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.