Alaska Outdoors

Sherry Simpson and a BMW she loved to drive in New Mexico, where she moved after leaving Alaska. (Courtesy Photo / Scott Kiefer)

Alaska Science Forum: Remembering a gift of observation

Consider this, a closing tribute to a modest superstar.

Sherry Simpson and a BMW she loved to drive in New Mexico, where she moved after leaving Alaska. (Courtesy Photo / Scott Kiefer)
Yearling brown bear cubs near the Russian River Ferry. (Photo by Matt Conner/Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

Judge delivers victory for opponents of brown bear trapping in refuge

U.S. District Judge Sharon L. Gleason ruled against proposed changes to the refuge’s public use regulations

Yearling brown bear cubs near the Russian River Ferry. (Photo by Matt Conner/Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)
Chris Miller photographing the troll fishery in Southeast Alaska. (Courtesy Photo / Chris Miller)

Pride of Bristol Bay: True stories from a fishing photographer

The lens doesn’t like. Fishermen on the otherhand…

Chris Miller photographing the troll fishery in Southeast Alaska. (Courtesy Photo / Chris Miller)
The author’s consolation prize for a buck-less November so far has been a single shed. (Jeff Lund / For Juneau Empire)

I Went To The Woods: Sometimes you have to move on to Plan J

I’ve been on Plan C and D before. But last weekend seemed much further down the alphabet…

The author’s consolation prize for a buck-less November so far has been a single shed. (Jeff Lund / For Juneau Empire)
A great blue heron is about to swallow an adult Dolly Varden. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)

On the Trails: A look at 3 different shoreline fishers

By Mary F. Willson I watched a great blue heron glide down to the shore of a pond and slowly walk along the shore in… Continue reading

A great blue heron is about to swallow an adult Dolly Varden. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)
Steffi O’Daly looks at sea water samples from Bering Strait aboard the UAF research ship Sikuliaq. (Courtesy Photo / Andrew McDonnell)

Alaska Science Forum: Some good news from the thin ice

A group of researchers have found a sliver of good news in the disappearing sea ice.

Steffi O’Daly looks at sea water samples from Bering Strait aboard the UAF research ship Sikuliaq. (Courtesy Photo / Andrew McDonnell)
s the bird sitting, is the background busy? A bird in flight, landing, feeding or two eagles fighting one another spins an interesting tale and can be a compelling story.  This photo was shot at DIPAC in July 2020 with a Canon 5D Mark III, Tamron 70-200, 1/1600 sec at f2.8, ISO 100. (Courtesy Photo / Heather Holt)

Focal Point: What is the story? A photographer’s journey

“I tossed the checklist and began focusing on finding the unexpected in my photos.”

s the bird sitting, is the background busy? A bird in flight, landing, feeding or two eagles fighting one another spins an interesting tale and can be a compelling story.  This photo was shot at DIPAC in July 2020 with a Canon 5D Mark III, Tamron 70-200, 1/1600 sec at f2.8, ISO 100. (Courtesy Photo / Heather Holt)
Ravens, crows and jays have the anatomical equipment for singing but they don’t use song to defend territories or attract males, as other songbirds do. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

On the Trails: Why don’t some songbirds sing?

These songbirds have no dawn choruses.

Ravens, crows and jays have the anatomical equipment for singing but they don’t use song to defend territories or attract males, as other songbirds do. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Glaciologist Will Harrison stands on Black Rapids Glacier. (Courtesy Photo / Martin Truffer)

Alaska Science Forum: Goodbye to a raffish glacier scientist

He knew the world’s bumpy plains of ice as well as his old neighborhood.

Glaciologist Will Harrison stands on Black Rapids Glacier. (Courtesy Photo / Martin Truffer)
Science

Sustainable Alaska: Supporting the next generation of scientists is part of a sustainable Alaska

“As the workforce in Alaska grays, we need new energy and perspectives to keep our state vibrant. “

Science
The author was in the right place, but at the wrong time. This typifies his rut hunting program. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

I Went To The Woods: Growing as a hunter

Romanticizing the storm.

