Exploring Nature by Sheila Newenham
It’s low tide as we skiff ashore from John’s old tugboat. Following a deep channel, the captain brings the dinghy in as far as he can and then I step out into the incoming surf. In hip boots, I slosh through the water over hard-packed … Continue readingHallo Bay Bears and Wolves
The flight leaves Kodiak Island at 4pm. We have one last day to make the most of exploring this wild place. We passed by Fort Abercrombie Park, a World War II site with a beautifully rugged coast rumored to have a sow and cub hanging … Continue readingWandering Kodiak
Below the weir is a large shallow pool where a lone sow is wading. She occasionally darts in a rush of water toward salmon that are making their last journey upstream. She isn’t having much success in the middle of the pool. On the … Continue readingFrazer River Bear Families
The rising sun casts a warm peach glow across the calm, flat waters of Kukak Bay. We arrived here after dark last night dropping anchor next to Eagle Rock where a pair of oystercatchers is now starting their day. A sea otter is floating, bobbing, … Continue readingKukak Bay Serenity
It’s a rare, sunny, blue-sky, August day on the Katmai Coast. There’s a nice breeze that is keeping the bugs at bay. I can see bears fishing in the river and others walking the beach toward the mouth of the bay. I am eager to … Continue readingTwo Days Full of Bears in Geographic Harbor
After quickly adding layers – long underwear, rain pants, wool socks, thermal undershirt, sweater, coat, hat, and gloves – I grabbed my backpack and hip waders and boarded the skiff for our first trip ashore. We passed what I first thought was a sea otter. … Continue readingOur First Steps in Geographic Harbor
Low tide almost empties the terminal end of the Kamishak Bay in Geographic Harbor leaving a stunning technicolor braided river in its place. The opaque blues of the glacial silt mix with the sand and soil from recent rains. We fly over this majestic landscape … Continue readingKatmai Bears by Boat: A Week on an Old Tugboat
After six days in Lake Clark National park, the morning of our departure arrived. I awoke early to take advantage of one last bear viewing trip before breakfast only to find us socked in with fog. As I’m not so fond of the early rising, … Continue readingBest Flight Delay Ever!
At the lodge in Lake Clark, our assigned guide was at our disposal. Want to go out before breakfast at 6am? Want to go out after lunch? Want to go on a hike? He’ll take you. I’m not sure when he sleeps or showers. Maybe … Continue readingA Rainy Day at the Lodge
One morning while we were staying in Lake Clark, we took the opportunity to go with one other couple to Puffin Island. We departed late morning on a low-tide loading. The boat is moored far off from the high tide line where it can still … Continue readingPuffin Island