GRAND ALASKA PART II: ANCHORAGE, DENALI, AND THE KENAI PENINSULA
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GRAND ALASKA PART II: ANCHORAGE,
DENALI, AND THE KENAI PENINSULA
JUNE 16–24, 2021
Varied Thrush, Seward, Alaska, June 21, 2021 ©Barry Zimmer
LEADERS: BARRY ZIMMER & ERIK BRUHNKE
LIST COMPILED BY: BARRY ZIMMER
VICTOR EMANUEL NATURE TOURS, INC.
2525 WALLINGWOOD DRIVE, SUITE1003
AUSTIN, TEXAS 78746
WWW.VENTBIRD.COM
Grand Alaska Part II:
Anchorage, Denali, and the Kenai Peninsula
June 16–24, 2021
By Barry Zimmer
Once again, our Grand Alaska Part II tour was a huge success. From boreal forest birds
in the Denali region to spruce forest dwellers around Seward to wonderful seabirds in
Kenai Fjords National Park, our avian list was superb. Additionally, we had wonderful
mammal viewing throughout the trip and Denali in full view on two days! What more
could you ask for?
Arctic Tern, Anchorage, Alaska, June 17, 2021 ©Barry Zimmer
Our tour began with a full day of birding in and around Anchorage. Our first stop was at
Westchester Lagoon, where we tallied many nesting Red-necked Grebes (in gorgeous
breeding plumage), four Bald Eagles, abundant Arctic Terns, and an Orange-crowned
Warbler nearly in our laps, among many others. From there we headed to Potter Marsh
just south of town. A majestic pair of Trumpeter Swans topped the list, but we also
added Ring-necked Duck, a few Red-necked Phalaropes, and very close Alder
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 2 Grand Alaska Part II, 2021
Flycatcher and Lincoln’s Sparrow. A quick stop at Kincaid Park before lunch yielded a
nice Swainson’s Thrush and a Moose so close to our van that we could almost scratch
it! After lunch, we headed down towards Girdwood. Along Turnagain Arm, we found the
expected Dall’s Sheep on the high cliffs, as well as some very unexpected Beluga
Whales right next to the highway (thanks Sarah!). Stunning Varied Thrushes and a
brilliant Townsend’s Warbler at eye level at Crow Creek, and some after dinner
Hudsonian Godwits back at Westchester rounded out the day.
Denali (Mount McKinley), Alaska, June 20, 2021 ©Barry Zimmer
The next day, we headed north towards the Denali region. En route we birded an area
known as the Sockeye Burn. Even before we reached the burn proper, we were
fortunate to have a rare Black-backed Woodpecker make three passes across the
highway as we watched. A short while later, we found a responsive pair of American
Three-toed Woodpeckers and a Boreal Chickadee that almost landed on my speaker!
Overshadowing the great birds, though, was the view of Denali as we headed north.
From the moment we passed the town of Willow, we had full views of the mountain with
no obstructing clouds all the way to lunch! In June, these conditions are present only
10% of the time! A few roadside stops en route to Denali Village yielded a lovely pair of
Red-throated Loons, a few Buffleheads, a flyby Bohemian Waxwing, and a very
cooperative Blackpoll Warbler. A successful “travel day” indeed!
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 3 Grand Alaska Part II, 2021
The following day was spent inside Denali National Park on the park sponsored Tundra
Wilderness Tour. This trip is primarily for mammal viewing and scenery, and it did not
disappoint. Four Grizzly Bears, four Moose, over 150 Caribou, and 40+ Dall’s Sheep
were the main attractions. We did manage several birds of interest as well, including a
male Willow Ptarmigan right next to the bus, five or more Golden Eagles, and an
unexpected Northern Wheatear among others. After some time off followed by an early
dinner, we ventured out on the Denali Highway for the first time. A tip from Jake led us
to scope views of a distant Northern Hawk Owl (a difficult and irregular species) and
another flyby Bohemian Waxwing to finish off our wonderful day!
