Alaska Outdoors

"I hope that we will move toward greater disaster preparedness and mitigation," writes Sonia Nagorski. "That way, the next time a remote Aleutian volcano erupts or a landslide drops into a fjord, our community and others around the world will not be caught off guard and can jump into action to respond effectively and cooperatively to persevere on this beautiful and mighty planet that is our home." (Courtesy Photo / Unsplash)

Sustainable Alaska: Building resilience on a restless Earth

To avoid compounding natural disasters, we need to aggressively tackle climate change.

"I hope that we will move toward greater disaster preparedness and mitigation," writes Sonia Nagorski. "That way, the next time a remote Aleutian volcano erupts or a landslide drops into a fjord, our community and others around the world will not be caught off guard and can jump into action to respond effectively and cooperatively to persevere on this beautiful and mighty planet that is our home." (Courtesy Photo / Unsplash)
Springtails are non-insect arthropod. Most springtails can hop about using a forked appendage on the abdomen. They are among several arthropods that are active in the snow. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)

On The Trails: Wandering woodpeckers and active arthropods

By Mary F. Willson For the Juneau Empire A female hairy woodpecker visits my suet feeder regularly, and I’d bet any money that she is… Continue reading

Springtails are non-insect arthropod. Most springtails can hop about using a forked appendage on the abdomen. They are among several arthropods that are active in the snow. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)
In low light, it is important to get close. On another overcast day in Juneau, I sighted a young black bear cub up a tree taking a nap while mom grazed. I was able to pull over, turn off my car, get out and take a show with my Canon 5D Mark III, Canon 70-200, 1/250, F2.8 and ISO 800. (Courtesy Photo / Heather Holt)

Focal Point: How to nail low-light photos

In Southeast Alaska, you have to learn to shoot when the skies are gray.

In low light, it is important to get close. On another overcast day in Juneau, I sighted a young black bear cub up a tree taking a nap while mom grazed. I was able to pull over, turn off my car, get out and take a show with my Canon 5D Mark III, Canon 70-200, 1/250, F2.8 and ISO 800. (Courtesy Photo / Heather Holt)
A winter caddisfly, sometimes called a snow sedge, walks down an icy ridge on the shore of Mendenhall Lake. (Courtesy Photo / Kerry Howard)

On The Trails: Early winter walks

By Mary F. Willson A visit to the lower reaches of the Herbert and Eagle rivers usually turns up something of interest. A recent warm… Continue reading

A winter caddisfly, sometimes called a snow sedge, walks down an icy ridge on the shore of Mendenhall Lake. (Courtesy Photo / Kerry Howard)
Eaglecrest Ski Area, seen above, is delaying its opening until colder weather and snowfall replenish areas affected by warm temperatures and heavy rainfall. (Courtesy photo / Chris Miller)

Eaglecrest opens for the season

The ski area will be open almost every day through Jan. 10

Eaglecrest Ski Area, seen above, is delaying its opening until colder weather and snowfall replenish areas affected by warm temperatures and heavy rainfall. (Courtesy photo / Chris Miller)
A multiple-exposure photo of the winter-solstice sun arcing over the Alaska Range, taken from the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus on Dec. 21, 2012. (Courtesy Photo / Todd Paris)

Alaska Science Forum: Time stands still on winter solstice

Alaska Science Forum: Time stands still on winter solstice

A multiple-exposure photo of the winter-solstice sun arcing over the Alaska Range, taken from the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus on Dec. 21, 2012. (Courtesy Photo / Todd Paris)
Mark Emery wrestles with an alligator in Florida. (Courtesy Photo / Mark Emery)

Pride of Bristol Bay: How a gator-wrestling former kickboxer became a wildlife cinematographer

“He may be the most interesting man in the world.”

Mark Emery wrestles with an alligator in Florida. (Courtesy Photo / Mark Emery)
The author drew a coveted elk hunt on Etolin Island a few years ago. In five days, he and his two buddies saw zero elk, but it still ranks as one of his favorite all-time hunts. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

I Went to the Woods: My ticket to paradise

Sheep. Goat. Caribou. Bison. Not necessarily in that order.

The author drew a coveted elk hunt on Etolin Island a few years ago. In five days, he and his two buddies saw zero elk, but it still ranks as one of his favorite all-time hunts. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)
Ice plates pile up on the shore of Mendenhall Lake on Dec. 4. (Courtesy Photo / Kerry Howard)

On the Trails: Ice and quiet

It’s not an exercise for everyone, of course. You have to be ready for it.

Ice plates pile up on the shore of Mendenhall Lake on Dec. 4. (Courtesy Photo / Kerry Howard)
Humpback Whale blows over by Outer Point, Douglas Island.

Wild Shots: Photos of Mother Nature in Alaska

Reader-submitted photos of Southeast Alaska.

