Back to the lower 48

I'm back here in Michigan. I'll keep posting as I shoot assignments locally. Thanks to all those that have been following my blog.Near the entrance of the park.
I was greeted with a moose and a calf as I was leaving Denali National Park. I had seen this moose earlier by herself. Even photographed her before (see earlier post). I heard she had two calves and that one had been taken by a predator. Somehow the remaining calf and her were reunited. Park officials say this moose most likely was one that had calves in the campground last year and was extremely violent. She was protecting her young with a vengeance. She was known to attack RVs and visitors with no provocation.

Moose actually harm more people than grizzly bears. Visitors to the park have been known to walk right up to a moose to stand next to it in order to have someone take a photo of them together. Once we saw a women get out of her RV to take photos with her pajamas on... Moose, especially those with young do not take kindly to this act of stupidity.

Park Rangers

I am about to leave the park and head to Talkeetna for the night. Then Thursday, I return the RV in Anchorage and hop on a plane home.

It’s been an amazing experience.

The best part of my time here has been making friends with park rangers. There are common threads that bind rangers together. Their awareness and appreciation for the wilderness is a given. But with that comes a spirit of loving the living. That includes human beings. I have never come across a group so kind and accepting of me as I have these past 12 days. They have taught me so much about what really matters in life.
Jay. Kindred spirits from the moment we met.
World traveller, Frannie (second from left) after winning a beer by throwing a quarter into the mouth of a wolf at The Spike.
Philosopher Allison at her station at Savage Creek.
Jen taught us how to play Mexican dominoes. She makes great cole slaw too.

I should have photographed Brandy...

Owl and Rainbow

Last night I was throwing away some trash and I saw one of those plastic owls that people put up next to their boats so birds don't come around and poop on their vessels. Then it moved. "Oh my God," I thought to myself. I crept back to my RV for my 600mm lens. It was perched on the volleyball net. This was taken at 11 p.m.
I have seen at least one rainbow every day I have been here.

Another Contest

I don't know what kind of bird this is so if you can tell me, you get a free print. And no. Barb is not disqualified...

Your comments

I really appreciate everyone looking and commenting. I will respond to comments when I have the time (which may be when I get back...).

Mommy Moose and Eagle

I stayed up all night last night because I wanted to catch the early morning light which is at about 4 a.m. I was disappointed that it was raining so I missed the light but got the bald eagle below.

In a few minutes I will go to dinner with Jay. He is taking me to a local place in Healy. I love Alaskan people! I am fascinated with their strength and endurance. This is certainly like a different country.Look buddy. Don't mess with me. I have two calves in here so you better watch it...
A moose calf.
Bald eagle from this morning at 5 a.m. Jay tells me it is rare to see a blad eagle in this portion of Denali.

2 Denali backpackers missing

I sure hope they find these backpackers. It's national news. Kris Fister, the woman who I wrote about is quoted in this story.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/141838

Reflections

As I wind down from another day in Alaska, I cannot help but think about a few issues...

1, We are small in comparison to the world and to the environment. Animals and people must co-habitate in a natural and non inhibiting way.

2, Life is not work. Life is not family. Life is not play. Life is everything you encounter! Every moment. Don't waste a single second!

3, I need more comments. Where is the Miller family?

My day off

Today I pretty much edited, toned, and captioned images. I also drove into a nearby town to get some provisions. I stole away for a few hours to head into the back country (the first 15 miles of course... I didn't get much but here it is...Finally got a moose worthwhile. This one is a cow. It's female. Thus, no rack. I hope to get a bull before I leave Alaska...
The light here in the evening is glorious. This was taken around 10 p.m. Notice the sun is still shining strong?

Barbara Wood

Barb has not only guessed the correct bunny but she has single handely made the most comments. Barb gets two prints. Yeah Barb!

The Mountain

There really is a mountain here! One out of three visitors to the park actually get to see the great Mt. McKinley. It is so massive that it has it's own weather pattern. Even with perfectly blue skies, the mountain can get socked in and not be seen. I have seen it just once and quite briefly. Minutes later it clouded up... The foothills in the foreground are huge. Just imagine how big it is in comparison.

