July and August in Review

A salut et merci to the Far North

Here we are, at the end of our time at Toolik Field Station, back in the relative comforts of Fairbanks. Again, we have fallen into the soft, yet firm, arms of friends. We have a few days to have a beer or two, to talk life and to walk amongst the trees. Our time in Alaska, for this year, comes to an end, and it has been everything one could have wanted and more. We have added 26 species to our year count, including a few more challenging finds like the Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica), Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe)(“wheatear” derived from the Old Norse meaning “white ass” because of the bird’s flash on the rump), and Eastern Yellow Wagtails (Motacilla tschutschensis). Many birds; many flowers; many landscapes; many friends. Flying south, we leave having seen 508 species of birds. Here comes a light recap of the past two months…

Big fat belly. Arctic Ground Squirrel (Urocitellus parryii) ((Inuktitut: ᓯᒃᓯᒃ, siksik) preparing for long winter, Toolik Field Station.

Toolik housing with one example of the grandeur of arctic sky.

Early July, Norris Geyser Basin, Yellowstone NP

Orange Agoseris (Agoseris aurantiaca), Idaho.

Mountain Cottontail (Sylvilagus nuttallii), Idaho.

Giving grass to Muskox at the Large Animal Research Station, University of Alaska, Fairbanks.

Wild Muskox (Ovibos moschatus), in Inuktitut: ᐅᒥᖕᒪᒃ, umingmak, North Slope, AK.

Sun pushing through clouds, Trevor Creek, AK.

Arctic Tumbleweed (Masonhalea richardsonii), a type of lichen not attached to any substrate, will dry and tumble with the winds.

Moss Campion (Silene acaulis), one of my favorite arctic plants.

The Ferry’s Princess Cake (Cakeus ferryensis toolikii), made for Swedish Meatball night, Toolik Field Station.

Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus), sailing the arctic skies.

Sunshine over the autumn-tinged Bearberry (Arctuous alpina) leaves.