Day Old Babies

Awoke to the babies and mom out on the side of the house. We watched them for awhile and then straightened a few things around the house. We then went to the farmer's market and looked around, we neglected to bring a cooler so we only bought a couple of pastries to eat. We will go back next week with a cooler.

We then played, tourist, and went for a walk through all of the shops on the Spit. I purchased an Ulu Knife and a few other items to take back. Lisa found some Christmas gifts for some of her friends. We stopped at the Sweet Shop and split some fresh donuts. I had been there last week and met the owner, who's husband had just purchased a gift for Lisa's toy store. Today, Lisa got to meet her, nice to get to know the other store owners. We had planned to eat at the Spit, but we were stuffed with donuts. We went to, Salmon Sisters, and bought a salmon filet for dinner, as well as a few other items to snack on.

Then on to the nursery to purchase a few plants for some hanging baskets.

We then came home to watch the moose in the yard.

Mom and her babies

Two Babies

More Photography:

Alaska Portfolio

Much has transpired

Friday and I haven't posted for awhile.

My sister returned from her trip on Monday, she is very happy to be home. I worked the store on Monday and Tuesday so she could get some rest and spend time with her dogs. She then worked, Wednesday through Friday, catching up on all the work that she needed to get done. I helped her with some new inventory that came on Thursday, after hours.

We went, Two Sisters Bakery, on Tuesday and bought a couple of chocolate bread for breakfast. I am going to miss those when I go home in a couple of weeks.

On Wednesday I saw a post of a boat that had capsized in the harbor, so I took a trip down to check it out. According to the owner's nephew his uncle got caught on the wrong side of the pole, then the tide went out. I do believe that this cost him a bit of money to get it upright.
They had secured the boat and had put air bladders under it, then just have to wait for the tide to come in again. I didn't hang around, though the boat was gone the next day.

While, my sister, was working I was searching for baby moose. I kept seeing posts of babies all around Homer and could never find them.  On, Thursday, while driving on Olsen Mountain I did come across the remains of a moose.

On, Friday, I awoke and went downstairs to use the bathroom. It was still early, and the dogs are now sleeping with Lisa, so I decided to go back to bed. When I reached the top of the stairs I glanced out the window and what did I see. A newborn moose being cleaned by its mother. I ran down and yelled for Lisa to get up and come to the window, NOW. I grabbed my iPhone and started to record, it was five past 6 in the morning. I saw she had started to have more contractions, either the afterbirth or another baby. she lay on her head down and raised her leg, another baby was born.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO VIEW MORE PICTURES OF THE NEWBORNS AND THEIR MOM

SEE THEM IN MY

ALASKA PORTFOLIO

PORTRAIT OF A BABY MOOSE

DO NOT BOOK/FLY WITH DELTA AIRLINES

A follow up to my previous post, I received an e-mail today stating that they have rebooked my friend's flight and they have again switched the state that he is traveling to. Called to get it changed, no option to have them call back and told it will be a six+ hour wait on the phone. Hung up. @Delta #Delta #DoNotFlyDelta

Flower Moon

I had been scouting out places to shoot the rising Flower Moon. I decided to go back to the Eveline State Recreation Site, I was hoping to catch the sun rising over the Portlock Glacier, the angle was just a tad off to the left of the glacier. I was able to get a few good pictures of the rising moon and later the eclipse.

This is the sunset from the Eveline Recreation Site.

Flower Moon rising over the Kenai Peninsula

Total Eclipse of the Moon

More Alaskan photography: ALASKA PORTFOLIO

Glaciers and More

Never got my cinnamon roll, though I did go back out.

What I did get was huge headache courtesy of Delta Airlines. You may know that I flew a friend out from Rhode Island to housesit for me while I am in Alaska. Yesterday, I receive an e-mail stating that the flight schedule had changed and they had rebooked his return flight, not unusual. I looked at the rebooked flight and found they had change the destination from Providence Rhode Island to Boston Massachusetts, WTF. So, I called, put on hold, was informed the wait would be about 2 hours. After three hours the phone disconnected, called back and hold for another three hours, and disconnected. By this time I am going to bed.
In the morning, first thing I call again. This time they give me the option to have them call me back, where was this option yesterday.
That was at 5:23am, I received a call back at 10am. I told them I needed for them to rebook the second flight from Atlanta to Providence, rather than Boston.
The flight from Albuquerque leaves at 6am and arrives at about 11 in Atlanta. The flight to Providence, has changed and now leaves at 6:57pm. This turns out to being considered a layover, rather than a connection, so it would be turned into two one way tickets , at a higher price. The alternative is to take a 5:51am flight to Salt Lake City with a plane change to Atlanta and then catch the same 6:57pm connection to Providence. Of course this makes no sense, except to the airlines. I worked for TWA for almost ten years and know how to rebook it and make it work, but I wasn't about to get into it with her as I figured the flights will change again before the trip. By that time I will be back in New Mexico and can talk with an agent or supervisor at the airport.