Willow Ptarmigan, Denali NP, Alaska, June 19, 2021 ©Barry Zimmer
We returned to the Denali Highway the next morning and were able to re-find the Hawk
Owl for those who were not with us the previous evening. Other highlights included
another pair of Trumpeter Swans, two male Barrow’s Goldeneyes, a White-winged
Scoter, a pair of Solitary Sandpipers in spruce trees, a tenacious Least Sandpiper that
valiantly defended its territory, a family group of Canada Jays, and a male Rusty
Blackbird. Also, Denali was, once again, in full view from the moment we got on the
highway! The remainder of the afternoon was spent uneventfully cruising back to
Anchorage.
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 4 Grand Alaska Part II, 2021
Northern Hawk Owl, Denali Highway, Alaska, June 19, 2021 ©Barry Zimmer The final leg of our journey was a visit to the Kenai Peninsula. Heading southward, we hit the Girdwood area again, adding Hermit Thrush, “Northwestern” Crow, and, most important, fresh blueberry fritters! A roadside stop, as we entered the Kenai, yielded “Harlan’s” Red-tailed Hawk, Varied Thrush, and “Sooty” Fox Sparrow. At Granite Creek, we had a very close Golden-crowned Sparrow. We stopped along the highway for scope views of Mountain Goats before we headed to Seward for lunch. After lunch, we enjoyed a wonderful family group of American Dippers at Bear Creek, not to mention the numerous Sockeye Salmon jumping up the waterfall at the weir. We finished off our day at a private residence, where we tallied Rufous Hummingbird, Hairy and Downy woodpeckers, the kenaiensis Song Sparrow, many Pine Siskins, and fleeting views of a Pine Grosbeak. A brief post-dinner option to Lowell Point proved highly successful with a Sea Otter no more than 30 feet away, and Pigeon Guillemot, Marbled Murrelet, and a very close Varied Thrush as avian highlights. Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 5 Grand Alaska Part II, 2021
“Sooty” Fox Sparrow, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, June 21, 2021 ©Barry Zimmer A nine-hour boat trip into Kenai Fjords National Park and the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge was on tap for the next day. Despite some drizzly, cold conditions, we had spectacular success! We saw virtually all of the hoped-for seabirds, including hundreds of Horned and Tufted puffins; Common and Thick-billed murres; Red-faced Cormorant; Marbled, Kittlitz’s (great views), and Ancient murrelets; and Parakeet and Rhinoceros (unusually scarce this year) auklets. The mammals were also amazing with Humpback (one individual breaching eight times right next to the boat) and Killer (pod of eight) whales, Steller’s Sea Lions, and numerous Harbor Seals and Sea Otters. Additionally, Northwestern Glacier was calving very actively, so we had spectacular viewing of large chunks of ice crashing into the water. This was an all-around incredible day! Our final day was largely devoted to travel and packing, but we did some early morning birding around Seward. A family group of nine Chestnut-backed Chickadees stole the show, but we also saw Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned kinglets (with crests raised and at eye level), Steller’s Jay in the Wells Fargo parking lot, and several White-winged Crossbills; and we had slam dunk views of six Pine Grosbeaks. Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 6 Grand Alaska Part II, 2021
Pine Grosbeak, Seward, Alaska, June 23, 2021 ©Barry Zimmer In all, we tallied 111 species of birds for the tour, 15 species of mammals, and countless breathtaking scenic vistas. Our time in the Last Frontier was simply epic! ITINERARY June 16 – arrival in Anchorage June 17 – hotel grounds, Westchester Lagoon, Potter Marsh, Kincaid Park, drive to Girdwood along Turnagain Arm, Crow Creek Mine Road (42 species) June 18 – drive to Denali National Park via the Parks Highway with stops at the Sockeye Burn and the MP 206 pond (36 species; 58 total) June 19 – Denali National Park shuttle bus ride to Stony Pass (MP 62); evening excursion on Denali Highway to MP 122 (22 species; 70 total) June 20 – Denali Highway to MP 108, drive to Anchorage along Parks Highway (45 species; 77 total) Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 7 Grand Alaska Part II, 2021
June 21 – Anchorage to Seward with stops at Girdwood (Crow Creek Mine Road),
Granite Creek Campground, Bear Creek, and Ava’s house off Nash Road; post-dinner
trip to Lowell Point Road (47 species; 89 total)
June 22 – all-day boat trip from Resurrection Bay to Kenai Fjords National Park,
Northwestern Fjord and the Chiswell Islands (part of the Alaska Maritime National
Wildlife Refuge) (33 species; 108 total)
June 23 – Nash Woods, Two Lakes Trail (Ravina Road), Ava’s house, Trail River
Campground, Upper Summit Lake, drive to Anchorage (43 species; 111 total)
June 24 - departures for home (111 total species)
Denali (Mount McKinley), Alaska, June 20, 2021 ©Barry Zimmer
KEY
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 8 Grand Alaska Part II, 2021
A = Anchorage and surrounding areas (Potter Marsh, Turnagain Arm, Girdwood,
etc.)
