0700

JLS Photography - Alaska posted a photo:

This bull moose was not only growing a new set of antlers with which to attract the lady moose this fall - but he was practicing his dance moves as well. He is so cool, that I'd say he will probably attract a harem. I hope he's up to it.

Pintails at play

nobody@flickr.com (JLS Photography - Alaska) — Mon, 13 May 2013 12:37:53 -0700

JLS Photography - Alaska posted a photo:

It seems like every pond and puddle is filled with ducks right now. In this shot I captured just a few of them at play. If I had tried to shoot all of them from a distance, they would have looked like ants walking across the still frozen ponds. To Alaskan's still reeling from an exceptionally cold and very long winter - this is definitely a sight for sore eyes.

Climb Every Mountain

nobody@flickr.com (JLS Photography - Alaska) — Mon, 13 May 2013 09:34:09 -0700

JLS Photography - Alaska posted a photo:

Alaska's mountains have a tremendous snow load this spring. The danger of avalanches is a big problem - so if you can't climb a mountain physically - at least we can still climb with the aid of camera lenses - and boy-oh-boy is it pretty at the top.

Sleepy Trumpeter Swans

nobody@flickr.com (JLS Photography - Alaska) — Sun, 12 May 2013 09:23:12 -0700

JLS Photography - Alaska posted a photo:

I noticed this slumbering pair of Trumpeter Swans on a remote wilderness pond. I wondered . . . Were they claiming the pond and waiting for it to thaw, so they could build their nest? If so - they needed to find vegetation to keep up their body weight to tackle the job. Were they simply exhausted from their long flight and decided to set down and rest awhile? If so they didn't have to worry about being disturbed as they were way off of the beaten path. I snapped my photos and tip-toed away. ** (Best viewed large)

Description: Weighing from 25-35 pounds when fully grown, the trumpeter swan is the world's largest waterfowl. When fully extended, their wingspan can reach nearly eight feet. The trumpeter is similar in appearance to other white swans, but their foreheads slope evenly to an all black bill.
Habitat: The Trumpeter swan resides in North America, mainly in isolated populations in western Canada and the western United States. They were formerly more widespread. They inhabit lakes, ponds, large rivers, bays and sometimes grain fields.
Diet: Consists of insects, aquatic vegetation and roots. The swans tip up like mallards and root through the mud for their favorite roots. Their long necks give them an advantage. They can feed much deeper than either Canada geese or dabbling ducks
Reproduction: Eighty five percent of the worlds population of Trumpeter Swans, breed in Alaska. The breeding season of the trumpeter swans begins in April and May. The number of eggs that are lain by a female Trumpeter swan can be anywhere from 2-10 eggs. They normally do not breed until their fourth year. They also form strong pair bonds that can last for years. Their nests can be huge, at times reaching five feet across, and they are usually built among aquatic plants like cattails. They will often use the tops of muskrat houses for a nest base. After hatching, young trumpeters stay with the parents until the next spring when the pair begins nesting. Survival of young trumpeter swans is often high because of this extra parental attention.

It's a tough life . . .

nobody@flickr.com (JLS Photography - Alaska) — Sat, 11 May 2013 17:14:33 -0700

JLS Photography - Alaska posted a photo:

This bull moose should be dining on fresh willow leaves at this time of year - but has had to settle for foraging for his food. He was on his front knees digging away at the edge of a frozen pond when I spotted him. When his head rose up - water was running from his mouth. Perhaps it was running just under the snows surface. Notice that his antlers have begun growing already. He should have a pretty impressive set come the fall rutting season. ** (View large to see his long eyelashes)

Pond in Spring

nobody@flickr.com (JLS Photography - Alaska) — Sat, 11 May 2013 07:24:59 -0700

JLS Photography - Alaska posted a photo:

Where is spring? My husband and I have searched from Tolsona Alaska, to Tok Alaska, and on to Valdez Alaska, over the past few days, and have yet to find spring. The snow has measured up to as much as four feet near Tok, to well over five feet in Valdez, and I'm not talking about snow piled up by plows. I am talking about the snow measured on level ground. However - I am happy to report that the main roads are dry and bare, and the temperatures are ranging from the forties to fifties. So I have been busy snapping Alaska's beautiful scenery, and will share it with all of my dear Flickr friends over the next few days.
Wishing all of you a happy and peaceful weekend.

Might as well laugh . .

nobody@flickr.com (JLS Photography - Alaska) — Thu, 09 May 2013 17:17:19 -0700

JLS Photography - Alaska posted a photo:

I am off for a few days in search of spring. As my husband and I headed off to the northeast of our cabin yesterday, the snow just got deeper and deeper. In some areas 4 foot of snow is still on the ground, and the moose and caribou are having a tough time making their way through it. However when we saw this snowman at the end of a long drive way - we just had to laugh. At least some Alaskan's are able to maintain a sense of humor through one of the longest winters I can remember since arriving here 37 years ago. Maybe this jolly snowman is right . . . at least there are no mosquito's.

She stands beside our cabin . .

nobody@flickr.com (JLS Photography - Alaska) — Tue, 07 May 2013 10:00:55 -0700

JLS Photography - Alaska posted a photo:

It's early morning, and as I reach for my first cup of coffee - I look up to see our closest neighbor strolling around the cabin as if she were lady of the manor. She now has a limp in her hind leg. It seems to change daily. I think it is due to her energetic pouncing on the crusty snow in search of shrews. She is still fat and sassy, and a never ending source of entertainment. But if I just step outside and she sees me - she is off like a shot. That is exactly how I want her to behave - and that is the only way she will survive. *Best on black.

Red Fox . . .

The red fox crosses the ice
intent on none of my business.
It’s winter and slim pickings.

I stand in the bushy cemetery,
pretending to watch birds,
but really watching the fox
who could care less.
She pauses on the sheer glare
of the pond. She knows I’m there,
sniffs me in the wind at her shoulder.
If I had a gun or dog
or a raw heart, she’d smell it.
She didn’t get this smart for nothing

(An excerpt): By Margaret Atwood

Break-up . . .

nobody@flickr.com (JLS Photography - Alaska) — Wed, 08 May 2013 08:36:57 -0700

JLS Photography - Alaska posted a photo:

Time for my mud shoes, as things will be melting at a rapid pace over the next several days. It is nice to see the earth emerge, even if it is a sloppy mess.
I also saw my first fly, and a tiny moth this morning - sure signs of spring. Now I am going off to see if I can find some spring photo-ops to share.
HHD everyone.