When last I left you I was telling you about the McNeil River trip I took in June. Before I finish that story let me get you up to date on what is going on here in the present at Brooks Camp. Lurch was reported to have attacked a bear on the valley road and ate him last week. He has done it again. This time at Brooks Camp on the closed trail about 50 yards from the gate of the floating bridge. Not only did he kill and feast on another subadult but buried what he could not finish. Yesterday, live on the web cam he dragged the remains out of his dug hole and feasted. National Parks let nature take its course and this is a part of nature. One we don't usually get a glimpse of. None of the staff have been able to ID the subadults. We will have to wait to see who doesn't appear next year as the last of the staff left Brooks Camp today. And though this is nature at its most dangerous. If Lurch were to kill one more time, in human terms he would be considered a serial killer.
Now if we retrace my steps and go back to McNeil we spent the last day of bear viewing at the famous McNeil falls. Where in 2011 they counted 72 bears feeding at one time. I was in total shock when I saw how close we were to sit by the river. Right next to the falls. I mean right next to the water. Now we were in there in the middle of June so the salmon had not started their big push yet, so there were no bears actually fishing yet. We only spent a few hours getting a look at the place. Not only do they sit and watch the action from so close but they eat their lunch right there. That includes eating salmon. It is amazing to me that humans and bears can live together at such close distances and not get hurt. Again the leaders of McNeil carry weapons and when asked what they do if there is a territory fight in the river that gets close. The answer was they throw a chair at the bears to break up the battle. Crazy! But it was an amazing place to visit.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Thursday, October 4, 2012
First Spring cub
Going back to June and the day I saw my first spring cub.
I am going back in time to my trip to McNeil River State Park. We are there to compare management techniques with the staff. We have hiked through the sedge meadow and are sitting on a group of logs watching bears. We are sitting near a river (not the McNeil). When along came a sow with one little spring cub.
The cub was so cute. It was running after mom. Mom checked out the river for salmon. She munched on grass then she headed up the river. The little guy went running after. Everyone was taking pictures and were ooh and aahing over how cute.
For the next five minutes watched a few subadults go by. We could see the couple mating in the field. It was a good time. There was never a time where we didn't see a bear. Then we heard a sound. A growl and huff and running footsteps. From up river came the sow. She was running and calling. But no cub was following. She ran up hill and down. She ran along the river. She sniffed along the ground. She huffed and growled and yelled. She ran out of site down river.
The whole time she was in our view there was no cute little cub. Some how she had lost it. She was back minutes later on our side of the river. She ran past us in the same panicked behavior. Then she was out of site again. This scene played out for an hour. She would show up running and calling then ran back. At no time did we see the cub. Then a heard the cub call. Then it was heard by more members of the group. Problem was mom was not around.
Then across the river in a large clump of trees a few of us saw the cub run across in to the trees. But mom still had not come back. And of course we had lost sight of the cub and no longer heard it. As a group, though we wanted the two to meet up, we decided to move up river and see how the action was up there. Once we moved about a 1/2 mile we saw the sow.
She was no longer panicked. She was no longer huffing or growling or running back and forth. No she hadn't found the cub. she did however find a big ole salmon and was having a nice dinner. Then she caught another, then another and another. She had filled her stomach quite nicely and had forgotten all about her sweet little baby all alone in the woods with no one to love and protect her. Needless to say the group was quite upset with this terrible mother.
Finally it was time to go back to camp. We had spent over 12 hours of bear watching. We never did see the cub again. We did see the sow many times through the rest of our stay but she seemed to have forgotten she had a baby. So I saw my first cub and then I lost my first cub. How sad is that?
In King Salmon today it was meetings and birthday celebrations. The sun was out and the wind was blowing 50 miles an hour. Not much in the way of adventures.
I am going back in time to my trip to McNeil River State Park. We are there to compare management techniques with the staff. We have hiked through the sedge meadow and are sitting on a group of logs watching bears. We are sitting near a river (not the McNeil). When along came a sow with one little spring cub.
The cub was so cute. It was running after mom. Mom checked out the river for salmon. She munched on grass then she headed up the river. The little guy went running after. Everyone was taking pictures and were ooh and aahing over how cute.
For the next five minutes watched a few subadults go by. We could see the couple mating in the field. It was a good time. There was never a time where we didn't see a bear. Then we heard a sound. A growl and huff and running footsteps. From up river came the sow. She was running and calling. But no cub was following. She ran up hill and down. She ran along the river. She sniffed along the ground. She huffed and growled and yelled. She ran out of site down river.
The whole time she was in our view there was no cute little cub. Some how she had lost it. She was back minutes later on our side of the river. She ran past us in the same panicked behavior. Then she was out of site again. This scene played out for an hour. She would show up running and calling then ran back. At no time did we see the cub. Then a heard the cub call. Then it was heard by more members of the group. Problem was mom was not around.
Then across the river in a large clump of trees a few of us saw the cub run across in to the trees. But mom still had not come back. And of course we had lost sight of the cub and no longer heard it. As a group, though we wanted the two to meet up, we decided to move up river and see how the action was up there. Once we moved about a 1/2 mile we saw the sow.
She was no longer panicked. She was no longer huffing or growling or running back and forth. No she hadn't found the cub. she did however find a big ole salmon and was having a nice dinner. Then she caught another, then another and another. She had filled her stomach quite nicely and had forgotten all about her sweet little baby all alone in the woods with no one to love and protect her. Needless to say the group was quite upset with this terrible mother.
Finally it was time to go back to camp. We had spent over 12 hours of bear watching. We never did see the cub again. We did see the sow many times through the rest of our stay but she seemed to have forgotten she had a baby. So I saw my first cub and then I lost my first cub. How sad is that?
