It is what it is....but how did that happen?

A few weeks ago, I went to Anchorage and searched for a specific bird.   I'd been looking for it for two years, all while admiring photos others had posted of it.

I was getting discouraged.   Finally, I received corrected directions and looked some more.   Nothing.

I was getting even more discouraged, as this bird--a red-throated loon--was said to swim right up to you, making some great opportunities for close ups.   I got in the car and started to leave, when a bird flew in front of me and landed in the grass.

Oh, well, I thought.   May as well see what this is.    It turned out to be a robin, but in following it along the edge of the lake, I spotted the loon.

I sat down on a timber and aimed my big lens at it.   I got off only a few frames, when suddenly, the loon was swimming underwater figure eights RIGHT BESIDE ME!  

It surfaced just a few feet away, far too close for my big lens.   I pulled out a pocket camera and snapped away.

I didn't expect much from the photos.   The day was overcast, the light dull, and rain was falling.

I was astonished to see what I'd captured when I downloaded the photos.   It just goes to prove that while you don't always get what you want, sometimes something else is much better.

Sunday Round Up

I parked at Tern Lake a couple nights ago to go kayaking. This truck pulled in next to me. On board was a tiny sea otter pup. It was in critical condition, so I couldn't talk them into letting me see it. Good luck, litte guy. But, wow! What a truck. It's from the Sealife Center in Seward.

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Our forests are not known for accessibility. They're usually so thick with undergrowth you can't walk through them. However, just down the road from my house, there's this anomaly.

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This lake grass grows from the bottom, then goes with the flow after it reaches the surface. This is one of the most intricate patterns I've seen. It reminds me of etched glass.

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Down this quiet little cul de sac, the beavers have been busy constructing another lodge. Talk about suburban sprawl.


Why two so close together when they have a whole lake to choose their site. Mother-in-law apartment, maybe?



Anyway, while beavers are known to be hard workers (I still can't figure out how they haul mud up the sides of those lodges to cement everything in place), they aren't known to be the quietest of neighbors.


To wit:



They make so much ado about nothing.... like a little blue kayak moseying their way.

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They should take a lesson from their more shy, quiet neighbors.

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A Norfolk pine, you think?



A whole forest of Norfolk pines?


Nope, swamp vegetation.

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Mom's making sure the little ones stay on the far side.

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You know it's been a wet summer when the Yellowlegs sandpiper, a marsh dweller, starts hanging out in your driveway.

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Fireweed's blooming. Local lore has it that when it blooms all the way to the top, or "tops out," winter is six weeks away. This means I can almost see winter from my porch.

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Sigh. Combine one chunk of nectarine with one seed cup and one parrot, and this is why parrots need napkins.

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While we're combining things, mix Tern Lake, one common loon, and the 10 PM light after the storm and you have this:

Oh. Is it raining?

One of the first things you learn when you come to Alaska is that if you want to do something, then just do it. If you postpone and lollygag and procrastinate waiting for the right weather, you aren't ever going to get around to doing what it is you want to do.

Take today, for instance. Here are some things I saw while delivering mail:

RUNNING AFTER RUNNING FISH:

Trucks and SUVs pulling boat trailers were everywhere. Traffic was awful. Fishing fever has hit the Kenai Peninsula. The salmon are running and everyone's running after them. Some had rather unique ways of hauling their boats.



This is a piece of the wonderful boat launch area in Cooper Landing. I was crossing the Kenai River bridge with traffic coming and going when I took this shot. You can see the "kids don't float" PFDs hanging below. But, what a location!




Who cares if it's raining? The fish are in!



Yeah, who cares if it's raining?





DRESSING FOR IT:

Well, at least the saddles have rain coats.



Ah, well, I reckon the riders do also. Aussie dusters all the way around.



SIZE DOES TOO MATTER:

When you're part English Mastiff, Rottweiler, and Chespeake Retriever your toys should be in proportion, not one of those wimpy green tennis balls..



THESE FEET ARE MADE FOR WALKING:

And for strolling with someone who loves you.





SUMMER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION:

So if fishing, horseback riding, and the like in the rain aren't your cup of tea, how about a mug of beer drawn from one of the 18 kegs expected to be emptied this weekend?



Maybe acccompanied by a luscious pulled pork BBQ sandwich with hot baked dinosaur beans and sole slaw?



And some cool bluegrass music.




Then visit the bake sale table for dessert.



You could listen to the kids' moose calling contest....




Check out the raffle items, including this gorgeous handmade knife by one of our local craftsman, Virgil of IRBI knives...



Or this totally awesome bowl by local bronze artist Shawn...



The bottom side of the bowl...




Or, here's just one of the items to be auctioned off... OH! MY! GAWD! Five hundred million gazillion!!!





Wander through the concession booths and find treasures like these leather and fur booties....



or these funny hats....


But don't forget your souvenir tee shirt. The annual Moose Pass Solstice Festival raises funds for our community club, and pays the utility bills for the club, volunteer fire department, and library, as well as funding various projects around town.





However, with all these rainy day activities going full blast, I think a black and white loon at Tern Lake had the very best idea of what to do on a foggy, rainy day..... (Yawn. Oh, excuse me.) ...and I think I'll follow its lead...