What's next

Today, I am provisioning for the rest of the trip. I'm also going to be on the lookout for moose. I hear there is one around here with two calves.

Tomorrow, I hope to get up in the air for some aerials of the park. It's all up in the air right now...

Tomorrow night I travel to Talkeetna. There is another ranger station there. I hope get in a plane headed for base camp on Mt. McKinley where climbers begin their journey that takes weeks.

Transportation in the park

When I first heard that you had to ride a bus to get farther than 15 miles into the park, I thought it was a drag. I have to tell you. It is a great way to see the park and wildlife. The driver stops when wildlife is spotted. Here, visitors get a great look at dall sheep which included several rams. The view is much higher than a car so it is easier to see over brush. There are about 10 to 40 eyes all looking for wildlife. Not much is missed. All a visitor has to do is yell "stop!"
Can you imagine how horrible it would be if cars were aloud past the 15 mile marker? Traffic jams would abound when a bear like this is so close to the road. The bus system is designed to keep human contact with wildlife to a minimum so wildlife can go about their business of being wild and free.

More Wildlife

A mew gull tries to keep a golden eagle from attacking her young. This is quite a brave gull!Not happy with any moose photo yet. This was taken from the train near Panorama Moutain during an interp program.
A porcupine. These are extremely hard to photograph. As soon as you see one, it scampers into the woods.
Dall sheep. This is a ewe and her lambs.
http://library.thinkquest.org/3500/dall_sheep.html
A mew gull finds a feast from the leftovers of an artic ground squirrel.
The golden eagle is incredibley majestic. It is bigger than a bald eagle and is more pravalent in Denali.A perfect landing...

Eeek, eek, eek...
A beaver in one of the many kettle ponds on the western end of the park.

Contest!

The first person to figure out the exact name of this creature, gets a print of their choice from my visit.

Kris Fister

This is Kris Fister. She is in charge of PR for Denali National Park and Preserve. Kris is extremely kind, hard working and incredibly knowledgeable about the park. She is the reason I am in Denali. I applied through her for a volunteer position as a photographer. She made all the arrangements for my stay here. She also hooked me up with Jay Elhard (see post about Jay).

Interpretive Rangers

When I thought of park rangers before coming to Denali, I thought of officials taking money at the entrance, enforcing rules and laws, and making sure visitors don't cause problems with wildlife and such.

What most people don't realize is that a huge part of the park ranger system consists of interpretive rangers. The interpretive rangers educate visitors about the park. They help visitors discover and understand the beauty and wonder of the park. The ecosystem, wildlife, plant life, natural & cultural history, and so on. They are all so smart and really care about connecting visitors to the beauty of the park. They usually work in a message about the importance of taking care of our planet and our living resources.

Each ranger brings with them a gift of knowledge and and understanding about the spiritual and physical aspects of the park. I have enjoyed contact with each of these amazing people.

Interp Ranger Elizabeth Beavers and I rode in a van for about 90 miles south to join a train of visitors coming from a Princess Cruise. She goes from car to car explaining the history of transportation in Alaska and to Denali in particular. She also gives passengers an introduction to the park. She does this 5 times for each car on the train. At the end of the run, her voice was gone...
Interp Ranger, Frannie Christensen takes visitors on a "discovery hike." We walked through the forest and then along a river. It was about a 5 mile hike. She pointed out various plant life, traces of wildlife like scat (poop) and animal tracks. Taking a look and discussing a bone on the rocky river.Frannie answers a question from a visitor.
Interpretive Ranger Amy Clary explains the history of the far reaches of the park known as Kantishna which is past Wonder Lake. These visitors travel 13 hours round-trip to hear her program.
She takes them to Fannie Quigley's cabin. Fannie is an historical figure in the history of the park. She was a pioneer miner woman who died in 1944. A view of the restored cabin where Fannie spent much of her life. She lived here without the benefit of roads or trains.

Grizzlies!