In King Salmon today it was meetings and birthday celebrations. The sun was out and the wind was blowing 50 miles an hour. Not much in the way of adventures.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Spring Activities at McNeil
Watching bears at McNeil is quite the experience. While you can be close to bears at Katmai you are usually above them. At McNeil you hike through the muck and mud and sit on logs and let the bears be bears. This may mean they walk right up to the group. The guide is always ready to do what is necessary even if that means shooting the bear but for the most part the bears are use to humans being at a close proximity. We got to see quite a few bears on our first day out.
McNeil contains a very large sedge meadow. This is where most of the bears were hanging out. Being it was spring the bears were doing the natural thing. Eating, sleeping and having sex. What a life. We saw some peculiar mating rituals, we saw a female chase off a smaller female near a male only to turn around and play hard to get with the same male. It was comical to watch. We saw a female come out of the woods and fight with one male who was not exactly small in size, then head off to another bigger male and almost demand to be mated. The boar however was not too keen on granting her wishes. That did not stop her as she kept everyone away from the male until he finally gave in to her demands.
Then there was one male who we saw mate with one female and within minutes mate with another. Spend 45 minutes to an hour mating with her and finish and find another female. I think I counted 7 females that boar mated with while we were there. I never did see him eat. Wonder how he kept the stamina up.
There were bear couples that nuzzled and played and curled up together before and after mating. Then there were the love them and loose them couples and even a couple where the female showed no interest at all in the activities. While he was doing his thing she just stood there waiting. Every once in a while glancing back to see if he was done yet. Then when he finally got off her she just started to eat grass. Like nothing had ever happened. Life, got to love it.
McNeil contains a very large sedge meadow. This is where most of the bears were hanging out. Being it was spring the bears were doing the natural thing. Eating, sleeping and having sex. What a life. We saw some peculiar mating rituals, we saw a female chase off a smaller female near a male only to turn around and play hard to get with the same male. It was comical to watch. We saw a female come out of the woods and fight with one male who was not exactly small in size, then head off to another bigger male and almost demand to be mated. The boar however was not too keen on granting her wishes. That did not stop her as she kept everyone away from the male until he finally gave in to her demands.
Then there was one male who we saw mate with one female and within minutes mate with another. Spend 45 minutes to an hour mating with her and finish and find another female. I think I counted 7 females that boar mated with while we were there. I never did see him eat. Wonder how he kept the stamina up.
There were bear couples that nuzzled and played and curled up together before and after mating. Then there were the love them and loose them couples and even a couple where the female showed no interest at all in the activities. While he was doing his thing she just stood there waiting. Every once in a while glancing back to see if he was done yet. Then when he finally got off her she just started to eat grass. Like nothing had ever happened. Life, got to love it.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Heading to McNeil River
The first week of June I returned once again to MN for a weeks vacation with all my family. When I returned to King Salmon I had just a couple of days to catch up on office work and then it was off to McNeil River.
McNeil River is an Alaska State Park. It is found north of Katmai and also has a high number of brown bears. Last summer they had 72 bears in the river at one time. Pretty amazing. Unlike Katmai and other Alaskan parks, to be allowed to go to McNeil you have to win the lottery. Only 250 people a year are allowed to visit with 60% of those being Alaskan residents. The biologist of Katmai were going there on a science permit to compare notes on how they manage their bears compared to Katmai's plan.
The only way to get to McNeil is to fly and being on the coast flying in can be tricky. Luckily we had no problem except our pilot had no idea where to land. Once there you are led to the camping area. You may arrive a day or two early and stay a day or two later depending on your flight but only 10 visitors a day can go bear viewing. The camp has 16 sites for tents. It has a wonderful cook cabin complete with dishes to cook in. Better cookware than I own. It has three large tables, a small library,and a few games and puzzles for the really crappy days. It also has artwork, photos and sayings left from past visitors on the wall. And on the other end of camp there is also a little sauna where you can wash away the dirt from the long day. Two outhouses are a short walk outside of camp. I can't really say your roughing it at McNeil at all.
The camp is surrounded by willows and alder bushes. when we arrived the sun was out and the birds were singing. We set up camp and took a walk along the beach. I was told it was a great place to beach comb. But on the first day there was no treasures found.
McNeil River is an Alaska State Park. It is found north of Katmai and also has a high number of brown bears. Last summer they had 72 bears in the river at one time. Pretty amazing. Unlike Katmai and other Alaskan parks, to be allowed to go to McNeil you have to win the lottery. Only 250 people a year are allowed to visit with 60% of those being Alaskan residents. The biologist of Katmai were going there on a science permit to compare notes on how they manage their bears compared to Katmai's plan.
The only way to get to McNeil is to fly and being on the coast flying in can be tricky. Luckily we had no problem except our pilot had no idea where to land. Once there you are led to the camping area. You may arrive a day or two early and stay a day or two later depending on your flight but only 10 visitors a day can go bear viewing. The camp has 16 sites for tents. It has a wonderful cook cabin complete with dishes to cook in. Better cookware than I own. It has three large tables, a small library,and a few games and puzzles for the really crappy days. It also has artwork, photos and sayings left from past visitors on the wall. And on the other end of camp there is also a little sauna where you can wash away the dirt from the long day. Two outhouses are a short walk outside of camp. I can't really say your roughing it at McNeil at all.
The camp is surrounded by willows and alder bushes. when we arrived the sun was out and the birds were singing. We set up camp and took a walk along the beach. I was told it was a great place to beach comb. But on the first day there was no treasures found.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Bear Survey Bust
During the last weeks of May, my partner was performing bear den and bear stream surveys. They spent two weeks looking for bear dens running over 100 transects and only saw three dens. Brown bears dig their dens in higher elevations usually around 1300 feet. With all the snow we had last winter and the cold spring bears were not leaving their cozy dens. It was a total surprise that they saw so few dens.
