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©2010-2018 Chuck Maas
Category Archives: Fauna
Spring Migration
Waterfowl are beginning to show up again on their annual flights north. A small patch of open water in Anchorage called Spenard Crossing is one of the better spots to observe early arrivals. Today a pair of trumpeter swans, several … Continue reading
They’re Back
The gulls and geese have returned for the “summer” season. It may seem a bit early, since ice has not yet melted from all the lakes and ponds and foliage is mostly still brown. But the annual transition has begun, … Continue reading
Avian Winter Residents
Not all birds migrate. Among the winter residents in Southcentral Alaska are black-capped chickadees and red-breasted nuthatches seen visiting a peanut butter feeder above. Boreal chickadees, and both hairy and downy woodpeckers also stop by regularly.
Feeding Time
Lots of young birds around his time of year. Two eaglets are well cared for in this big nest in the top of an old cottonwood tree in south Anchorage.
Persistent Woodpecker
I’ve had a nest box attached to a birch tree in the backyard for several years in an attempt to attract chickadees. That hasn’t happened, but recently a male hairy woodpecker showed up and began drumming on the front of … Continue reading
Harvest Time
Summers are short and autumn comes early in Alaska. Fall colors are already evident in many areas, and small creatures—like the Collared Pika below—are working diligently to lay up stores for the winter. It’s a busy time between now and … Continue reading
Owlet
The big eyes of a young Great-horned Owl track movement from its perch on a limb well above its nest in a tall cottonwood tree. Not yet quite able to fly, it is exploring as much territory as possible.
Nurturing
It’s the time of year for lots of new life, including eaglets. This young one receives a morsel of food from an adult.
Late Winter Visitor
It’s early March already, but Bohemian Waxwings are still roving in flocks around Southcentral Alaska looking for remaining fruit, especially mountain ash berries. After a flock has gorged on berries, you’ll often see them fly down to the ground and … Continue reading
Happy Thanksgiving
Turkeys are the symbolic emblem for our formal American day of giving thanks. This rafter of wild turkeys in California (also called a gang, posse, or flock) was made up largely of toms which were very busy strutting in an … Continue reading