Thanks for all your comments! They make me so happy.

I have been in the "back country" for a couple of days. No access to cell phones or internet.

In the past two days I have come upon several grizzlies. They are such majestic creatures! They are so aloof of humans. Denali National Park is unlike any other National park with regard to wildlife. The National Park Service has taken great pains to make sure wildlife is undisturbed by humans. Bears do not know that humans have food for them like at Yosemite or Yellowstone. They do not come into camps rumaging to fill their bellies. Because of limited contact, they do not bother people. In fact, no person has ever been killed by a grizzly in Denali. Ever. It cannot be said for other national parks.How fun! A grizzy bear walked down a snow covered hill, slipped and had a ride...

What's that smell?
A sow and her two first-year cubs.
The grizzly does not need to worry about predators. They are the king of the all species.
These two mated (I know because a ranger took photos of them copulating). They must be tuckerd out from their fornicational activities...
This one came out into the open for a second before walking away. One moment and it was over.
Don't "F" with these creatures!

The Prize

You want an incentive? Whoever posts the most meaningful copmments, gets a free 13x19 print of any photo I make. Go to it!

Today I shot mostly park stuff. Exteriors . People doing things in the front country. This kid was so involved with the plastic Grizzly.
This was at a celebration put on by the superintendent.

Here are photos from yesterday. I spent the day in the "Front Country." This is where Park Headquarters is along with learning centers, visitors centers and the like. A young man becomes an official Jr. Park Ranger.
Got the moose right at the entrance to the park. This one had two calves but they are gone. Some suspect a Grizzly got them. She has been known to charge people and RVs... People don't realize how dangerous these moose are. Some visitors actually get out of their cars and try to pose next to them. Not a good idea.
At the Murie Learning Center a child looks at a bird's nest with the help of an educator.
They have periodic dog sled demonstrations.
I spent time with park officials touring a newly renovated residence.

Cannot get photos to upload

OK so I made it to the big five. I shot a moose today. I can't upload photos for some reason tonight so I will try again tomorrow. The big five are, moose, grizzly bear, wolf, dall sheep, and caribou. The difference between a caribou and a reindeer is that a reindeer flies...

I have also shot: porcupine, fox, magpie (it's a bird) ptarmigan, snowshoe hare, arctic ground squirrel, owl, whale, and black bear.

Today I shot lots of regular assignments in the front country where all the official action takes place. Big shot officials, dog mushing demonstration, and a discovery hike (a ranger takes folks out on a hike and explains lots of stuff about wildlife and such).

Tomorrow I will have a shorter day with just a couple of assignments including shooting backpackers that go out into the back country. The next day Jay and I will head to the back country for a couple of days. We will stay in a camp for employees at Toklat which is half way out. I will be heading to Wonder Lake (90 miles from here at 25 mph) where there are amazing photos to be had of Mt. McKinley. 

One of my photos will be on the back cover of a book the park is working on! We hope to have an official website of all my photos soon. 

It's 12:15 a.m. and it's so bright out. It was kind of warm today in the low 70s. It gets pretty cold at night. Usually in the 30s or 40s. 

Thanks to everyone that has commented on my blog! Barb gets the prize for the most comments. Thanks Barb!

-KM

Opening of Eielson Visitors Center

Yesterday was the opening of the Eilson Visitors Center. It was my first official assignment. It's 66 miles into the park. It takes a long time to get there when you go 20 to 30 miles an hour and stop for every potential photo along the way.The new building is a model of environmentally sensitive construction and sustainable design with indoor and outdoor viewing areas, new exhibits combined with a viewing room, interior eating, and interpretive program space.

The purpose of the new building is to provide for up to 300 visitors, a place for shelter and comfort, a place to get basic orientation information and learn about the cultural and natural resources of the area, and place to eat lunch and explore after a long bus ride. The building also provides refuge for backpackers by providing 24 hour access to bathrooms and shelter.

Source: http://www.nps.gov/dena/parknews/eielson-visitor-center.htm

Get it?
A mom comforts her child after she bumped her head. How many times have we done this?