Next they flew over streams looking for the bears that had emerged. Only a few boars were seen. The were only one or two females and no family groups were seen at all. The surveys were to see how fall hunting had effected the population but with all them still asleep, we did not learn a whole lot.
Jumping to October 1st and there is exciting news from Brooks Camp. Probably not great news to most of you but exciting. Seems one of the big boars chased a subadult down the valley road yesterday. He evidently caught it and killed it. Then he proceeded to eat it. One of the contractors working at camp caught the whole thing on video. I have not seen it yet but I am sure some day in the future it will be on you tube for all of us to enjoy.
Next they flew over streams looking for the bears that had emerged. Only a few boars were seen. The were only one or two females and no family groups were seen at all. The surveys were to see how fall hunting had effected the population but with all them still asleep, we did not learn a whole lot.
Jumping to October 1st and there is exciting news from Brooks Camp. Probably not great news to most of you but exciting. Seems one of the big boars chased a subadult down the valley road yesterday. He evidently caught it and killed it. Then he proceeded to eat it. One of the contractors working at camp caught the whole thing on video. I have not seen it yet but I am sure some day in the future it will be on you tube for all of us to enjoy.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Hello Tundra!
Back in time to end of May
I have spent four days in Brooks. We have had no excitement. No bears, no other animals. There have been barely any birds. So all I have been doing is training staff. I had given up on seeing any bears this trip and was packed and ready to head back to King Salmon and as I trekked back to the camp from BL3 I wasn't even thinking bears just what need to be done at home before I leave again. When I reached the river I almost missed her lying on the downriver island.
There was Tundra. She was doing just what she was doing last year when I first saw her, digging holes and eating who knows what. She was bigger than last year and though thinner than the fall she looked good. It was totally fitting that my first bear of both seasons was Tundra. I stood and watched her as long as I could before I had to catch the boat back to Lake Camp. So I did not get skunked on my first visit. It just made me anxious to get back.
Though the last week in May was all training there was some excitement in the fact that the BBC had arrived to film a documentary at Brooks. They set up cameras that recorded activity at the falls platform during the month of July. They arrived in May to set up camera equipment. They also traveled to Hallo Bay and other coastal areas to get pictures out there. The film crew worked hard and long and are currently editing the film shot. In July of 2013 the film will be shown on the BBC network. Keep your eyes out for it.
Also arriving at Brooks the last week of May were the people from explore.org. They have set up web cams at the falls platform and at the lower river platform to let people watch the bears. It is a huge hit. Go to explore.org and watch yourself. You will see the high water of the river. Lots of male bears catching fish. You might even see Beadnose and family.
I have spent four days in Brooks. We have had no excitement. No bears, no other animals. There have been barely any birds. So all I have been doing is training staff. I had given up on seeing any bears this trip and was packed and ready to head back to King Salmon and as I trekked back to the camp from BL3 I wasn't even thinking bears just what need to be done at home before I leave again. When I reached the river I almost missed her lying on the downriver island.
There was Tundra. She was doing just what she was doing last year when I first saw her, digging holes and eating who knows what. She was bigger than last year and though thinner than the fall she looked good. It was totally fitting that my first bear of both seasons was Tundra. I stood and watched her as long as I could before I had to catch the boat back to Lake Camp. So I did not get skunked on my first visit. It just made me anxious to get back.
Though the last week in May was all training there was some excitement in the fact that the BBC had arrived to film a documentary at Brooks. They set up cameras that recorded activity at the falls platform during the month of July. They arrived in May to set up camera equipment. They also traveled to Hallo Bay and other coastal areas to get pictures out there. The film crew worked hard and long and are currently editing the film shot. In July of 2013 the film will be shown on the BBC network. Keep your eyes out for it.
Also arriving at Brooks the last week of May were the people from explore.org. They have set up web cams at the falls platform and at the lower river platform to let people watch the bears. It is a huge hit. Go to explore.org and watch yourself. You will see the high water of the river. Lots of male bears catching fish. You might even see Beadnose and family.
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Where are the bears?
Returning to May
It is my second day at Brooks Camp and I have yet to see a bear. Even the maintenance men haven't seen a bear. We still have deep snow in the upper elevations. My partner is actually flying den surveys while I am at Brooks. So far they have not found too many dens open yet this spring. The bears are staying in the dens much longer than last year. I am beginning to wonder if I will see a bear any time soon.
Most of my day was spent training the summer staff. We have such a great group. I am glad however that I will not have to go through dunker and MOCC training again this year. While they go through that training the rest of the week I will be working on cameras and some spotting some bird identification sites to perform surveys in a couple of weeks.
Today in King Salmon
I woke up to a frosty chill in the air. As the sky lightened up the fog came in. the temperature was below freezing so the frost froze on everything it touched. I guess I can say winter is on its way.
It is my second day at Brooks Camp and I have yet to see a bear. Even the maintenance men haven't seen a bear. We still have deep snow in the upper elevations. My partner is actually flying den surveys while I am at Brooks. So far they have not found too many dens open yet this spring. The bears are staying in the dens much longer than last year. I am beginning to wonder if I will see a bear any time soon.
Most of my day was spent training the summer staff. We have such a great group. I am glad however that I will not have to go through dunker and MOCC training again this year. While they go through that training the rest of the week I will be working on cameras and some spotting some bird identification sites to perform surveys in a couple of weeks.
Today in King Salmon
I woke up to a frosty chill in the air. As the sky lightened up the fog came in. the temperature was below freezing so the frost froze on everything it touched. I guess I can say winter is on its way.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Land of the Voles
I have spent most of the summer in the field somewhere and had little time to use the Internet. So after being gone for 4 months I am now going back in time to share my summer adventures with you while I try to keep you informed of things going on today too.
