Purpose for my blog:

I'VE ALWAYS BEEN AN EXPLORER IN MANY WAYS! I LOVE NATURE, MEETING NEW PEOPLE, SEEING NEW PLACES, AND
CAN'T THINK OF BETTER WAY TO ILLUSTRATE AND DOCUMENT MY EXPLORATION!


CLICK ANY PHOTO TO ENLARGE!

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Lately in Yakutat



Still doing well here in Yakutat. I worked 43 out of the first 47 days, either with the NPS or out fishing. I must admit it was starting to wear me down, but I've had some time off lately to catch up on my rest and also get out and do a little exploring. I was out in a Kayak for the entire day yesterday and it was amazing. I saw Killer Whales for the first time and discovered an awesome new viewpoint up on a bluff overlooking the ocean. Sometimes I think it's all just too much to take in on my own. You just want someone else to see it, but it's often just me. I've experienced so many things on my own and I'm pretty used to it, but sometimes I do think it would be nice to have someone to share it all with. These moments are priceless, and quite often once in a lifetime!




Now I see why they call them "Surf" Scoters

First time I've ever seen an Orca in the wild! It was a great day!




















Harbor Porpoise vertebrate






Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Back in Yakutat

Well, I'm finally settled back into work here in Yakutat. It's been a while since I've had a chance to catch up on everything with the blog, but I should be able to do a better job now. I had a great winter, spending some time at home and also down in S. America for the first time.


Obviously, I decided that another season as a ranger in Alaska would serve me well, and I'm planning to make the most of it. The wildlife and landscapes here are almost unmatched anywhere else I've been in the world, so I'll be taking advantage of that for the next 5 months. I'll be here working/exploring through the end of September.


Upon arriving in Alaska, I spent about 11 days in Glacier Bay NP/P before coming to Yakutat on May 1. They include me in their interpretive training because we have a much smaller staff in Yakutat. The rangers there are quite impressive to say the least, and I benefit greatly by working with them. I've made some good friends there and the small community of Gustavus is awesome! They have almost 20 interpretive rangers, with an extremely organized and developed program. Here, we are supposed to have 2, but number 2 didn't quite work out this year, so I'm holding it down.
So far I've been extremely busy working, then working/fishing on my days "off." The fishing is not really like work to me though. I've been out longlining for Halibut with a friend who's a commercial fisherman and worked out a pretty sweet deal to finally get some fish sent home to the Carolinas. Instead of paying me for the work I do, he'll be letting me join in on some charters for free. That allows me to catch my fish at no cost.


Here are some photos from the past few weeks around Yakutat. The weather has been nice lately and since the sun doesn't set until around 10pm, it's been hard for me to get good rest. I get home around 11 in the evenings, still having had no dinner, and back to work early. I guess I'll just sleep when I'm dead!

How could you possibly sit in the house during sunsets like these anyways??






My friend Vince let me use this scooter for the summer. I ride a bike most of the time, but this is perfect when i need to make some time! Picture me rollin! lol!










Cannon Beach, shipwreck, and a full moon.


My favorite




Sunday, May 1, 2011

Argentina

First of all I have to give thanks to my great friend Lili here on the left. I met her in New Zealand about 3 years ago. She is Argentinian, so when I planned a trip there, of course I had to visit! It was nice to begin my trip with her, especially when my Spanish was not too good. I was treated like part of the family! Her friend Carolina was awesome too!
:-)


This is one of my favorite pictures from Argentina! I've been quite a few places, but never seen anything quit like this! I love it!


Soon after hitting the road I arrived in Punta Tumbo. I've never seen Penguinos like this in my life either. Once in New Zealand, but there were only a few. Here, there were thousands.


PengZILLA