On Friday, June 29, 2018, I awoke to large puddles from the over night rain. My flight to visit the bears was cancelled due to thick fog. This was my second cancellation. Hopefully, the weather will be nicer tomorrow. Gas prices are pretty high in Homer. The eagles were, of course, drenched. That’s a loon in the water. Gull eggs and chicks next to the harbor. Comments? Favorite images?
On Thursday, June 28, 2018, I captured these images of an adult couple and their eaglet in Homer, Alaska near the far end of the harbor! The sea otter came floating by as I was watching the eagles! Comments? Favorites?
On Wednesday, June 27, 2018, I was scheduled to fly to the Cape Douglas area in the Katmai National Park to view and photograph some more bears. The flight was cancelled due to high winds (a safety issue)! So, I spent some time watching the eagles feed their young. The other little bird landed on the lupine for a wonderful image between waiting for the eagle to return to the nest with fresh fish.
On Tuesday, June 26, 2018, I delivered a 24″ x 36″ gallery wrap (photo on canvas) to the Homer Chamber of Commerce Visitor’s Center to display on the wall so many people visiting Homer will see the image of a brown bear sow and her cub standing that I captured last year in the Silver Salmon area of Lake Clark National Park! Thank you Bridget Maryott for hanging my photo. Those are last years photo contest winners displayed in the Visitor Center! That’s my campsite at the new KOA Baycrest RV about 4.5 miles up the hill from downtown Homer! Homer is a wonderful place to visit! Comments? Questions? Favorite images?
On Monday, June 25, 2018, I took a bear viewing flight with Bald Mountain Air Service out of Homer, Alaska to the Swikshak area of Katmai NP. There were seven passengers, including me plus the pilot. We first hiked along the beach where I took pictures of the bear foot print and the dug out bear bed in the sand. We hiked up a hill through a beautiful meadow of lupines. Bears take these trails also, as evidenced by the huge amount of bear scat. The bears pretty much spend twenty-four hours a day eating and pooping, with intermittent resting! While our group was positioned on top of a ridge, we noticed a sow and her three cubs far to our left and moving in our direction. My first pictures of them were taken at quite a long distance. AS one of the male bears began his approach, the sow began moving her cubs away and began climbing the hill we were sitting on. She brought her cubs beside right beside us to our left. The male bear followed her up the hill also;but, lost her scent due to the wind blowing away from him. Then, the male bear walked down the hill and continued to eat the sedge grass in the meadow. It was quite an adventure. Comments? Questions? Favorite images?
On Saturday, June 23, 2018, I traveled from Portage Valley to Homer, Alaska! My traveling bear buddy, Al is the keeper of the driver’s snacks and drinks. Corn Nuts, Milk Duds, Bubble Gum, Root Beer, and Mountain Dew are some of my favorites! I checked in with the air service who will be flying me over to Katmai National Park on Monday. Then, I strolled the Homer Spit boardwalk and beach for some pictures. The driftwood images are for my good photographer friend, Peter! Favorites? Comments? Questions?
On Friday, June 22, 2018, I traveled from Anchorage to the Portage Valley to visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, one of my favorite places to observe and photograph bears and other animals! Of course, I spent the night in “Black Bear Campground!” I also had time for a brief visit at Portage Glacier! Favorite images or comments?
On Thursday, June 21, 2018, I made a visit to the Alaska Zoo in Anchorage after getting an oil change for my van in the early morning!
Favorites? Comments?
On Wednesday, June 20, 2018, I traveled from Valdez to Anchorage, Alaska!
Favorite images?
Here are some more images I captured during my cruise to Meares Glacier out of the Valdez harbor into Prince William Sound on June 19, 2018! Any favorites?
Smith's Uncommon Adventures 