Yesterday I told you what Brooks Camp looked like when I arrived and left off with me going to BL3 to unpack. BL3 is a beautiful old cabin. It looks out over Lake Brooks. I love it. But when I arrived I was told that I was sharing my room. No, not with another human but a furry little creature. That furry little creature is a vole. Small like a mouse with short rounded ears. They are not as good as climbers as mice but just as annoying. I am not a fan of these members of the rodent family. And I was not excited to be sharing my room with the creatures.
BL3 has never had a rodent problem before. Why did we suddenly have a little guest. Seems one of my roommates left a bag of potato chips in his room at the end of last season and with the cold winter and warm cabin supplied with food the vole(s) made themselves at home. I had unpacked my belongings and was talking with my roommates when I spotted the first vole.
Little?!? Not exactly. This vole racing around the room on some kind of sugar high was huge and round and barely kept his belly off the floor. He was huge and looked more like a guinea pig than a vole. It was a vole on steroids. I could not get over how big it was. Not only that but it was racing around the room like it owned the joint. First act of business. Call the boss.
No I wasn't going to demand a new house or an exterminator but I had to have the rules qualified for me. Animals in a national park are protected. From the big bears to the tiniest ant or mosquito. Even the overgrown vole has its rights to live. I wanted to know if we had a course of action. I was told we could not kill it. Fine, I can't kill it but can I trap it? The answer? YES.
So my first night at Brooks was spent laying live traps for voles around the house. I hope the big guy enters the trap soon.
Back to Sept and what is going on in Alaska today. The Anchorage paper had a story of an albino moose spotted with a brown calf. The article included a picture of mother and calf. It was interesting news but frustrating as I haven't even seen a brown cow and now white ones are appearing. I tell you the moose are playing with my mind.
Yesterday I told you what Brooks Camp looked like when I arrived and left off with me going to BL3 to unpack. BL3 is a beautiful old cabin. It looks out over Lake Brooks. I love it. But when I arrived I was told that I was sharing my room. No, not with another human but a furry little creature. That furry little creature is a vole. Small like a mouse with short rounded ears. They are not as good as climbers as mice but just as annoying. I am not a fan of these members of the rodent family. And I was not excited to be sharing my room with the creatures.
BL3 has never had a rodent problem before. Why did we suddenly have a little guest. Seems one of my roommates left a bag of potato chips in his room at the end of last season and with the cold winter and warm cabin supplied with food the vole(s) made themselves at home. I had unpacked my belongings and was talking with my roommates when I spotted the first vole.
Little?!? Not exactly. This vole racing around the room on some kind of sugar high was huge and round and barely kept his belly off the floor. He was huge and looked more like a guinea pig than a vole. It was a vole on steroids. I could not get over how big it was. Not only that but it was racing around the room like it owned the joint. First act of business. Call the boss.
No I wasn't going to demand a new house or an exterminator but I had to have the rules qualified for me. Animals in a national park are protected. From the big bears to the tiniest ant or mosquito. Even the overgrown vole has its rights to live. I wanted to know if we had a course of action. I was told we could not kill it. Fine, I can't kill it but can I trap it? The answer? YES.
So my first night at Brooks was spent laying live traps for voles around the house. I hope the big guy enters the trap soon.
Back to Sept and what is going on in Alaska today. The Anchorage paper had a story of an albino moose spotted with a brown calf. The article included a picture of mother and calf. It was interesting news but frustrating as I haven't even seen a brown cow and now white ones are appearing. I tell you the moose are playing with my mind.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Back to Brooks
So lets go back in time and return to the month of May. My last blog talked about the wonderful experience I had while surveying eagle nests.
Once I finished the eagle disaster it off to my first week at Brooks Camp. I was excited and anxious to see all my favorite bears; Tundra, 402 and the little cub and of course 284. It was time to show the seasonals where they would be staying for the next four months and to go through all the necessary trainings to keep them safe for the season. Luckily a lot of our staff were returning from last year.
Once I landed and unloaded on the beach of Naknek Lake I took in all the beauty that I remembered from last fall. Only this year there were quite a few changes. For one, the mountains had a ton of snow on them. Even Dumpling which is the lowest mountain in elevation had snow on it. I passed snow banks on the sides of the trail to the ranger station. Maintenance people were still trying to unfreeze water pipes to all the cabins. But the most amazing thing was that the water levels were extremely high for spring. The beach was all ready non-existent and the islands in the river were all ready covered with water.
Once in the ranger station I got updated on conditions at the camp. The valley road was closed as there was still 10 feet of snow on the road. Unbelievable, but then we did have a lot of snow throughout the winter. Cabins were cold and the only wildlife that had been seen so far are the bats hiding in the buildings to keep warm.
Next on the agenda a walk to the falls. Did I say walk? Climb is more like it. The visitor center weather station recorded a day in Feb. where the winds were 90 miles an hour. The damage from the winds was evident on the falls trail. At least 30 trees had blown down over the trail. In some places you could not even find the trail. The normal 20 minute hike took me over an hour. I climbed over and crawled under trees. Not sure if the crew was going to clean up that mess before visitors arrived.
Once at the falls you could not miss how fast or how high the water was.
So all day long while I explored the camp all I could think about is how are we going to get camp ready to open. Then it was off to BL3 to unpack. Quite a different first day at Brooks then last year and oh yah no bears!!!!!
Once I finished the eagle disaster it off to my first week at Brooks Camp. I was excited and anxious to see all my favorite bears; Tundra, 402 and the little cub and of course 284. It was time to show the seasonals where they would be staying for the next four months and to go through all the necessary trainings to keep them safe for the season. Luckily a lot of our staff were returning from last year.
Once I landed and unloaded on the beach of Naknek Lake I took in all the beauty that I remembered from last fall. Only this year there were quite a few changes. For one, the mountains had a ton of snow on them. Even Dumpling which is the lowest mountain in elevation had snow on it. I passed snow banks on the sides of the trail to the ranger station. Maintenance people were still trying to unfreeze water pipes to all the cabins. But the most amazing thing was that the water levels were extremely high for spring. The beach was all ready non-existent and the islands in the river were all ready covered with water.
