Moose in the Backyard

 I was standing at the kitchen window, it was early and overcast, so the lighting wasn't great. Having just gotten out of bed and fed the dogs, I was starting to get my vision into focus. Looking up I spied a moose just outside the dogs fenced yard. The dogs were in an after meal coma, sprawled across various dog beds and other pieces of furniture. As I grabbed my camera and iPhone, the dogs sensing something was up, jumped up from their repose and headed out the dog door. I went out and got a few pictures and a short video. Unfortunately, the moose was by the old TV Dish, so I was unable to get a good picture of it. This is what I was able to get.

I drove into Homer, stopped at the store for a few snacks to munch while at work. Filled the truck with gas and went to Bishops Beach, to see if I could see any Sandhill Cranes. There have been postings of sighting, I am hoping to see some. Many of them winter in New Mexico, where I live, so it would be nice to see them at the end of their journey. The Homer shorebird Festival is in a couple of weeks, which welcomes back the migratory birds.

As I drove into the driveway there was a moose in front of me, he casually walked down and then into the woods at the end. Wasn't able to get a picture or record it. It was raining and I couldn't get the iPhone to focus past the windshield.

 I was at the store, so I am posting some more of yesterday's pictures.

This is a shot of the Golden Eagle just before being photobombed by the Bald Eagle.

Golden Eagle
Homer Spit Harbor

This photo is a view from Anchor Point across Kachemak Bay on a partly cloudy day.

View across Kachemak Bay
Anchor Point, Alaska

Made a few sales at the store, I saw that Ken had sold another of my maze books over the weekend. Only one copy left of the six I brought with me.

Came home and had leftovers, then started cooking tomorrow night's dinner. Yes, I prepare in advance, especially, if I am arriving home at the hour I prefer to eat, not, start cooking. Now, I am smelling, the almost done, baked chicken wings. Timer went off.

Fresh out of the oven, I may have to eat one tonight.

Eagles Feeding

I went for a drive on the Sterling Highway, some very beautiful scenery along the way. 

Kachemak Bay
Homer Overlook
Sterling Highway

These are a few shots of a couple of Seagulls chasing off a Golden Eagle.

Saw a bunch of Eagles gathering and followed them, I was rewarded with a bunch of eagles feeding on an otter. 

Eagles feeding on an Otter
Homer Spit Harbor
Alaska

There are more pictures here: ALASKA PORTFOLIO

Around Homer

I was working in the store for a few days, not much exciting happened.

Saturday, I took a drive into the hills and found a great view of the Homer Spit.

I drove out to the Spit to see what was happening at the King Salmon Festival. Loads of cars, not many shops or restaurants are open yet. I was looking forward to a nice seafood lunch, didn't happen. 

I wandered around looking for some activity to photograph, but not much was happening. I did have a seagull that flew straight at me. Too close to get a shot, although, I was in great range for the poop that it let out at the perfect time to get my hat, jacket and camera bag.

I came home and rested a bit before going out to find dinner. I had fish and chips at Alice's Champagne, Laura, my waitress was very nice. When she brought my order she told me the cook said one of the pieces was too small and that he was fixing me another piece. It was served nice and hot, just as I was finishing the last piece on my plate. Good meal, nice service, good social distancing and masks in use.

After dinner I headed toward the water to see what was there. I decided to avoid the Spit, due to the traffic as the fishermen were returning. I had just turned onto Kachemak Bay Road when I spied some crows chasing a bird of prey. I pulled to the side of the road, grabbed my camera and started shooting. The crows took off in one direction and this, Short-eared Owl, headed for the trees behind me.

It is starting to warm up and the snow is melting.

Below is a picture of the Homer Spit and one of the pictures of the Owl. there are more pictures in the:

ALASKA PORTFOLIO

 

Homer Spit
Kachemak Bay
Homer Alaska

Short-eared Owl
Kachemak Bay
Homer Alaska

While wandering around I did find that Santa has come to the King Salmon Festival. I believe he was out fishing at the time.

Just for fun a picture of Lola and her tongue.

Golden Eagle Attack

Awoke to snow falling adding a layer to the melting base layer. The snow had been rapidly melting, though they forecasting more snow, it is getting warmer and it is melting away. Soon it will be a muddy mess around here.

I spent the day at the store, it was soooooo slooooowwww, hard to stay awake. I did have an unexpected passerby just after I got to the store.

A Moose wandered by across the street. I just happened to glance up and see it.

When I was at the, Spit, the other day I captured a sequence of shots of a Golden Eagle attempting to get some dinner. 

The intended prey.

Swooping in to pluck dinner from the bay.

Where did they go?

They're back, is he gone?

After missing his intended dinner, he lands on the rocks to regroup.

 

Kachemak Bay

Drove around Homer today looking for wildlife, on the way to the Spit, I saw a Moose. I turned the truck around and went back to take a few shots. He was still there when I got back, so I drove past and got my camera all set, hopped out of the truck, quietly. Slowly, I walked back to the stand of trees where I had seen him, this has taken only about 15 seconds, he is gone, nowhere to be seen. Searched for about five minutes, no moose.

I continued out to the Spit, seeking more spots to observe the wildlife and scenery with different view points. 

These are a couple of the shots I took, there are more in the portfolio. I, also, took some bird pictures that I am still working on. I will post them later.

ALASKA PORTFOLIO

Scenic Overlook on the road into Homer Alaska.

A View for the Homer Spit 
Kaia, heads out of the harbor for some fishing

Bald Eagles at the Spit

 I left the house and headed to the Homer Spit, in search of Eagles. I had a little time before having to open the store. There is a driftwood log that I have been driving by since I arrived. I look at it each time looking to capture a picture of it. Today, when I got out there, there was a Bald Eagle perched on the log.

I got out of the truck and slowly approached it so as not to scare it off. I was able to capture a number of shots of it.

As I was headed back to the truck another Eagle soared overhead. It was a good day.

I ran into a fellow photographer and had a quick chat about the birds that are in the area and where to spot them.

I then headed to the store for the day. Had a couple of good sales, early, then it died. Of course the weather played a factor, as it rained and snowed, off and on throughout the afternoon.

Ordered some Thai food for dinner, which was good. The dogs were glad to see me, more likely they were glad to be fed. 

Later I worked on the pictures and watched a movie.

ALASKA PORTFOLIO

Bald Eagle Landing on Driftwood
Homer Spit
Homer, Alaska

Bald Eagle Screeching on Driftwood
Homer Spit
Homer, Alaska