The Willow Ptarmigan is an Arctic grouse and is the state bird of Alaska. This male is in transition from his white winter plumage to mottled brown summer feathers. His wings remain white year round.
Tags: AK Alaska Animal Bird Nome Ptarmigan Spring USA Willow Ptarmigan male wild wildlife © Alice Cahill
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For me seeing the Red-throated Loons in full breeding plumage was a highlight of our Alaska trip. Early one morning while we were in Nome, Don and I took a walk out to the edge of the Bering Sea. To our delight a number of Loons were pair dancing on the water. We only saw this behavior on one morning. I count myself very lucky to have seen it.
Tags: AK Alaska Animal Bird Gavia stellata Loon Nome Red-throated Loon USA breeding plumage dancing pair two wild wildlife © Alice Cahill
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We found this Short-eared Owl working the grassy fields near Nome. It was very diffucult to get a clear shot of him without the grass obscuring parts of his body and face. At one point he flew over and landed at the edge of the dirt road. He was in the clear! Then he took off flying toward us. Oh, joy! The blur of the road behind him sets him off perfectly.
Tags: AK Alaska Animal Asio flammeus Bird Nome Short-eared Owl USA flying owl wild wildlife © Alice Cahill
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Before this owl took off flying toward me he perched at the edge of the road for a few moments. He has such beatutiful markings.
Tags: AK Alaska Animal Asio flammeus Bird Nome Short-eared Owl USA owl wild wildlife © Alice Cahill
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On our bus trip through Denali on our way to our lodging at North Face Lodge, we came across this female Moose. When we first spotted her she was making her way down a hillside going toward one of the kettle ponds. The bus stopped at the edge of the road and we all watched - mesmerized by this magnificent animal. She did not seem at all disturbed by our presence and proceded to swim across the pond. At the far side she stood and looked around. Then she made her way up the hill and out of sight. Wow!!!
Tags: AK Alaska Animal Denali Denali National Park Mammal Reflection USA female kettle pond moose pond ungulate wild wildlife © Alice Cahill
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