Okay, done with the ranting.

I took a drive to the, Eveline State Recreation Site, to hike around and, hopefully, see some wildlife. Maybe, some bears with cubs, or moose and their babies. 
I had been left a first aid kit and some bear spray for hiking. When I was at the trailhead I prepared myself with my camera equipment and the bear spray. I read the directions and discovered that the zip ties had not been removed and I had nothing with me to remove them with. I figured the best I could do, if I encountered a bear, was to shove it in his/her mouth using my left hand, I am right handed and need it to draw, and hope the bear would bite the canister and have it explode in its mouth. I would most likely be mauled to death, but there would be some picture of it as my camera was in my right hand.
I am here typing with both hands intact, no wildlife except for a few small birds flitting around.

I did get some picture of both the, Dixon and Portlock Glaciers.

Dixon Glacier 

Portlock Glacier

I then drove out to the Spit, as it was an almost perfect day, no clouds, lots of sun and no wind, unfortunately, that also washed out all the color, except blue and white. 

M/V Kennicott
Leaving the Homer Harbor

Kachemak Voyager
The ferry to Seldovia

As I was driving through Homer I came across a Vintage Car Show and captured a picture of a souped up Chevy.

Picture of my trip in Alaska:

ALASKA PORTFOLIO

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Morning in Homer

Sunrise in Fitz Creek Alaska

Moose grazing in the backyard
Fitz Creek, Alaska

 

Went out early this morning looking for wildlife.

Took this dawn photo at the Homer Spit.

I was working at the store for a few days, then came home to watch the Warriors get eliminated from the playoffs. It has been raining on and off for the past few days, hoping to see some sun a little later today. Plan on going out to check out some more store around town.

I had planned to try a cinnamon roll, cinnamon roll Saturday in Homer, unfortunately, I went to get some cash and discovered my wallet was left at the house. I came home and made some breakfast, when I go out later I will attempt to get one for a snack.

Out and About Around Homer

I have been out and about the last few days, visiting the galleries and various stores in Homer.

There were a gaggle of geese at the wetlands, I waited for them to take off, after circling around Kachemak Bay, they came back and landed.

Now that Beluga Lake has thawed the Seaplanes have started their flights for the season.

Homer Harbor at the spit on a clear day.

The, Time Bandit, has moved from its mooring and looks like it may be preparing to depart.

Hiking the Calvin and Coyle Trail I came across these fungi growing out of a downed tree.

The weather the past two days has been gorgeous, sunny and warm.

ALASKA PORTFOLIO

Bishop's Beach

Canada Geese on the move.

Canada Geese

Landing at wetlands at Bishop's Beach

Seaplane taking off from the Beluga Lake

Heart of the Homer Harbor

(iPhone12ProMax)

Time Bandit

at the Homer Harbor.

Calvin and Coyle Trail

fungus on a tree

 

Rainy Day

 Chocolate Bread from Two Sisters Bakery in Homer Alaska. Take a bite and the chocolate oozes out.

So Good!

Went out to the Spit, not much was going on. I stopped at BlackJaxx Food Truck for some BBQ. I ordered some Ribs and Sausage, which came with two sides and a roll. That turned out to be enough for dinner last night and lunch today. I requested the hot BBQ sauce, sweet with a bit of heat very good.

Was hoping to take a road trip today, but put it off due to rain and fog. People drive crazy around here. I will attempt it again tomorrow.

Sandhill Cranes

I have been at the store working the last few days. Heading into the store early allows me to go to, Two Sisters Bakery, yesterday for a cinnamon roll, today a chocolate bread, so good.

I walked around, Bishop's Beach, while munching on my goodies and taking pictures of the birds.

Sandhill Crane Feeding at Bishop's Beach
Homer, Alaska

Beyond that I have just been hanging out as it has been cloudy and rainy on and off. Spent a lot of time cleaning the dogs before they come into the house. Then cleaning the grass and leaves that is caught in their fur, which them ends up all over the house.

I am off again until next week, so time to drive around and see what I can find.

