Hello Everyone! 2015 was a great, great year. Traveling took me from the North Slope of Alaska to the southern coast of Texas. Professionally I am headed back to the “real world” after completing my thesis in December, and will enjoying a married life by mid-summer! The images below are some of my Top Shots from 2015. If there was a blog post associated with the image I included it in the caption. I hope you enjoy.
If you have enjoyed the blog this year please take the time to pass it on to a friend who would enjoy it too, and encourage them to sign up for the emails. Thanks all!
Aurora Borealis
The Aurora Borealis has become an addiction of mine, and these two particular some of my favorites from the season.
It’s been a mild summer in Alaska so far. Temps have been pushing to about 75 degrees in the afternoons and hovering around 50 degrees at night. The conditions could not be MORE perfect to be out-and-about!
I’m just diving in Alaskan flower identification with many of the early summer species coming into full bloom. On the way to Wickersham Dome there is a great assortment of alpine species which can be enjoyed in the open, windy areas out of the clutches of the mosquito clouds. The flowers are beautiful, and this one, 5 mile hike provided well over a dozen species of flowers in all shades of color.
Like I said, I am new to AK flower ID, so I won’t stand by these ID’s 100%. If you know I have one wrong, please tell me. I know several of those who read this blog have great plant ID skills! Also, there’s a section at the bottom of flowers I have not ID’d yet, I would love to get your input!
Low-bush cranberries were common in the open areas along the trail. These small berries are also known as lingonberries and are great to eat once rip! They’re tart and taut with a satistifying pop. These plants, like many of the alpine species, are very, very close to the ground.
Low-bush Cranberry (Lingonberry)
Low-bush Cranberry (lingonberry)A swallowtail butterfly feeds on and pollinates some low-bush cranberries near the summit of Wickersham Dome
Another edible plant which was common around the trail were the blueberries. They have just formed their fruits and are a rosy pink. Some more time and lots of sun will turn these little morsels blue.
Wild Blueberry
An Alaskan specialty is the cloud berry. I’ve heard no-one makes cloud berry pie, because they’re so good you eat them all before you get home! :D. The berries form a cluster that looks like salmon spawn.
Cloud Berry
Mountain avens are small and beautiful. I actually ran into the mustache shaped seed pods last fall which in Denali National Park, so it was great to see what the flowers looked like!
Mountain AvensMountain Avens overlooking the top of Wickersham Dome.
The rest of the trail was scattered with many other species of flowers which can be seen here along with some of the beautiful scenery.
Lupines along the trail to Wickersham DomePink Plumes! Not even kidding, that’s their name!Narcissus AnenomeArctic Sandwort
Unknowns
Unknown flower #1 : Probable Cut-leaf anenome or “early thimbleweed”. Both are common names for it.Unknown Flower # 2! – Identified! Elegant Indian PaintbrushUnknown flower # 3 : An arnica species (Thanks Justin)… but now… which?
I’ll throw in a shout-out to these great sites which helped me in my Alaska wildflower ID and will be a great resource in the future:
I’ll leave you with a picture of a super-tree which is defying the odd by surviving on summit and this nesting yellow-rump warbler. She sure was well hid!
This pine tree defied the odds on the summit of Wickersham Dome. Somehow it’s thriving when none others could!A female yellow-rump sits on her nest along the trail to Wickersham Dome. She was keeping low, but keeping a close eye out.
