The next couple of days in Alaska went by in a blur. A day in Girdwood, with nothing but Chickadees. A rainy visit to the Portage Valley, where we pick up American Dipper, and Wilson's Snipe, along with the ever-present Orange-crowned and Yellow-rumped Warblers. Oh, and a Northwestern Crow, a bit out of its usual coastal territory. As we made our way north of Anchorage toward Denali, I realized that I left my copy of Birding Alaska at our last hotel. Already two and half hours away, I decide to leave it behind, and get it the day before we are to leave Alaska. Now I'm on my own!
We stopped near Trapper Creek, and get a very birdy area, with highlights of Pine Siskin, Boreal Chickadee, Alder Flycatcher, Lincoln's Sparrow, and a family of Spruce Grouse. And the next day, we focused on mammels in Denali National Park, getting great views of Moose, Dall Sheep, Wolf, Coyote, and Grizzly Bear. Also saw numerous Golden Eagle, a Northern Harrier, and a mix of White-crowned, and Fox Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Orange-crowned, Wilson's and Yellow Warblers.
The following day, we drove the Denali Highway, a 125 mile gravel road across the heart of the Alaskan wilderness. I'm sure my pictures won't do it justice, but a fantastic day. At our first stop along the highway, in light rain, we see Trumpeter Swan, and two beautiful Bohemian Waxwings. Stopping for lunch at the Brushkana Campground, we get great looks at two Harlequin Ducks.
We stop soon after lunch to take a look at a Swan, and discover it is a Tundra, and in the ensuing half hour or so, we see the usual warblers, but also Cliff and Tree Swallows, and a beautiful Northern Waterthrush.
A few miles later we get great looks at an adolescent Common Loon, along with two adults, and a large group of Common Mergansers and Greater Scaup. Just before dinner (at one of only 3 or 4 places along the entire highway with services), we make a stop that turns out to be very productive. For miles we have been looking for Arctic Warbler, and we finally hear one, and then briefly, I see it. Also in the same area is a Hermit Thrush, and then, to our surprise, about 50 yards up the road, a family of Rock Ptarmigan quickly cross the road, and disappear.
The last twenty miles of the highway are paved, and the going is much quicker. We cap the day with a group of Northern Shrike, before getting to Paxson at about 9 pm. Sun doesn't set until about 10:40, and it never really seems to get dark. What a day!
August 10 - Denali Highway, Alaska
323. Bohemian Waxwing
324. Harlequin Duck
325. Tundra Swan
326. Northern Waterthrush
327. Arctic Warbler
328. Rock Ptarmigan
329. Greater Scaup