Needless to say, seeing my first glacier in Juneau, Alaska in 2013 left me in awe and slack-jawed. It is a vivid memory; an imposing valley glacier glistening white with a topaz blue terminus, cradled between craggy, yet majestic, snow-capped
As a naturalist/tour guide for Gastineau Guiding Company, I spend summers leading mountain hikes and glacier viewing walks through the lofty conifers of the majestic Tongass National Forest. And if that was not happiness enough, I also lead humpback whale watching
Whereas we walk thorough a meadow and see a cornucopia of colorful flowers, hundreds of years ago, Alaska’s indigenous people saw a grocery, a pharmacy, as many native plants are edible and have medicinal properties and uses. *** Many visitors
In most U.S. states, we find islands of nature surrounded by a sea of humanity. Alaska on the other hand, has islands of humanity surrounded by a sea of nature. The capital city of Juneau is a prime example. Juneau is home to
Southeast Alaska’s summer cruise ship season may be winding down for 2015, but the humpback whales’ bubblenet feeding behavior and acrobatic antics just keep going, going, going. Most of the breeching, pectoral flipper slapping, tail lobbing, peduncle slaps and spyhopping appear to be the
One of my favorite Juneau hikes traverses through the seemingly magical alpine meadows of Mt. Roberts, about 2,000 feet above sea level and downtown Juneau. Reaching the wildflower blazon meadows is a strenuous 2+ mile adventure if you are not
Want to know why I am so mesmerized by Juneau and its marine mammals? Drop into my presentation on my experiences with Alaska whales at the February meeting of the American Cetacean Society/OC meeting. It’s free to attend. Thursday, February
Gastineau Guiding Captain Annette Smith recently captured this heart-wrenching photo of an injured Steller sea lion at Little Island in Favorite Channel just north of Juneau. “I called NOAA and reported it,” Annette said. ” Don’t know what, if anything they did, or
To truly understand the majesty of Alaska, to understand a very different way of life, I offer you Alaska-related Headlines of the Week, links to news generated by reputable news sources. Alaskadispatch.com Aug. 21 Photos Essay: For