Summer Walks

Each season provides a different perspective on the trails around our house. The eagles lay eggs each April, and by July the chicks are beginning to look like their parents (without the white plumage).


No one grows cotton in Alaska, but we have plenty of 'cotton' falling off our cottonwood trees this time of year.

This big fellow meandered through our garden patch.  No garden planted this year, due to need to roll equipment over the garden patches to repair some earthquake fissures and slides down the bluff.


We've had no swallows take up residence in our bird houses for a couple of years.  I think I figured out why.  This little guy just likes to lounge in the houses and watch us work around the yard.


A bumble bee hovers over a fireweed bloom.

Dino down on the hay flats.


Jolene, looking back towards the house.

Dino bounding through the Alaska high grass.








I thought these flowers growing on lily pads in the pond near the house looked interesting.




Heidi looks like a gargoyle perched atop a retaining wall in our backyard.


We've had a hot summer.  More 80 degree days than ever recorded, and even hit 90 degrees (also a first).


Thermometer showed 93 on our back deck.


Unfortunately the heat brings wildfire danger, and evacuation warnings. This year we had a wildfire start in the woods near our house, and within minutes of it being reported, a helicopter landed near the house and dropped off several firefighters who put it out.....30 minutes from the time it started until the firefighters left enroute to other fires.  Impressive for a state with such a low population.

Ever seen a grasshopper comb his hair?  (video courtesy of Honey).