Come join us as we launch our boat out of Klawock on Prince of Wales island, and explore some local waters in search of wildlife...and dinner!
Typical SE Alaskan weather: cloudy with a chance of rain! A walk through the forest, alongside the Klawock River Estuary, was very relaxing. The only non-human sounds we heard was the waterfall, Bald Eagles, Mallards, Pine Siskins, Chestnut-backed Chickadees and gulls. There were also many Common Mergansers on the water as well as a Great Blue Heron.
Great Blue Herons are amazing in their ability to stand stock still for what seems like forever. They blend in and wait patiently for their meals to come to them and then they strike with amazing speed and agility. Observing them over the years has reminded me of the importance of patience and concentration. When introducing ourselves into a new environment the atmosphere is changed. In the forest, the wildlife goes still in response to our presence. By stopping and waiting, the animals slowly accept our presence and resume their activity which, in turn, allows us to watch and listen to their goings-on. Being able to still our bodies also allows us to still our minds. In nature time seems to move at a different speed; we are allowed time to reflect and consider, to examine and gain new perspective. Enjoy finding the time to still your body and mind and allowing yourself to relax. Turn off the news, focus on something positive and focus on what really matters in your life. :)
Join us as we explore the local Herring spawning grounds. Fisherman come from all over SE Alaska and the Seattle area to join the harvest, and the locals go out and collect fish eggs. Here, fish eggs mean spring has arrived! Bird and marine mammal activity explodes, too, as they follow the herring in. Let's see what we can find!
*Please note, I misspoke in the video regarding the material used to collect fish eggs. Locally, Hemlock branches and kelp (the most popular method) are used.
Join us as we walk the 4 - mile trail around Balls Lake. A Trumpeter Swan and a Red Crossbill were a few of the highlights!
No matter where you are you can learn by birding. Watch out your window, take a walk or sit under a tree. Learn to stop and enjoy your surroundings. You may just find that you not only learn more about the birds around you, but that you learn more about yourself, too!
Interested in submitting your bird lists, exploring local hotspots, learning about birding events, or reviewing which birds show up where? Click below to visit eBird.org, an incredible, world-wide citizen science undertaking ran by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.