Flowing Water

Institute Creek. I was excited when I noticed that the water level was perfect for taking pictures. It had been high since late winter due to snow melt and now I'm finally able to get the picture I've been waiting for. If you click on this picture you can see a larger version.

Another angle.

Here is another creek along the Institute Trail.

Another nice looking shot. I like the reds in this photo, we don't have a lot of red rock on Wrangell Island but there was at least 100' of red rock in this stream.

All in a Day's Work

I volunteered to do a survey of the Institute Trail up to Shoemaker Overlook on a pretty nice Saturday. I was planning on hiking up there anyway and thought I could get some work done at the same time. I brought the camera and I'm very thankful I did. This shot is near the trailhead looking toward the institute property.

The trail going toward the High Country Shelter just above the junction.

Fog would keep rolling in until about 3 pm, then clear off and then repeat the cycle.

Dramatic Clouds

This is looking toward Etolin Island from the trail to Shoemaker Overlook.

Woronkofski Island from Shoemaker Overlook.

After the work day was done (6pm Saturday) I was driving home and stuck the camera out the window and snapped this picture of the cloud formation over Woronkofski Island.

Shoemaker Harbor as seen from Shoemaker Overlook. It's a steady two hour hike (at a brisk pace) from there to here because the trail loops around a creek and cliffs before getting on top of this bluff.

Bike Path

Christina and I enjoyed a beautiful evening walk. When the clouds part the scenery is amazing.

Christina took a couple beautiful pictures of the evening sun on the vegetation and mountains. The flowers in the foreground are fireweed.

Foxglove. These pictures were taken with a new lens. Canon's 24-105mm, I'm certainly impressed with the color, it is a very nice lens.

The rock man. As you drive out Zimovia Highway this is a nice landmark. The rocks are immense. I imagine someone got a new excavator a long time ago and couldn't wait to try it out.

Scenery to "Spur" us on

Taking a break on top and I took this picture of Quent.

Quent's bumble bee.

This rock formation made diamond shapes. A fun place to smile for the camera-man.

My (Christina's) love for colored leaves continues...
This is picture of a currant plant.

Random pictures we can't think of a title for.

Our temporarly adopted kitten had to leave a couple days ago but here he getting cozy with Quent's sock the night before he went to his real home.

My lovely bride taking a break from picking berries. We picked about 6 cups of berries by hand in a pretty short time. However, it was long enough for the bugs to find our arms.

Hummm.... What's this supposed to mean anyway?

The brilliant red of a ripe salmonberry growing along side spur road.

Another Perspective

I was working on Etolin Island from July 11-13 and this is a picture of Wrangell taken from Etolin looking toward Wrangell. Wrangell is that little mound that protrudes into the center of the frame from the island (Wrangell) on the right.

Blueberry Season!

We let Tigger go outside (in his cat taxi) and watch the birds and smell the fresh air. He had an extra special treat this time because two bald eagles decided to perch on the tree across from him and chirp. He really likes to watch birds. The bigger the better. Can't get much bigger than these in Alaska.

Marsha Peak.

The overcast sun created a neat halo around this lodgepole pine.

IT IS BLUEBERRY SEASON! We wen't back here a few days later and picked quite a few. Mmmm... Blueberry pancakes, blueberry cobbler, blueberry anything!

Invader

We watched a kitten for almost two weeks as his owner was out of town. He created quite the disturbance in our household. His motor was either pedal-to-the-metal or zonked out. A lot of fun but our cats didn't really think so at first but they eventually warmed up to him.

Three Sisters Campsite at Nemo. Lupine and lots of them.

Looking out over the three sisters. (Bessie is in the middle of the frame.)

Blueberries aren't quite in season but it appears that lupine are about the right color.

Three Sisters Campsite (Nemo)

Christina wanted to go to the Nemo campsites to take pictures of the lupine that are abundant in that location. They are really abundant this year.

Bessie Peak in the clouds.

Fourth of July Festivities!

It has been a while since we have added anything to our blog. The last entry was the fourth but didn't include any of the pictures from that day. Here is a taste of what it was like. This is Clay and his son driving in the fourth of July parade. Christina made the observation that it was the one thing in Wrangell that started on time.

A lovely shot of Christina

Our neighbor Sam is about the toss us a treat.

The sidewalks downtown were packed with pedestrians. It's amazing how many people are in town during the fourth of July. It is Wrangell's biggest holiday and a whole lot of fun.