Once in the ranger station I got updated on conditions at the camp. The valley road was closed as there was still 10 feet of snow on the road. Unbelievable, but then we did have a lot of snow throughout the winter. Cabins were cold and the only wildlife that had been seen so far are the bats hiding in the buildings to keep warm.
Next on the agenda a walk to the falls. Did I say walk? Climb is more like it. The visitor center weather station recorded a day in Feb. where the winds were 90 miles an hour. The damage from the winds was evident on the falls trail. At least 30 trees had blown down over the trail. In some places you could not even find the trail. The normal 20 minute hike took me over an hour. I climbed over and crawled under trees. Not sure if the crew was going to clean up that mess before visitors arrived.
Once at the falls you could not miss how fast or how high the water was.
So all day long while I explored the camp all I could think about is how are we going to get camp ready to open. Then it was off to BL3 to unpack. Quite a different first day at Brooks then last year and oh yah no bears!!!!!
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Where Have I Been
What a season I have had. My schedule has been nuts and I have had little time in King Salmon to communicate on the blog. Not too worry I plan on getting everyone caught up with my adventures in Alaska. But before I travel back to the past let me tell you about the storm yesterday that hit King Salmon.
I was asleep when I heard the wind howl. Wind storms are quite common in King Salmon. What would be called a hurricane in the south is just another windy day here. But last night it got a little creepy. It was 3 in the morning and I awoke to the sound of the wind hitting the house. Then I heard what sounded like the roof being ripped off and rolling across the rest of the roof. Metal banged and rattled. I layed in bed covered up wondering if I should be worried or if I was imagining it. When things quieted down I went back to sleep. I wanted to check out the outside of the house but it was still dark when I walked the dog and still dark by the time I went to work.
After I had got to work, my boss came in and asked if I knew where the boat was parked. Our department has a boat that we use to carry gear to Brooks Camp and do run surveys with on Naknek Lake. I had no idea where the guys that work for me docked it last but assumed it was in its usual spot at Lake Camp. But I was told that it was not where it was suppose to be. My boss and the guys that work for me left for Lake Camp, loaded with waders and diving suits. By 2 pm they were back for a hot lunch and to warm up. Our boat had sunk in the storm. It had taken them most of the day to get it floating. After lunch they were going back to pull it out of the water. They had not returned by the time I had left for the end of the day.
When I got home I inspected my house. I did not lose the roof but I did have a large section of siding riped off the house. It was torn off on the wall that my bed is next to. No wonder it sounded so bad. The maintenance crew will be out tomorrow to look at it. Hopefully they can fix it before the next storm hits which by the way is some time tomorrow.
I want to apologize for being gone so long. Stay tuned to the stories of this summers excitement. I will be posting stories everyday. Stay safe and on the ground.
I was asleep when I heard the wind howl. Wind storms are quite common in King Salmon. What would be called a hurricane in the south is just another windy day here. But last night it got a little creepy. It was 3 in the morning and I awoke to the sound of the wind hitting the house. Then I heard what sounded like the roof being ripped off and rolling across the rest of the roof. Metal banged and rattled. I layed in bed covered up wondering if I should be worried or if I was imagining it. When things quieted down I went back to sleep. I wanted to check out the outside of the house but it was still dark when I walked the dog and still dark by the time I went to work.
After I had got to work, my boss came in and asked if I knew where the boat was parked. Our department has a boat that we use to carry gear to Brooks Camp and do run surveys with on Naknek Lake. I had no idea where the guys that work for me docked it last but assumed it was in its usual spot at Lake Camp. But I was told that it was not where it was suppose to be. My boss and the guys that work for me left for Lake Camp, loaded with waders and diving suits. By 2 pm they were back for a hot lunch and to warm up. Our boat had sunk in the storm. It had taken them most of the day to get it floating. After lunch they were going back to pull it out of the water. They had not returned by the time I had left for the end of the day.
When I got home I inspected my house. I did not lose the roof but I did have a large section of siding riped off the house. It was torn off on the wall that my bed is next to. No wonder it sounded so bad. The maintenance crew will be out tomorrow to look at it. Hopefully they can fix it before the next storm hits which by the way is some time tomorrow.
I want to apologize for being gone so long. Stay tuned to the stories of this summers excitement. I will be posting stories everyday. Stay safe and on the ground.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Eagle Survey Disaster
Yesterday was a beautiful day to search for bald eagles. It started out beautifully. I could not believe how much ice there is on the lakes yet as we flew out to the starting point. There is open water at Brooks Camp but only because the river is there opening things up but a boat could not make it there yet.
We got to the startign point and there in a puddle was a moose. This seemed to be a good sign as I rarely see a moose. The survey started and we were finding nests and eagles.It was awesome until my motion sickness took over. An hour into the surveys I had lost my breakfast but I kept looking and searching and finding nests. The end of the second hour of spinning around nests to gather information I lost what little I had in my stomach. But I could keep working. I had a motion sickness patch on and was sucking on ginger candy. We stopped after three hours for a bathroom and lunch break and by the time the plan landed I was again close to heaving my guts again. I went for a walk to try to settle my stomach and to stay away from the rest of the team while they happily downed their lunch.
We started out again. I found two more nest within minutes of each other. Again spinning in circles around the nest to gather the information. I found a third nest that the other team members didn't see. We circled around and they saw the nest and I took pictures then the dry heaves began. We had to circle around again to get GPS coordinates. My team members could not find the nest. I was busy loosing my insides to point it out to them so we just kept circling and I kept up heaving. By the time we had finally GPS the nest I was totally spent. Yet it wasn't over. 5 minutes later I spotted another. Three more spins. With the way my stomach was feeling I could not concentrate anymore. I had to call it a day. And while we were flying back to drop me off I dry heaved for another five minutes.