D = Denali National Park, Denali Hwy, and Parks Hwy north of Wasilla
S = Seward, Kenai Fjords National Park, Summit Lakes, Granite Creek
Campground, Bear Creek, Nash Road, Trail River Campground (Kenai Peninsula)
bold-faced species indicate birds of rare, casual or accidental occurrence
underlined species indicate birds of very uncommon occurrence or species which
occur regularly but in such low densities as to be easily missed
# - indicates birds seen with babies or on nests
Bald Eagle, Bear Creek, Alaska, June 21, 2021 ©Barry Zimmer
BIRDS
Waterfowl:
Brant (Branta bernicla) S----a flock of twelve at Seward were noteworthy for this tour
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 9 Grand Alaska Part II, 2021
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) A---presumed to be of the small “Lesser Canada Goose” group parvipes ; # Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) A,D,S---best at Potter Marsh & along the Denali Highway; 17 total; # Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata) A,D---several at Westchester Gadwall (Mareca strepera) A---five in Anchorage the first day; generally uncommon in Alaska American Wigeon (Mareca americana) A,D Mallard (Anas platyrhychus) A,D,S---# Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) A,D---# Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) A---all at Westchester Lagoon Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) A---pair at Potter Marsh along the highway; uncommon Greater Scaup (Aythya marila) A,D,S---common Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) A,D Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) S---less numerous than usual; a few off Lowell Point Road o post dinner option Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata) S----two flocks comprising 60 or so birds on our boat trip; close views White-winged Scoter (Melanitta deglandi) D,S---one on the float plane lake along the denial Highway and a flock of 20 from the boat trip Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) D---a few at the MP 206 pond south of Denali; uncommon Barrow’s Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica) D,S---a pair of males along the Denali Highway, a female north of Seward and another male by Siri in Seward Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) S---flock of twenty from the boat and a few more by Siri in Seward Gallinaceous Birds: Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 10 Grand Alaska Part II, 2021
Willow Ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus) D---superb studies in Denali National Park of a male along the roadside; uncommonly seen on the bus ride Grebes: Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena) A,S---common around Anchorage with many nests seen; # Doves & Pigeons: Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) A,S Hummingbirds: Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) S---a couple at Ava’s; only females seen this year Cranes: Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis) A,D---Potter Marsh & the Parks Highway Sandpipers and Allies: Hudsonian Godwit (Limosa haenastica) A—we had eleven at Westchester Lagoon on our second visit; uncommon Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) D---one at the hawk owl spot won our hearts with his determined response; uncommon breeder Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus) A---three at Potter Marsh Wilson’s Snipe (Gallinago delicata) D,A,S---an adorable baby toddling along the highway near Summit Lake was voted the third favorite bird of the tour!; great spotting by Erik Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus) A Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria) D---pair at the hawk owl spot calling from trees! Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) A,D---perched in trees! Auks, Murres and Puffins: Common Murre (Uria aalge) S---about 400 from the boat in Seward Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 11 Grand Alaska Part II, 2021
Thick-billed Murre (Uria lomvia) S---about 25 on the cliffs at the Chiswells; very
uncommon
Pigeon Guillemot (Cepphus columba) S---15 or more on boat trip, plus one on
Lowell Point Raod
Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) S---about 8 from the boat, plus
one seen from Lowell Point Road
Kittlitz’s Murrelet (Brachyramphus brevirostris) S---excellent views of one near
Anchor Glacier thanks to Gary & Emily, plus a group of four more a short while later;
four years ago, we missed this species completely
Kittlitz’s Murrelet, Kenai Fjords NP, Alaska, June 22, 2021 ©Erik Bruhnke
Ancient Murrelet (Synthilboramphus antiquus) S---a pair right next to the boat was
seen well by people on the right side of the bow; another pair in flight later on; very
uncommon & easily missed
Parakeet Auklet (Aethia psittacula) S---good views of about 24, including some
birds perched on the rocks; often missed entirely
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 12 Grand Alaska Part II, 2021Rhinoceros Auklet (Cerorhinca monocerata) S---a really bad year for this species
