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).
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.
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
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!
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.
Last year I took my GoPro to Tutka Bay and got some underwater video of an octopus that had a den in the intertidal zone. I also used the GoPro for a timelapse of one of the tide changes. This year, I’ll be borrowing an OpenROV (remotely operated vehicle) with a camera to explore more of the underwater flora, fauna, and geology of the Tutka Bay Lodge area.
