Category Archives: Alaska

The Transformation of the Widgeon II

“Widgeon” Acrylic and Ink on paper Artist Karly Goodwin

One of my favorite things about working at Tutka Bay Lodge this past summer was living on the Widgeon II. This unique boat has an amazing history. We have a scrapbook kept on the Widgeon for guests to see the process of the transformation from ocean vessel used to transport troops, tender herring, and capture crabs. I hope this online version gives more people the opportunity to enjoy this part of the story!

Of course, these photos don’t show the updates that Kirsten and Carl Dixon (and the team at Within the Wild Adventure Lodges) did after acquiring the Widgeon from Keith Iverson! They did a lot of work to take it to the next level: The Cooking School at Tutka Bay! Stay tuned for more stories and photos of this amazing vessel!

The Transformation of the Widgeon II from ktraphagen

Brown Bear viewing at Cape Douglas (Alaska)

Quick video compilation of some bear viewing scenes. This is at Cape Douglas in Katmai National Park (Alaska). My time is taken up with guiding and other responsibilities, so the edited version will have to wait until I return to NC, but I wanted to share at least this for now! Don’t forget to keep checking the Stay Curious Facebook page for photos and quick updates (you don’t have to join Facebook to view the public page).

Hooded Nudibranch Dance

This quick clip is from 2014, but I wanted to post it here so that folks can find it easily! It was super fun to find this Hooded Nudibranch (Melibe leonina) in the eel grass around MacDonald Spit in Kasitsna Bay, Alaska.

Quick Glimpses

Just a reminder to be checking the Stay Curious Facebook page. I have limited time to post to the blog during the summer months while guiding and working at Tutka Bay Lodge, but I’m working hard to post photos and quick notes on the Facebook page. You don’t need to have a personal Facebook account in order to view the public Stay Curious page. Here’s a glimpse of some of the things I’ve been posting about.

Up Close and Personal with a Sea Star

I absolutely love the detail, color, and texture of this sea star (Orthasterias koehleri). We found this specimen during low tide today in Tutka Bay, Alaska.

Low tide treasures

Today we had a nice low tide and went out to a different area of our coast to explore the intertidal zone. Look what we found!

This is a hairy triton (Fusitriton oregonensis). We saw a few today, but THIS one is brooding its eggs! So cool.

Then we found a frilled dogwinkle (Nucella lamellosa), which we had never seen before!

We also found this little six-armed sea star clutching a piece of mussel shell with a bunch of small eggs on it.

Everything is Awesome

Just re-posting these photos from my Stay Curious Facebook page because they show how awesome every moment of every day looks. Rain, shine, wind, work, hiking, kayaking, cleaning, painting, serving, talking, foraging, whatever… it’s all good. So thankful to be here. #AlaskaGuideLife

Stay Curious on Facebook

I’ve been busy working at Tutka Bay Lodge (and loving every moment and every task). This week we had the King of Norway visit, spent time kayaking, watched the forest unfold into spring as we hiked, created and led a junior naturalist treasure hunt, and much more. The best place to see photos, get quick updates, and follow my adventure is on my Facebook Stay Curious page. I’m taking lots of photos and copious notes in my field journal, so hopefully later I will be able to write more detailed blog posts.

Trailside views

At Tutka Bay Lodge we have several trail loops that are adjacent to the property. We hike these loops daily (sometimes more than once in a day). I love seeing the difference a day can make. Or a rainfall.

We have a temperate rain forest here on the coast. Yes, you heard that right–rain forest and Alaska. The key being a “temperate” rain forest (receiving between 60 and 200 inches of rain a year from the Pacific ocean). This is the most northern extent of this type of forest. Further to our north is the boreal forest.

We’re still seeing Spring unfurl. I can’t wait to start seeing the wildflowers burst open! Here’s a few glimpses of what I saw today. Be sure to check out (and “like”) my Stay Curious Facebook page, where I post some quick pics whenever I can!

Juvenile Octopus

Look what we found at Within the Wilderness Adventures‘ Tutka Bay Lodge during super low tide (-4.7) today! A tiny octopus. We had a great time watching it swim, change color and respond to our observations! It was about 8 cm from tip to tip of tentacle when it was fully extended. We carefully released it back into the ocean after we were able to get a closer look at it! So special.

This photo shows a little of the scale of the octopus.