Eagle and Otter

Ventured out, after the snow had stopped falling. Everything is covered in white, very beautiful. Ran some errands, as my sister is departing in a couple of days. I will be house and dog sitting for the next two months. 

After lunch we drove out to the Spit in search of otters. Found this cute guy floating in the harbor.

This, juvenile bald eagle flew overhead so I captured a couple of quick shot.

 

Easter Sunday

 Easter Sunday we got up and hung around the house for a while as we were going to meet a friend for  Easter brunch at the Charthouse Restaurant at Lands End Resort. This is at the end of the Homer Spit. We were greeted by an 8 foot tall Easter bunny, and led to our table. We had chatted for a while and got up to go fill our first plate full of food.

Stuffed myself with prawns, bacon, and prime rib amount other items. My sister and I went to get prime rib as they were just bringing a fresh one out, so we were both able to request end slices.

We rolled out after having stuffed ourselves. We waddled to the car and went in search of moose. We came across a couple but they were sticking their butts at us, so I didn’t get any pictures. 

We drove around for awhile and then went back to the house and flopped into a couple of comfy chairs to digest our meal.

Traveling to Alaska

I left my headed home in Cerrillos and to Albuquerque.

I stayed at the Days Inn for the night. It was clean though it need some touching up. The bed, rather than a boxspring, was set on metal bars. Seems like it was a portion of a fence. Every time I moved or got up it made a metal sound, like a vibration and clanging. Not the most inviting bed to sleep on.

I check for a local restaurant and found a Fuddruckers close by. I walked over and a party of four entered just before me. They missed the entrance to the line, when the counterperson came out I told her that they were ahead of me and to take their order. They insisted that I go first, since I was alone. After placing my order one of the men in the group told the counterperson to put my order on their tab. I told them that it was very kind but not necessary, but he insisted. I thanked them and he just asked that I pay it forward, which I will do.

The following morning I took the shuttle to the airport for my first flight. There is construction going on but it did not impact the checkin or TSA process. I boarded my flight, which had the tiniest seats I have ever sat in on a plane, it was very uncomfortable. It was a nice flight we arrived in Los Angeles ahead of schedule, which made my four hour layover longer. We were transferred to a shuttle bus to the main terminal and then it was a hike from T-4 to T-6. Needless to say I had plenty of time.

Left LA on time and picked up some time on the way to Seattle. The seats were more comfortable on this flight. I was able to take a couple of photos of the mountains we passed.

Mt. Hood Oregon

Mt. St. Helen Washington

We arrived on time my connection flight was at a gate close by. I boarded the flight and was fortunate that there was no one in the middle seat. We were late leaving and arrived an hour later than scheduled. 

Flying over Chugach State Park on the way to Anchorage.

My, sister’s friend, picked me up and I spent the night with them. They made some salmon and vegetables for dinner. We chatted for a while and then went to bed.

In the morning they took me back to the airport and I took the last leg of my flight, destination Homer.

This was my seat mate on the final flight.

We landed in the pouring rain. My sister was there to meet me.

After we checked out a cabinet, the new owners of the toy store want to buy. We are going back next week to pick it up and deliver it to the store.

Two Sister’s Bakery was open and I had to have some chocolate bread. So good.

The rest of the day I rested.

Day 1

 I am currently at the Albuquerque Days Inn, I’ll be here overnight. In the morning, I’ll catch a 7AM flight which will take me to Los Angeles. I have about a four hour layover and then I fly up to Seattle and then from Seattle I’ll catch a connection up to anchorage. Saturday,

These are a few recent sunrise and sunset photos from my house in New Mexico and in a few days you will start seeing some photos from Alaska
 

I will leave Anchorage, and fly into Homer.

Alaska Bound

These are a few photos from February.

I am in the process of preparing for a two month stay in Homer. I will be leaving at the end of the month.

Hoping to see the bird migration and will be there for the Shorebird Festival.

The animals will be coming out of hibernation and giving birth.

Looking forward to some great photo opportunities.

Merlin caught a Dove

Sunday, January 21st, I was sitting working on my computer when there was a loud boom. Then a thud as a dove hit the wall and window. I glanced at the window, I saw a brown and grey flash. I grabbed my phone and went to the window. On the ground was a Merlin gripping a dove in its talons. He saw me and proceeded to move away from the window. The dove was too heavy for it to fly with, so it started to feast.

This video is of it starting to feast.

https://youtube.com/shorts/x_a0ybjN9Wo?si=rvKfFSfADspFpI2u

I carefully went to get my Nikon with a 200-500mm lens and took some still shots.

He saw me move a bit and went on alert

Eating a leg

Getting it down in weight so it can take off

Taking the remains home

A New Year 2024

My last photo of the year.

The fan on the ceiling at Nick’s house on New Year’s Eve.

 My friend’s, Sakura and Will, came back from Hawaii and contacted me. We drove into town and had a nice meal before heading to Nick’s house for an impromptu jam session. Nick has a multitude of various instruments, we went through most of them. It was a good way to ring in the New Year.

Sunrise on the 3rd of January

Snowing at dawn on the 4th of January

Nice snow storm, another one is headed this way on Sunday. Charging up all the batteries and filling the water tank. I have my John Deere running with the snow plow attached, so I am ready.