with only about seven total seen
Horned Puffin (Fratercula corniculata) S---about 300 seen; superb views, including
a few birds on the cliffs
Tufted Puffin, Chiswell Islands, Alaska, June 22, 2021 ©Barry Zimmer
Tufted Puffin (Fratercula cirrhata) S----about 750 seen; at times, side-by-side with
Horned Puffins; quite a few perched on rocks this year; voted the second favorite bird of
the tour!
Gulls & Terns:
Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) S---literally thousands in Kenai Fjords; #
Mew Gull (Larus canus) seen daily in numbers; #
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) A,D---“American “ Herring Gull (smithsonianus);
mostly around Anchorage; also several “Cook Inlet” Gulls (Herring x Glaucous-winged
hybrids)
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 13 Grand Alaska Part II, 2021Glaucous-winged Gull (Larus glaucescens) S---common around Seward Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) A,G,S---repeated spectacular views of this elegant species; # Loons: Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata) D---three in Long Lake along the Parks Highway; uncommon Common Loon (Gavia immer) S---our last new bird of the trip at Summit Lake; scarcer than usual Shearwaters & Petrels: Sooty/ Short-tailed Shearwater (Ardenna species) S----about five dark shearwaters were seen on the boat trip, but not well enough to confirm ID to one species or the other; uncommon Cormorants: Red-faced Cormorant (Phalacrocorax urile) S---the best year for this species in quite some time with about 8 seen, including one on a nest; this rapidly declining species was missed completely two of the previous five years Pelagic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax pelagicus) S---about 30 on boat trip; # Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) S Hawks and Eagles: Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) S---only seen by one or two folks; generally very uncommon here Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) D---five total with exceptional views in the national park Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius) D---one along the Denali Highway Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) A,D,S---a minimum of 53 total with many excellent views; # Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) D,S----six total, all of the Harlan’s subspecies Owls: Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 14 Grand Alaska Part II, 2021
Northern Hawk Owl (Surnia ulula) D---thanks to a tip from Jake, we had lengthy scope views on two occasions of a bird at MP 123 along the Denali Highway; though somewhat distant, we were happy to get this difficult, irregular species at all (I believe we have only seen it two of last six years); tied for fifth favorite bird of the tour! Kingfishers: Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) A---only by a few; uncommon Woodpeckers: American Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides dorsalis) D---close studies of a pair at the Sockeye Burn, thanks to Kevin & Brian!; very uncommon & low density Black-backed Woodpecker (Picoides arcticus) D----a fortuitous sighting of this rare species flying back-and-forth across the Parks Highway; not expected Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) A,D,S---seven total Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus) D,S---nine total Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) D----heard only along the Denali Highway Tyrant Flycatchers: Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi) D---heard only at the Sockeye Burn; very uncommon Western Wood-Pewee (Contopus sordidulus) D----heard only at the Sockeye Burn Alder Flycatcher (Empidonax almorum) D,A,S---eleven total Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 15 Grand Alaska Part II, 2021
Alder Flycatcher, Potter March, Alaska, June 17, 2021 ©Barry Zimmer Crows, Jays and Magpies: Canada Jay (Perisoreus canadensis) G,D---eleven total with nice views of adult and juvenile birds along the Denali Highway; formerly Gray Jay Steller’s Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) S---from the Wells Fargo parking lot; darker, shorter crested race with dark blue spots on crest Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) A,D,S---very common; the first bird of the tour; # “Northwestern” Crow (Corvus caurinus) A,S---our first at the Alpine Bakery!; as of 2020, this is now lumped in with American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) Common Raven (Corvus corax) daily; # Chickadees and Titmice: Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) A---one at the hotel in Anchorage our first and last days was, oddly, the only one of the trip Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 16 Grand Alaska Part II, 2021
Chestnut-backed Chickadee (Poecile rufescens) A,S---great views in Nash Woods
the last morning of a group of 9 birds (a shish kabob for sure); the chestnut-sided
subspecies rufescens; #
Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Seward, Alaska, June 23, 2021 ©Barry Zimmer
Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus) D---pair at the Sockeye Burn was very
responsive, as was one along the Denali Highway; uncommon
Swallows:
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) A,D,S---#
Violet-green Swallow (Tachycineta thalassina) A,D,S---excellent views of this
beauty; #
Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) D,S
Leaf Warblers:
Arctic Warbler (Phylloscopus borealis) D---very responsive bird along the Denali
Highway; this is a low density species on the west end of the Denali Highway and not
easily found
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 17 Grand Alaska Part II, 2021Arctic Warbler, Denali Highway, Alaska, June 20, 2021 ©Barry Zimmer Kinglets: Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa) A---great views at Nash Woods with crown erected Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) D,S----some had their ruby crowns in full display! Nuthatches: Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta candensis) A,S---one at our hotel; five total Dippers: American Dipper (Cinclus mexicanus) S---wonderful family group of five birds provided close, prolonged views at Bear Creek; # Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 18 Grand Alaska Part II, 2021
American Dipper, Bear Creek, Alaska, June 21, 2021 ©Barry Zimmer Starlings: European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) A---this species has increased dramatically in Anchorage over the past several years, and is now common; # Thrushes and Allies: Varied Thrush (Ixoreus naevius) D,S---ten total with especially memorable views along Lowell Point Road on a post dinner option; a great song in addition to being an awesome bird; voted the favorite bird of the tour for the second straight trip! Gray-cheeked Thrush (Catharus minimus) D Swainson’s Thrush (Catharus ustulatus) D---very good views at Kincaid Park in particular Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) A,S---perhaps the best song in North America American Robin (Turdus migratorius) almost daily Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 19 Grand Alaska Part II, 2021
Old World Flycatchers: Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) D---quite unexpected was a bird spotted by Scott, our driver/ guide on the park tour, that was seen mostly by folks on the left side of the bus; although this species nest in high elevations of the park, it is seldom seen on bus tours Waxwings: Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulous) D---our first (and best) was a bird spotted by Sarah hawking insects over the MP 206 pond along the Parks Highway; we also had another fly by at the hawk owl spot; both birds only seen in flight; uncommon & irregular Pipits: American Pipit (Anthus rebescens) D---by some in the park Finches and Allies: Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator) S---wonderful views at Ava’s of males & females; six total; voted the third favorite bird of the tour! Common Redpoll (Acanthis flammea) D---oddly, this species was heard only this year White-winged Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera) D,S---a flyover pair at the Sockeye Burn, plus about five perched birds at Nash Woods; irregular Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus) A,D,S New World Sparrows: Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca) D,S---“Sooty” birds (unalaschensis) around Seward---a possible future split; “Red” birds (zaboria) around Denali were heard only American Tree Sparrow (Spizelloides arborea) D---heard only Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) ,A,D,S---Slate-colored types White-crowned Sparrow (Zonogrichia leucophrys) A,D,S Golden-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia atricapilla) S---very responsive bird at Granite Creek Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 20 Grand Alaska Part II, 2021
Golden-crowned Sparrow, Granite Creek, Alaska, June 21, 2021 ©Barry Zimmer Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) A Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) S---nice looks at the big, dark coastal race kenaiensis Lincoln’s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) A,D,S---very close views at Potter Marsh Icterids: Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) A----scope views of male at Potter Marsh; uncommon Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) D---male at about MP 120 on Denali Highway; uncommon New World Warblers: Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) D---best at McKinley View Lodge Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 21 Grand Alaska Part II, 2021
Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata) D,A,S---several great studies
Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata) D---prolonged, close study along Parks
Highway
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) A,S,D---Myrtle types
Townsend’s Warbler (Setophaga townsendii) A,S---superb views of this striking
species; eight total; tied for fifth favorite bird of the tour!
