Countdown 365 ~ T-51

Total Miles: 55.2 Miles ~ Wildlife: 4 Moose ~ American Bald Eagles

It has been a few days since my last Photo Trek, primarily due to the weather conditions of wind and rain. With partly cloudy sky and having errands to run in Homer, I took a couple of extra hours to play with the Eagles. While doing so, I came up with a new concept that may produce some interesting shots. When the Eagles return to the Anchor River Valley for the salmon runs, the conditions may exist to apply the concept. It was a beautiful day on the Homer Spit. The conditions were just right to get a variation in the color of the waters of Kachemak Bay. Although, we still have forty to fifty days that winter could occur, the signs of spring is slowly starting to evolve.

To: Bob and Robbin This is just a touch of the scenery that you can expect this summer. Kachemak Bay with the Homer Spit extending into Kachemak Bay.

"Sitting Out The Wind"

"Cruising The Beach"

"Attack Mode"

"Staking Out His Camping Spot" Space #45

The next series of shots was at a small pond created by melting snow. When I arrived, it was being used by two Eagles and a dozen Black Birds. All of them were bathing and playing in the water. Perhaps, grooming themselves for the start of the mating season that is just a few weeks away.

"Sharing A Bath"

"Time to Reflect"

"White Is So Hard To Keep Clean"

"Washing The Wing Pits"

Countdown 365 ~ T- 45

Total Miles: 56.6 Miles ~ Wildlife: 9 Moose

With the feeling of spring in the air today, I decided to take an afternoon photo trip. I drove my normal upper Anchor River route with an extension to the Homer Spit. I did not have far to travel to find my first moose, I was not out of my driveway. In total, in mid afternoon I counted a total of nine moose, three of which were in my neighborhood. Just happen to to catch a glimpse of the moose in the picture below. This was on the upper Anchor River. Considering all of the moose I have seen this winter, this is the smallest calf that I have witnessed. This calf was about half the size of the other calves that I have seen. I watched it for quite sometime without seeing the mother. I am only assuming, but I think it has lost it's mother and having to fend for itself. If it is a lone calf, it is relying on it's natural instinct by picking out the thickest alder patch it could find to provide food and protection. I wish it well during the remaining winter.

"Alder Sanctuary"

"Afternoon Nap On The Lower Anchor River"

Leaving the upper Anchor River, I drove into Homer to find that the afternoon temperature was 43 degrees under cloudy conditions. Typical of the Homer Spit, the wind was gusting to 30 - 35 knots and again out of the east. The majority of the eagles were once again sitting out the wind and saving their energy. This trip, I did see several Sea Otter off shore but not wanting to come in close enough to provide a good shot.

"Eagle In The Glide Pattern"

"Wheels Down And Locked"

"Touchdown"

"Perfect Water Landing"

Countdown 365 T-42

UPDATE

On Wednesday, February 10th my wife and I took a non-sanctioned photo trip to Soldotna, Alaska. On our return trip, entering Ninilchik, Alaska I recalled my numerous attempts over the past couple of weeks to photograph "Holly the Bull Moose", finally capturing a poor quality picture of him on January 29, 2010. Since his location was just two miles off the main highway, we thought that we would take a look and see if he was still cavorting with the horses. Arriving at the location of the horse corrals where I last saw him, he was no where to be seen. However, a Cow Moose and her calf had taken up residence with the horses, sharing the same corral. I was treated to observing protective instincts of a mother. Although the calf was a third the size of it's mother, it was big enough to tend to itself. Stepping out of my truck, I walked toward the calf to get a picture, allowing myself plenty of room to escape and not to spook the calf. Immediately upon my approach, the Cow Moose locked onto me with her eyes and followed my footsteps. As I approached the calf a little closer, she walked towards me. She had yet to lay back her ears, just wanted to make sure I was not going to intrude to far. Each step I would take, she would take two. At a point, she kept coming and got between me and her calf. I figured that it was time to take the picture and back off. She stayed her ground until I had backed up several steps. She then turned her attention to her new found friends, the horses.

February 11, 2010 Total Miles: 22.4 ~ Wildlife: 16 Moose

Playing poker at the weekly tournament on Wednesday evening, I picked up a tip of the sighting of two different Bull Moose, both larger bulls with their horns still intact. With our recent additional snowfall, I though perhaps some bulls had moved into the area, although I was skeptical that they would still be carrying the load of their antlers. Despite being a skeptic, I once again made my daylight trip on my normal route to the upper part of the Anchor river as the reported bulls were sighted in this area. Although, I did not see anything that resembled a Bull Moose, I did see a total of 16 moose on the twenty-two mile trip. Having received several inches of fresh snow, the moose are now finding it a little more difficult to get get around, although it does not seem to bother them. This particular cow was starting to form a little "bag" so I am guessing that come spring, she will be a mommy.

Belly Deep In Snow

A beautiful spring day, my "spotters" and I took a few extra minutes on our way home to once again go to the beach.

"Dutch"

Countdown 365 T-36

TOTAL MILES: 52.7 MILES ~ WILDLIFE: 26 MOOSE

Checking the morning weather forecast and looking at the Doppler Radar, a storm front was moving in from the east with moderate winds and light snowfall. Disregarding the weather, I left at daylight to cover my normal route consisting of the south end of the North Fork Loop Road between Anchor Point and Homer. In this ten miles section of the Anchor River Valley, I would count a total of twenty-six moose. Again, cows and calves. I have now come to the conclusion that the big Bull Moose have shed their antlers due to the weight. The smaller bulls will retain their antlers a little longer.