The team dropped me off then went out to finish the days transect. I got driven home and was told I was greener than the hulk. I laid down for an hour waiting for the world to stop spinning then headed back into the office. Overall we found 11 new nests not found on last years survey. Which is terrific but I now realize that I am not going to be able to do surveys from the plane as I can not take it.
Those of you in the contest. No bears were spotted yesterday.
We got to the startign point and there in a puddle was a moose. This seemed to be a good sign as I rarely see a moose. The survey started and we were finding nests and eagles.It was awesome until my motion sickness took over. An hour into the surveys I had lost my breakfast but I kept looking and searching and finding nests. The end of the second hour of spinning around nests to gather information I lost what little I had in my stomach. But I could keep working. I had a motion sickness patch on and was sucking on ginger candy. We stopped after three hours for a bathroom and lunch break and by the time the plan landed I was again close to heaving my guts again. I went for a walk to try to settle my stomach and to stay away from the rest of the team while they happily downed their lunch.
We started out again. I found two more nest within minutes of each other. Again spinning in circles around the nest to gather the information. I found a third nest that the other team members didn't see. We circled around and they saw the nest and I took pictures then the dry heaves began. We had to circle around again to get GPS coordinates. My team members could not find the nest. I was busy loosing my insides to point it out to them so we just kept circling and I kept up heaving. By the time we had finally GPS the nest I was totally spent. Yet it wasn't over. 5 minutes later I spotted another. Three more spins. With the way my stomach was feeling I could not concentrate anymore. I had to call it a day. And while we were flying back to drop me off I dry heaved for another five minutes.
The team dropped me off then went out to finish the days transect. I got driven home and was told I was greener than the hulk. I laid down for an hour waiting for the world to stop spinning then headed back into the office. Overall we found 11 new nests not found on last years survey. Which is terrific but I now realize that I am not going to be able to do surveys from the plane as I can not take it.
Those of you in the contest. No bears were spotted yesterday.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Year 2 Begins
I am back from the Grand Canyon and Minnesota and ready to work. The Grand Canyon was beautiful. It is considered one of the premiere parks in the National Park System. It receives over 4.5 million visitors a year. But with all its beauty it doesn't have brown bears, wolves, or moose. It is breathtakingly amazing. It also has habituated elk and mule deer. On our first night there we almost walked right into the back side of an elk. To our credit it was pitch dark. Unlike here the sun sets around 7:30 every night and rose around 5:30. We never had a day where we did not see an elk. The moose around here should take notice. I did love the training and the exploration of the park.
The 9 days with my family was wonderful. I traveled all over MN to visit everyone and had a great relaxing time. But Now I am ready to get to work. And since I am now an official Alaskan I can if I want afford to hunt and fish. We will see.
So let's start the season today with eagle surveys. I will be flying the next two days looking for eagle nests in the Naknek drainage area. Then on Friday I will be leaving for my first trip to Brooks Camp. The maintenance people have been out there for a month. The interps left yesterday. I can't wait to get out there.
There is still time to win the beautiful new book Katmai that celebrates our 100 year history. I have yet to see my first bear. Choose the day you think that will happen and let me know your choice in the comment section and if you choose the day I see my first bear the book is yours. It could be today so get your entries in. I am off to search for eagles!
The 9 days with my family was wonderful. I traveled all over MN to visit everyone and had a great relaxing time. But Now I am ready to get to work. And since I am now an official Alaskan I can if I want afford to hunt and fish. We will see.
So let's start the season today with eagle surveys. I will be flying the next two days looking for eagle nests in the Naknek drainage area. Then on Friday I will be leaving for my first trip to Brooks Camp. The maintenance people have been out there for a month. The interps left yesterday. I can't wait to get out there.
There is still time to win the beautiful new book Katmai that celebrates our 100 year history. I have yet to see my first bear. Choose the day you think that will happen and let me know your choice in the comment section and if you choose the day I see my first bear the book is yours. It could be today so get your entries in. I am off to search for eagles!
Monday, April 23, 2012
Coming To You From Phoenix
After a 12 1/2 hour day of flights and airports I arrived in Phoenix. My first step out the door of the plane I was ready to go back to King Salmon. I am not much for heat and it was 102 when we got off the plane. I sure hope the canyon is cooler.
Flying over Alaska yesterday I got to see how much snow was still in the high country. Not many of the lakes or rivers in the upper elevations have thawed yet. I was hoping to see the volcanoes from the air but where they were suppose to be we were flying in clouds. so not much to report. The bay in Anchorage is wide open with a lot fewer icebergs than I saw in it two weeks ago. It won't be long before the cruise ships arrive. I hear Kodiak has all ready seen the first one. So it means the Summer season is all most upon us. Now I am off to the canyon.
Flying over Alaska yesterday I got to see how much snow was still in the high country. Not many of the lakes or rivers in the upper elevations have thawed yet. I was hoping to see the volcanoes from the air but where they were suppose to be we were flying in clouds. so not much to report. The bay in Anchorage is wide open with a lot fewer icebergs than I saw in it two weeks ago. It won't be long before the cruise ships arrive. I hear Kodiak has all ready seen the first one. So it means the Summer season is all most upon us. Now I am off to the canyon.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Changes in the River
Yesterday I went looking for whales. The belugas should be arriving soon. Naknek River is pretty open with icebergs floating off to Bristol Bay. Hundreds of birds line the shoreline waiting for the ice to open on area ponds and lakes. I saw tundra swans, white-fronted geese, common goldeneyes, pintails and widgeons. I saw mew gulls and eagles. But no whales.