A Good Day Not to Die

Left the house this morning under cloudy skies. Started down East End Road toward Homer, a black car came speeding up behind me. I was doing the speed limit or a bit above, after a few turns and hills we came to a straight away with passing allowed in the opposite direction. This did not deter this idiot as he sped past doing about 90. If he hits a moose so be it, there was a porcupine killed the day before and a couple of moose in the past few weeks.
I continued on. 
The first part of the drive is through the hills with no shoulder, just a gulley on the side for the water to run off. As you get closer to Homer the road straightens, with a few curves and rises. Coming down a straight section that had a few feet of shoulder on the side before the gulley, a sedan swerved into my lane, the speed limit here is 45 mph, which I was doing. I started honking and headed to the shoulder. The car kept moving into my lane and was now completely in my lane. I had moved onto the dirt shoulder and watched the car go by inches from me. When they were beside me I guess they finally heard my horn as they passed they veered back into their lane.

I sure am glad that I had new tires put on my sister's truck, would probably would not have made it with bald tires.

Made it out to the viewing areas without any further incidents.The tide was out and there were no birds around the bay so I headed to Beluga Lake. There were quite a few moose close in and I took a few pictures that I am still working on.

I checked a few more spots and then went shopping and back to the house.

I went back out as the tide was hitting it's high mark. Drove out the Spit, again no birds.

As I surveyed the harbor I spotted a couple of Sea Otters, and they kept swimming closer.

There are more pictures in my ALASKA PORTFOLIO

Shorebird Festival

Cold, drizzly, cloudy day a low tide in the morning so not much to see.

There were some moose that were close, I am still working on those pictures.

Had some fun at the Homer Spit when I came across a guy making giant bubbles. The children that were there were having a great time.

Birdwatchers in the afternoon when the tided come in.

ALASKA PORTFOLIO

Sandhill Cranes

Went out to Beluga Lake and Bishop's Beach before going into work on Wednesday. I was able to catch a Moose fairly close up, plus, Shorebirds and Cranes. I have many more pictures, I hope to get many more this weekend during the Shorebird Festival this weekend. I have to work today and want to get back out to take some more picture this morning, so just a quick post.

Moose at Beluga Lake.

Sandhill Cranes at Bishop's Beach.

All the Alaska photos are available to view here: ALASKA PORTFOLIO

If you ever get to Homer go to, Two Sisters Bakery in Old Town, order the Chocolate Bread. You will not be disappointed, so good, oozing with chocolate. Have to stop by again this morning.

Does It Ever Get Dark Here

The night is getting closer to the morning and the morning is getting earlier. I am getting no sleep. Up at 5 this morning, at least Esther is no longer sticking her nose down my throat to wake me up. Nothing like a collie nose rammed down your throat.

Of course they decided they are hungry, jumping around doing their we are ready for food dance. Complete with sound effects that set off the decibel warning on my iWatch. Esther barks, Lola, the beagle howls like she has cornered a fox, Bea, the other collie, just waits to be served. While the first two scarf their food, Bea is very dainty and slowly eats each piece one at a time. Esther and Lola are shut in the mud room for their feeding, food dishes set on the floor quickly and your hand removed before it becomes part of the feeding frenzy. Where as, Bea is served her food, in the kitchen the rug, with a splash of water added.

Completely socked in this morning, I did take a drive to all my usual spots. I have been waiting to catch a shot of what, the Merlin Guide, identifies as a Black billed Magpie. I have seen them around almost every day, today, they put on a little show for me and I was able to get a few picture. 

I shot a couple of seagulls in formation, too.

There are more new images in the ALASKA PORTFOLIO

I am looking forward to this weekend as it is the Shorebird Festival in Homer. I am hoping the birds were notified.

Morning is Coming Early

Up at 5am, fed the dogs and let them out.

Threw my camera equipment in the truck and headed to the Spit for the sunrise. I arrived as the sun was creating the mountains across Kachemak Bay. The clouds were only allowing a small amount of light to come through.

From the Homer Spit across Kachemak Bay.

There are more pictures in the ALASKA PORTFOLIO

I went to a few spots looking for migrating birds, though I did spot two Sandhill Cranes, they were too distant to photography.

The other night when I was taking a picture of the Hook at sunset I took a selfie. I turned and saw my shadow, the camera and tripod surrounded by the Hook on the wall behind me.

Bishop's Beach

Set out for the beach this morning looking for the migrating birds, unfortunately, I didn't see any. I met up with an old family friend, whom I was recently introduced to. The tide wasn't as far out as yesterday, though we were still able to explore some tide pools. See if you can identify what is in this picture.

I did get a few shots of a gull going after fish in the tide pools.

After I went out to the Spit as the creamery was opening and I have been wanting some ice cream. I had a Mint Chip Hot Fudge Sunday for a late lunch. Burned off all those calories walking.

I visited an art store that I have been passing since I got here, always when they are closed. Many very nice pieces.

After, I headed back to the house, figured the dogs might like to get out for awhile.