The author was in the right place, but at the wrong time. This typifies his rut hunting program. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)
In our area, beach pea and lupines, such as the ones shown in this photo, have Rhizobia nodules. These nodules are induced by the bacteria in response to chemical triggers from the plant. These bacteria can only fix nitrogen when with a suitable host. (Pixabay / Markéta Machová)

On the Trails: Digging into the underground ecosystem

It’s an ecosystem that’s not as well-studied as some others but surely has many interesting stories.

In our area, beach pea and lupines, such as the ones shown in this photo, have Rhizobia nodules. These nodules are induced by the bacteria in response to chemical triggers from the plant. These bacteria can only fix nitrogen when with a suitable host. (Pixabay / Markéta Machová)
A view of the auroras from our most recent geomagnetic storm, shot from North Douglas on Friday, Oct. 23. (Courtesy Photo / Eric Bleicher)

Wild Shots: Photos of Mother Nature in Alaska

Reader-submitted photos of Southeast Alaska.

A view of the auroras from our most recent geomagnetic storm, shot from North Douglas on Friday, Oct. 23. (Courtesy Photo / Eric Bleicher)
A male Steller sea lion amid others on the coast of Alaska in Southeast. (Courtesy Photo / Michell Trifari)

Alaska Science Forum: Steller sea lions and mercury

Tiny bits of fish and squid may contain big answers.

A male Steller sea lion amid others on the coast of Alaska in Southeast. (Courtesy Photo / Michell Trifari)
The Iliamna Lake monster, depicted in this illustration by Alex Wit, is often described as shark-like in appearance. (Courtesy Image / Alex Wit)

Pride of Bristol Bay: Catching the Iliamna Lake Monster

““I was skeptical. I’m not skeptical anymore.”

The Iliamna Lake monster, depicted in this illustration by Alex Wit, is often described as shark-like in appearance. (Courtesy Image / Alex Wit)
This photo shows Amalga Harbor on Oct. 18. (Courtesy Photo / Judith MacBrine)

Wild Shots: Photos of Mother Nature in Alaska

Reader-submitted photos of Southeast Alaska in autumn 2020.

This photo shows Amalga Harbor on Oct. 18. (Courtesy Photo / Judith MacBrine)
An ermine emerges to look around while exploring the crevices among the roadside rocks. While its white winter coat is conspicuous now, it will help it blend in with its surroundings during winter. (Courtesy Photo /David Bergeson)

A white weasel wanders on a wintry walk

Darting in and out of the rocks was a small, white critter that quickly disappeared.

An ermine emerges to look around while exploring the crevices among the roadside rocks. While its white winter coat is conspicuous now, it will help it blend in with its surroundings during winter. (Courtesy Photo /David Bergeson)
Members of the Juneau Ski Club take ski during a Sunday recreation day. (Courtesy photo / Frankie Pillifant)

Nordic Ski Club and teams prepare to ski into season

It’s easy to distance skiing on the trails.

Members of the Juneau Ski Club take ski during a Sunday recreation day. (Courtesy photo / Frankie Pillifant)
Decoy geese can’t fly away…except perhaps during an October storm. (Jeff Lund / Juneau Empire)

Earning the ‘local’ title

If October was a fish, it would be a lingcod. Ugly. Nasty. Angry.

Decoy geese can’t fly away…except perhaps during an October storm. (Jeff Lund / Juneau Empire)
This photos shows colorful bleeding tooth-fungus, sometimes called strawberries and cream (Courtesy Photo / Jos Bakker)

Fun with 3 fungal curiosities

Mystery, bleeding teeth and bird’s nest fungus.

This photos shows colorful bleeding tooth-fungus, sometimes called strawberries and cream (Courtesy Photo / Jos Bakker)