Humpback Whale blows over by Outer Point, Douglas Island.
Eaglecrest Ski Area, seen above, is delaying its opening until colder weather and snowfall replenish areas affected by warm temperatures and heavy rainfall. (Courtesy photo / Chris Miller)

Eaglecrest holds off on opening as poor conditions persist

Cold weather and snow guns will help to ready the slopes for shredding.

Eaglecrest Ski Area, seen above, is delaying its opening until colder weather and snowfall replenish areas affected by warm temperatures and heavy rainfall. (Courtesy photo / Chris Miller)
This photo shows Craig George north of Utqiaġvik (then-Barrow) on May 28, 2010. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Weird Arctic report tells the same story

It is not your mother’s Arctic anymore, and don’t expect the changes to stop.

This photo shows Craig George north of Utqiaġvik (then-Barrow) on May 28, 2010. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)
Courtesy Photo / Jason Hollinger, Flickr A familiar lichen genus is Cladonia, some of which are known as “pixie cups.” These make stalked cups that contain little asexual granules made up of bits of fungus and algae that are enough to start a new lichen individual. These tiny granules can be splashed up to a meter away by a raindrop, but they may also travel by wind.
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On The Trails: When it rains, it spores

Rraindrops have been put to work to disperse spores, seeds and more.

Courtesy Photo / Jason Hollinger, Flickr A familiar lichen genus is Cladonia, some of which are known as “pixie cups.” These make stalked cups that contain little asexual granules made up of bits of fungus and algae that are enough to start a new lichen individual. These tiny granules can be splashed up to a meter away by a raindrop, but they may also travel by wind.
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Sustainable Alaska: Atmospheric rivers and the community

You are probably intimately familiar with atmospheric rivers.

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“Historically bad” conditions have postponed the season opening of Eaglecrest Ski Area, said a spokesperson for the facility. (Courtesy photo / Charlie Herrington)

Eaglecrest opening on hold till weather chills out

Historically bad weather has postponed the opening until the temperature drops.

“Historically bad” conditions have postponed the season opening of Eaglecrest Ski Area, said a spokesperson for the facility. (Courtesy photo / Charlie Herrington)
The author never saw the buck he captured on his game camera. In fact, he didn’t see many bucks at all after the first weekend of November. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

I Went To The Woods: Is ‘my way’ overrated

It seems that plans unravel more than they unfold.

The author never saw the buck he captured on his game camera. In fact, he didn’t see many bucks at all after the first weekend of November. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)
This glaucous-winged gull is trying to cope with a sea star that seems too big, but you never know. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)

On the Trails: For every armored defense, there is a countermeasure

There is no perfect defense.

This glaucous-winged gull is trying to cope with a sea star that seems too big, but you never know. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)
Akasofu at his office in the building on the UAF campus named after him. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Syun-Ichi Akasofu’s Alaska journey

It started 60 years ago .

Akasofu at his office in the building on the UAF campus named after him. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)
To capture the unexpected action- the unrepeatable moment- it should be instinctive. In order to build the story you have to shoot the adjective. In this photo the bald eagle had waited patiently for the right moment to pounce on an unsuspecting vole… the unexpected. The best way to accomplish this is to master the art of the most difficult subject to photograph– birds in flight. In order to do this you must learn your gear; it must become part of your muscle memory so you can concentrate on the story you are witnessing. Canon 5D Mark III, Tamron 150-600mm, shot at 600mm, ISO AUTO (1250), F6.3, 1/3200, Handheld. (Courtesy Photo / Heather Holt)

Focal Point: Great photos are just waiting in the wings

Learn to shoot the verb (and the bird).

To capture the unexpected action- the unrepeatable moment- it should be instinctive. In order to build the story you have to shoot the adjective. In this photo the bald eagle had waited patiently for the right moment to pounce on an unsuspecting vole… the unexpected. The best way to accomplish this is to master the art of the most difficult subject to photograph– birds in flight. In order to do this you must learn your gear; it must become part of your muscle memory so you can concentrate on the story you are witnessing. Canon 5D Mark III, Tamron 150-600mm, shot at 600mm, ISO AUTO (1250), F6.3, 1/3200, Handheld. (Courtesy Photo / Heather Holt)
Clark’s nutcracker reportedly can carry a hundred or more pine seeds in their gular pouches, to be cached for future lunches. (Courtesy Photo / Claudie McMichael, Pixy)

On the Trails: There are many ways to carry a lunch

By Mary F. Willson For the Juneau Empire A human day-hiker usually carries a lunch in a backpack and may require a canine companion to… Continue reading

Clark’s nutcracker reportedly can carry a hundred or more pine seeds in their gular pouches, to be cached for future lunches. (Courtesy Photo / Claudie McMichael, Pixy)