Anchorage is the gateway to Alaska for most travelers. An astounding 40% of the population of the state live there.
- Alyeska is an archaic spelling of the Aleut word Alaska meaning “mainland” or “great land”. Remember, Alaska is nearly two and a half times as large as Texas.
- Mike is ready to brave all bears, even the really still ones.
- The hills are alive with the Sound of Music!
- Fireweed is a native plant, so called because it’s the first colonizer after a fire. Note how hazy the mountains are – from a fire in the distance.
- Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center cares for injured and orphaned animals. This grizzly was raised with a full tummy, that’s for sure.
- Another AWCC grizzly, who can even smile for the camera.
- A lone bald eagle, surveying his kingdom.
- The mountain goat is the undisputed master of terrifying heights and seemingly impossible-to-scale cliff faces.
- This nanny (female) goat is starting to shed her winter coat.
- A cute little kid!
- Did you know that 5% of Alaska is covered by glaciers?! We’re losing them rapidly due to global warming. Tidewater glaciers were recently discovered to be melting underwater 100 times faster than scientists previously thought.
- We’re within 300 yards of the Portage Glacier. So close you can hear the ice crack.
- A little piece of iceberg.
- Even on a balmy 80 degree day, it’s a little chilly when the breeze glides over the ice before it hits you.
- Just for a sense of scale, I added an arrow to point out a teeny tiny canoe.
- Alaskans looking for a non barking relationship.
- This hide comes from the largest land mammal in North America. The wood bison can weigh up to 2,000 lbs.
- Alaska’s motto is “North to the Future”, and their state flag sports the Big Dipper and the North Star.
Leave A Comment