King Salmon Creek was wide open on Tuesday but yesterday it had closed back up. Ice chunks froze together making the river look rough and cold. It was quite unusual. Ice flows were being pushed up the creek banks. Not the same as on Tuesday with the water flowing and the look of spring.
The to add to the thrill of Spring the neighborhood has a female moose and calf yet I have not seen it. I am not sure what the moose have against me but it is becoming very frustrating. Last night the neighborhood had a potluck dinner and everyone was asking me if I saw it. At east I was not the only one with out seeing it. But really!!!!!!
King Salmon Creek was wide open on Tuesday but yesterday it had closed back up. Ice chunks froze together making the river look rough and cold. It was quite unusual. Ice flows were being pushed up the creek banks. Not the same as on Tuesday with the water flowing and the look of spring.
The to add to the thrill of Spring the neighborhood has a female moose and calf yet I have not seen it. I am not sure what the moose have against me but it is becoming very frustrating. Last night the neighborhood had a potluck dinner and everyone was asking me if I saw it. At east I was not the only one with out seeing it. But really!!!!!!
Saturday, April 21, 2012
A Sad State of Affairs
I was in meetings all day yesterday. I so wanted to be out at Brooks Camp. I wanted to be anywhere but the meetings. Not only did the meetings keep me from going to Brooks but from seeing all the wildlife that is out and about. I missed a female moose and calf. I missed seeing a northern harrier. I missed trumpeter swans in the river. There is something wrong with this system when the wildlife biologist isn't seeing the wildlife.
Update from the people who made it out to Brooks. There was a young adult hanging out down by the river. No one could tell who it was. Otherwise the snow was melting around the buildings and the maintenance crew were working on getting everything up and functional for all the visitors. I have less than a month before my first stay out there.
Post your guess on when you think I will see my first bear in the comment section. Winner receives the new Katmai 100th anniversary book. It is beautiful and the pictures are breath taking. Remember though I will not be in Alaska from April 23 -May 14. For the next two weeks reports will be from the Grand Canyon. Wonder if I will have a chance to see wildlife there.
Update from the people who made it out to Brooks. There was a young adult hanging out down by the river. No one could tell who it was. Otherwise the snow was melting around the buildings and the maintenance crew were working on getting everything up and functional for all the visitors. I have less than a month before my first stay out there.
Post your guess on when you think I will see my first bear in the comment section. Winner receives the new Katmai 100th anniversary book. It is beautiful and the pictures are breath taking. Remember though I will not be in Alaska from April 23 -May 14. For the next two weeks reports will be from the Grand Canyon. Wonder if I will have a chance to see wildlife there.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Just Missed Them
Yesterday was totally frustrating. I have a lots of work that needs to be done before the end of today as I will be leaving for the grand canyon on Sunday. So I was buried in my office. I went to go make copies of some papers and I ran into the other biologist just walking in the door. I was trying to call you he said but I could not remember you extension. I just saw a female moose with a calf just down the street but they have gone off into the woods. I thought you would have liked to see them. Well Duh? But I just missed them.
An hour later the coastal biologist who takes time off to walk everyday called me to tell me she was on the Eskimo creek bridge and three otters were playing. So I quickly headed out the door and by the time I walked the half a block the otters were gone. I had just missed them.
Just before I left for the day I was asked if I wanted to join a group heading out to Brooks Camp today. Of course I want to go to Brooks Camp. I was so excited. Then my boss said you can't go to Brooks you have two meetings tomorrow neither of which you can miss. Just missed an awesome day. So instead of going to Brooks I am going to yawn my way through the meetings. What good is it living in Alaska if you have to spend all your time in the office. I did ask the members going to ID the bear that was sited two days ago. Maybe it is 284. That at least would make me happy.
Don't forget to guess the day I see my first bear of the season and win a copy of the brand new Katmai book.
An hour later the coastal biologist who takes time off to walk everyday called me to tell me she was on the Eskimo creek bridge and three otters were playing. So I quickly headed out the door and by the time I walked the half a block the otters were gone. I had just missed them.
Just before I left for the day I was asked if I wanted to join a group heading out to Brooks Camp today. Of course I want to go to Brooks Camp. I was so excited. Then my boss said you can't go to Brooks you have two meetings tomorrow neither of which you can miss. Just missed an awesome day. So instead of going to Brooks I am going to yawn my way through the meetings. What good is it living in Alaska if you have to spend all your time in the office. I did ask the members going to ID the bear that was sited two days ago. Maybe it is 284. That at least would make me happy.
Don't forget to guess the day I see my first bear of the season and win a copy of the brand new Katmai book.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
A Little After Dinner Bird Watching
The days have been in the 50's and the snow and ice are melting fast. So after dinner my neighbor and I headed down to Lake Camp to do a little birding. The diversity of birds was not so great but the numbers were awesome. We saw over a hundred tundra swans, about the same number of white-fronted geese, around 50 common goldeneyes. Not to mention, a few scaup, a pair of pintails and few common mergansers. While watching a bald eagle landed in a group of geese and scattered them. Then he sat on ice staring at us. I guess we were to blame for his lack of successful hunting.
After Lake Camp we headed to Rapids Camp. Sadly there were only three hunters and group of decoys. The ice formations on the sides of the river were amazing.
From there we went to the city dock. Where there were a few birds on the ice flows but not a lot. While we were watching we did see a fox come out of the woods and head out on the ice in hopes of catching dinner. He was bright red with a long bushy tail. Must be a pretty smart fox to avoid the trappers. He walked down the ice for about a quarter of a mile then went back into the woods. It was a wonderful time after being cooped up in the office all day.
The maintenance people are heading out to Brooks Camp to get everything ready for the season. When the first group arrived I got a call. They had to inform me that there was a bear by the lower platform. Of course they could not tell who it was. I am getting quite anxious to get there but I have two weeks of training at the Grand Canyon then I am off to MN for a week. I leave on Sunday. I fly out to Brooks on the 18th. I can't wait!!!!!!! (Oh and by the way I saw tracks of a moose on the road today)
After Lake Camp we headed to Rapids Camp. Sadly there were only three hunters and group of decoys. The ice formations on the sides of the river were amazing.
