Moose and more- September

 How silly. Once again, blogspot has posted the photos BACKWARDS from how they were supposed to be. So, the first photos are really the last ones. 

Physical distancing bull and cow! A couple of teen girls on an ATV scared them off the road as they blew down the easement in a cloud of dust and laughter. 

I was so glad to see a bull with tattered velvet. They look incredibly regal as their antlers are being prepared for beauty. 

The little boat, all alone on the water. 

I stopped at the look out point just outside of Nikiski proper (just before Miller Loop S) and enjoyed the amazing sunset on September 12, 

One of the moose who wandered by on the 12th after everyone left. The calf was with its mom, but they moved fast and I was absolutely unprepared to take pictures of anything! But, that is how animals are. 

Catch Up- August

Was rather startled by these moose. I was reading outside and heard something in the woods and spied this one. 

The bugs over their bodies was rather gicky!!! 

Then, I noticed there was a mom with twins! At least, I am pretty sure there were only two. 

This one looks like a young bull. 

Later, I went out on the lake and revisited my favorite tree spirit who was still standing. 

There were so many reflections in the still waters. Still waters that restore the soul. 

Near the end of August, I was able to visit a friend who lives on a side of the inlet I rarely visit. I love how this Mountain can be seen from everywhere! 

Back out north for more sunsets. These are from different evenings. 

The house in Nikiski with a smidge of the garage and a glimpse of the shed. 

These were unknown ashes. The gold ring inside made me certain they were not dad's or the cat's. I figured they could be scattered near Arness Dock anyway. It is a good place to hang out, dead or alive! 

These two young men helped load up furniture to take to Janet's. Of course, it happened to be one of the first days of serious rain in weeks!!! I was entirely grateful for their help. 

 

Snipe!!!

This bird exists, is unusual, and incredibly camouflaged for being popular as a previously hunted game bird. Today, it is hunted as part of a game. Many people don't realise this bird is real. During Boy Scouts, Tony tried to convince one of his scouting friends it was. It didn't matter, the younger woodsy soul insisted on taking new scouts out for jaunts in the Tillamook forest seeking a made up creature. On the All About Birds site I learned some very cool things about these little guys. Not only are their eyes set so far back they can almost see in back of their head, they have amazing long bills which have flexible tips. I spent a very long time up here in Alaska hearing an odd noise during night hours I could not identify. Finally, one spring morning, I discovered the noise in flight during daylight and after more detective work, discovered what it was. It was the snipe making a winnowing noise with the tail. Odd, but true! I wasn't sure I'd get to see one up close, they are fast little guys!! However, I did!

One afternoon, in late August, I went to look at the lake after getting back from town. No reason, I just did. I spied a really odd looking bird on shore and grabbed my camera. I took dozens of photos of this not a piper, quietly sneaking down the bank. I even snapped photos while it was bathing! Unfortunately, I think I got too close. It hopped up on the pallet, over the other side, and vanished. I was incredibly thankful to see it for as long as I did. I grabbed my bird app and book and was surprised. I was accidentally on a real snipe hunt with a lens and camera chip. I hope you enjoy looking at this fun small brown streaked bird with the super long bill and fairly long legs  known as a Wilson's Snipe.

It is always a thrill for me to discover an identity of a bird. Even more so when it is one I've wondered about and wanted to see for years! I'd probably have good luck actually going out where they tend to hang, but I think I am doing ok here in North Kenai at the house. 

And then there were two!

Monday morning I looked out the dining room window and saw a moose. 

I took his photo through the  window and then thought if I was super quiet, I could step outside. Well, the sound of the door didn't startle him that much and I proceeded to take several pictures of the big guy. 

 Suddenly, we both heard splashing in the lake. There was another moose, but as you can see we were not sure which one it was. Or maybe HE knew, but he wasn't going to tell me.

 I loved the look on his face!!

 I wasn't sure what he was planning on doing, so continued to take his picture.

 After a bit, he appeared to leave. So, I went back inside. BUT, I was wrong and dashed back out again!

 He was going to get a drink. I reckon he wanted to see who or what else was going one down there.

 It was the younger bull! I was super careful as I tiptoed on the very dry ground to snap photos. Although, at one point I gave them a talking to because they were right next to the kayak!!! There is one under the trees on the right, he was the one I was most worried about!

 The biggest one wasn't impressed with my bossy mom attitude. .

 After their drink, they both hiked up the hill. I moved much faster since they were in high brush and I was skirting the house! In the photo below, you can see both dark shapes. The older one seemed to prefer the area I'd mowed days before..

 I also gave them a bit of a discussion when they got close to mom's lilac. They left it alone.

They two crossed the drive, leaving hoof prints, topped fireweed, a few dropped flowers, and the sound of bells from mom's garden area. I took over 100 photos of these two beauties. I hope they come back!

After a while, I went down to check on the kayak. I was pretty sure they'd not stepped on anything, but I just wanted to look! They topped the flowers around the bench, but as far as I could see, the kayak was ok. I'll make positive later in the week.