Although, the wind was increasing and the snow picking up intensity, I decided to drive to the Homer Spit to observe the American Bald Eagles. Arriving on the Homer Spit, the weather that I had experienced in the Anchor River Valley was mild. The wind was hitting the Homer Spit on the leeward side (east) at 35 - 45 knots and snowing. It was not pretty on the Homer Spit. I did find the Eagles. The majority of them were sitting on the rocks at the entrance to the Homer Harbor below the rim in order to get out of the wind. They were grounded for the day. Taking this as a clue, I decided to head to the sanctuary of home.

At the base of the Homer Spit there is a large parking lot on the windward (west) side of the spit, today it was vacant except for two Eagles sparring over something on the ground. Deciding to investigate, I pulled into the lot and park about twenty feet from the two Eagles. The point of contention between the two of them was what appeared to be a large ham bone. Although, with the wind and falling snow it was not ideal picture taking weather. While I was preparing my camera, the disagreement concluded and one of the Eagles flew away to join three other Eagles further down the beach.

After getting a couple of pictures of the Eagle feeding on the bone, a second Eagle appeared on the scene at a higher elevation to get a good aerial view of the situation.

Gliding in, he made a "flyover" of the target area,

I just happened to be in his "glide path" and at eye level with him.

Coming out of his "glide" he picked up speed and passed over me with about two feet of clearance between the two of us,

He increased his altitude to about thirty feet at full power into the wind, and then banked hard to starboard to make his bombing run. Unfortunately, it happened so fast I only captured a portion of the "impact" as he dive bombed the grounded Eagle. He struck the Eagle on the ground, squarely in the middle of the back, sending the two of them rolling on the ground.

Recovering from the aerial assault, they commenced the "dominance fight" on the ground over the bone. This skirmish lasted several minutes, until the "new arrival" was declared the victor and the other flew away to join the other Eagles further down the beach.

After feeding on the meat laden bone, the victor decided that he would locate a more secure location than the "open beach" to enjoy his newly acquired meal. Protected by the rock wall in front of him and bushes protecting him from an aerial attack, he settled in to enjoy his lunch. In due time, a second Eagle showed up on the scene, not wanting to get in a skirmish with the victor, he was content on sitting on a sign post and talking trash. It was a great display, although it would have been ideal not to have the snow inferring with the shots, it does show that regardless of the specie, life is not always easy or fair, you just make the best out it and deal with just those things that you have some control.

Countdown 365 T-32

The first thirty-one days of the new year are now in the past. Although, I have yet to capture a photograph of a large Bull Moose, I would classify my first month as being very successful. By months end, I traveled a total 0f 702.4 miles. I not only saw some beautiful country, but witnessed several beautiful sunrises and sunsets. In my travels, I saw a total of 161 Moose and three Dall Sheep, two Rams with a single Ewe. I also had a great time shooting photos of the American Bald Eagle, a specie that I have grown to admire. They justly deserve to be the symbol of our freedom in America.

~ February 1, 2010 ~ Total Miles: 55.5 Miles ~ 16 Moose

Left my home this morning at 8:55 a.m., just as it was getting daylight. Today, I would once again drive my regular route, the south end of the North Fork Loop Road. Under partly cloudy sky, the temperature was a balmy 26 degrees. Taking a hour and nine minutes to drive the 12 mile (one way) I counted a total of sixteen moose. All of them being cows and calves. They continue to hold in this feeding area until we get additional snow fall.

"Hoar Frost"

Having a couple of errands, I pulled off the Moose Hunt, and headed into the community of Homer, Alaska. Arriving in Homer and completing my "assigned tasks", it was such a beautiful day that I decided to drive out to the Homer Spit and snap a few photos of the American Bald Eagle. Driving out on the break wall of the Homer Harbor, the scenery across Kachemak Bay was spectacular as usual, with the Eagles lined up at the entrance to the harbor.

After taking a few photographs, I noticed an unusual amount of sea gulls and a few Eagles flying overhead in the direction of the tip of the Homer Spit. When I arrived at their destination, it was nothing less than spectacular. I got lucky again! It is now illegal to feed the Eagles, but mother nature has a way of taking care of her own.

Right off the tip of the Homer Spit, that must have been a thousand sea gulls and a variety of diving ducks feeding on a specie of small fish. In their hurried, feeding frenzy, and trying to evade loosing their catch to their counterparts; they would occasionally drop their catch on the beach, to be jumped on by an Eagle. I was to busy trying to get photos to count Eagles, but the picture below is an indicator of the number gathered. There were Eagles in every direction that I looked. My biggest problem, was what shot should I take!

"Eagle Convention"

I shot a lot of "film" today, it would be difficult to chose which shot to be posted. Instead, this evening I hurriedly put together a short video from some of the still shots of today. All of the shots in the video were taken today with the exception of three of my favorites that I use repeatedly. Sit back, turn up the volume on your speakers, and enjoy a few minutes with the Eagles, just as I did today.

"GOD BLESS AMERICA"