Wilson’s Warbler (Cardellina pusilla) D,S
total species – 111
Townsend’s Warbler, Girdwood, Alaska, June 21, 2021 ©Barry Zimmer
FAVORITE BIRDS OF THE TOUR
1. Varied Thrush
2. Tufted Puffin
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 22 Grand Alaska Part II, 20213. Pine Grosbeak 4. Wilson’s Snipe (baby) 5. Northern Hawk Owl and Townsend’s Warbler tied MAMMALS Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) Arctic Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus parryii)---about ten in Denali NP Vole species Snowshoe Hare (Lepus americanus)-----scarce (only one seen) in Denali NP this year (they are very cyclic); also one near Seward Brown Bear (Grizzly) (Ursus arctos)---four total---a mother with two cubs of the year and another single; all were distant this year Steller’s Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus)---good views, but this species is declining at a ridiculous pace; maybe 20 total Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina)---particularly numerous around the glacier; at least 120 seen Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris)---great views of these cute critters on Lowell Point Road (from about 30 feet) and in Kenai Fjords; about 17 total individuals Moose (Alcas alces)---a total of 12 seen with several nice studies; one in Kincaid Park was ridiculously close (from about 15 feet away) as we were in the van! Caribou (Rangifer tarandus)---about 150 or so in Denali with many good views Mountain Goat (Oreamnus americanus)---twelve high above Tern Lake en route to Seward and four more from the boat in Cataract Cove Dall’s Sheep (Ovis dalli)---63 total split between Turnagain Arm (closest here) & Denali NP Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)-----only three total on our boat trip, but a mother and calf put on a great show with the calf breaching eight times right next to us! Killer Whale (Orca) (Orcinus orca)---loose pod of eight individuals on the way back into the harbor; great show! Beluga Whale (Delphinapterus leucas)---three spotted by Sarah in Turnagain Arm; first time on this tour in about twelve years or so total species – 15 Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 23 Grand Alaska Part II, 2021
Humpback Whale, Resurrection Bay, Alaska, June 22, 2021 ©Barry Zimmer BUTTERFLIES Canadian Swallowtail Cabbage White Arctic Fritillary total species – 3 SIGNIFICANT OTHERS Blueberry (and apple) fritters at the Alpine bakery king crab, halibut, & salmon dinners all food at Ray’s, Glacier Brewhouse, Ginger, Jen’s and Apollo Denali (Mount McKinley)---basically in full view the morning we drove to Denali & again our morning on the Denali Highway; we had lunch at McKinley View Lodge while looking at Denali the whole time!; only 10% of June visitors see the whole mountain! The Adventures of Red Dog & Minnesota Hodag The parking ticket incident Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 24 Grand Alaska Part II, 2021
Red Squirrel, Granite Creek, Alaska, June 21, 2021 ©Barry Zimmer Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 25 Grand Alaska Part II, 2021
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