From there we went to the city dock. Where there were a few birds on the ice flows but not a lot. While we were watching we did see a fox come out of the woods and head out on the ice in hopes of catching dinner. He was bright red with a long bushy tail. Must be a pretty smart fox to avoid the trappers. He walked down the ice for about a quarter of a mile then went back into the woods. It was a wonderful time after being cooped up in the office all day.
The maintenance people are heading out to Brooks Camp to get everything ready for the season. When the first group arrived I got a call. They had to inform me that there was a bear by the lower platform. Of course they could not tell who it was. I am getting quite anxious to get there but I have two weeks of training at the Grand Canyon then I am off to MN for a week. I leave on Sunday. I fly out to Brooks on the 18th. I can't wait!!!!!!! (Oh and by the way I saw tracks of a moose on the road today)
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Fight Over Territory
I had a beautiful walk to work yesterday. The sun was rising over the horizon turning the sky a variety of pinks and blues. The air was fresh and cool. The sounds of shrieks and trills resounding in the air. Two male bald eagles were chasing and attacking each other. One would land on the top of a tree only to be dive bombed by the other. They flew in circles calling to each other in their not so threatening voices. For those of you who have never heard a eagle cry out it is not that great of sound. That is why in movies the eagle cry is replaced by the sound of red-tailed hawk. Now that is a call.
Before long the talons came out and they were trying to grab at each other as they spiraled down. Then finally a victor was chosen and the one of the eagles left. The winner perched on his tree and looked down at me as to say I am the king of the world. What a breakfast show.
No signs of bears yet but don't forget to enter the contest. Guess what day it will be when I see my first bear and win a beautiful new book about Katmai.
Before long the talons came out and they were trying to grab at each other as they spiraled down. Then finally a victor was chosen and the one of the eagles left. The winner perched on his tree and looked down at me as to say I am the king of the world. What a breakfast show.
No signs of bears yet but don't forget to enter the contest. Guess what day it will be when I see my first bear and win a beautiful new book about Katmai.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Let the Adventures Begin
I am back from Anchorage and I can tell you that I had little time to explore. Anchorage received 139 inches of snow this year. I was expecting to see mountains of it every where but they had a week of 50 degrees before I got there and it was in the 50's while I was there. What I did like about Anchorage this visit was exploring 4th street. I wish I had more time to explore all the shops along that road. Unfortunately the Wildlife Society took up a lot of my time. That and my food buying trips. I did learn that if you want to mail food to King Salmon the best post office to mail things from is the one by the airport. They are helpful and quick. Not so the post office on third street. I would also like to give a heads up to the Ramada downtown as they were excellent and a inexpensive place to stay.
I am home for a week before I head to the Grand Canyon for 12 days of training and then a week in Minnesota to see the family. It must have been warm here too as I can now see patches of grass in my yard and there are large puddles of water everywhere. The ice on the Naknek river is now open to our dock area and with the leaving of the ice the birds have arrived. I say it is time for the adventures to begin. I plan on doing birding every day until I go as I will miss a lot of the migrants traveling through. I will keep you up to date this week though.
Work will be busy as while I was gone the yearly budgets were set. Now we can really plan our season. So by the end of the week I will know how many times I will be going to Brooks Camp and if I get to go to the coast or Aniakchak. I am hoping for both. You should be hearing from me on a more regular schedule now.
The bears should be waking up from their long winters nap. So I thought I would offer up a little contest. Guess what the date will be of when I will see my first bear and you will win a copy of the new book on Katmai that comes out in June to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the eruption of Novarupta. Good Luck.
I am home for a week before I head to the Grand Canyon for 12 days of training and then a week in Minnesota to see the family. It must have been warm here too as I can now see patches of grass in my yard and there are large puddles of water everywhere. The ice on the Naknek river is now open to our dock area and with the leaving of the ice the birds have arrived. I say it is time for the adventures to begin. I plan on doing birding every day until I go as I will miss a lot of the migrants traveling through. I will keep you up to date this week though.
Work will be busy as while I was gone the yearly budgets were set. Now we can really plan our season. So by the end of the week I will know how many times I will be going to Brooks Camp and if I get to go to the coast or Aniakchak. I am hoping for both. You should be hearing from me on a more regular schedule now.
The bears should be waking up from their long winters nap. So I thought I would offer up a little contest. Guess what the date will be of when I will see my first bear and you will win a copy of the new book on Katmai that comes out in June to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the eruption of Novarupta. Good Luck.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Off to Anchorage
Well we are nine days in to April and still no change. I work everyday at my computer. I am planning the new summer schedule but we still have plenty of snow and the ice is still on the river. I love hiking in the woods but I never see a creature. I know I have a family of hares living under my back porch but I only know that because I see their tracks going out and back under it. I did however see a bald eagle fly by my living room windows at window level on Friday night. That is the coolest thing that has happened here in a week. I could not even get an owl survey in because of course the weather would not cooperate.
Today I leave for four days in Anchorage? I am attending the state wildlife society meeting. Four days of talks and trainings and shopping. I have a car rented so I might do a little exploring. Hopefully I will see something cool but I am not holding my breath. It seems the lure of the moose is leaving me. I have decided to wait and see what is in store. But I really need to get back to field work.
Today I leave for four days in Anchorage? I am attending the state wildlife society meeting. Four days of talks and trainings and shopping. I have a car rented so I might do a little exploring. Hopefully I will see something cool but I am not holding my breath. It seems the lure of the moose is leaving me. I have decided to wait and see what is in store. But I really need to get back to field work.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)