Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Wildlife in Alaska


No---unfortunately, I haven't been to Alaska YET. But--one of these days, George and I will get there. However, in 2004, my eldest son, Bert, spent two years working for a small cruise line (Cruise West) in Alaska . He loved it there---and his mother was VERY jealous. I wish now that George and I had have gone when Bert was there. BUT--things just didn't work out then, so we decided to wait. Oh Well!!!!

Bert is like me when it comes to his love of being out in nature. While in Alaska, he took many fabulous pictures to share. Today, I'm going to share some of his wildlife pictures with you. I'll have to divide these into Part I and Part II. The picture above shows the seals sunning themselves on an iceberg... Look at that background. Incredible, isn't it???? More pictures are below!!!




Here are two bears, a black one and a cinnamon one.





You should hear all of those sea lions singing and squacking! Bert says that they can really make NOISE.





The deer in Alaska are different from the white-tailed deer in Tennessee.





Watch that eagle soar!!! WOW!!!





Salmon are all over the place in the streams.





I can never see enough pictures of eagles. They are so incredibly gorgeous!





"Honey, can't you do something to make it a little warmer in here?"





UPDATE: FOUR eggs now in the Bluebird nest!!!!!! If you have read my posts for the past three days, you will see a Bluebird egg picture each day. One picture showed 2 eggs in the nest. The next day there were 3, and now FOUR... Bluebirds lay an egg a day until they get to 5 or 6. Then Mama incubates the eggs for 15-18 days.. SO--if my calculations are right, on or around May 15, we'll have some new bluebird babies in the nest!!!!! They then will stay in the nest until about June 2nd---when they will leave the nest--one per day. Isn't that just 'plum' exciting??????

Hugs,

47 comments:

RA said...

Oh my goodness, this are very amazing shots! So exciting to see them all. As exciting as I am for the hatching eggs. It's always a wonderful relief to come here, Betsy. Thanks for sharing. Have a great day :). Hugs from Indonesia.

Unknown said...

Great wildlife photos!! How are you getting so close to that bird's nest...I don't want my scent anywhere near mine..I'm too dang short to see in the whole anyway....

Jayne said...

I'd love to see Alaska one day too Betsy. So much beauty to soak in. Happy, happy about your bluebird nest/eggs! :c)

Arkansas Patti said...

Me too, Me too, I want to go. What great shots he got. It is the unspoiled Alaska that holds such an appeal. I place we havn't managed to screw up -- yet. Waiting for part 2.

Beth said...

Bert's pictures are amazing, Betsy! I should think that working for an Alaskan cruise line would be quite a wonderful job. I hope to visit Alaska someday, too.

Love the bluebird egg updates!

Peggy said...

William lived in Alaska for 3 years. I have never been but want to as I am a winter person and would love every minute! Beautiful photos!

Harriet said...

Love all the pictures of Alaska! Can't wait to see the baby bluebirds.

Shelley said...

Betsy - I am just eating up these Alaska photos!!! Wow! This is on mine and Greg's dream list to visit! (Besides going to Tennessee to meet you of course! Ha! :)
We hope next year is the year - I've always dreamed of going to Alaska and I have about 10 books of various true stories there.
Also excited about your growing bluebird family!!!
Shelley

Susie said...

I would love to take a cruise to AK myself. I think the scenery and the wildlife would make it worth while but my hubbie isn't ready to do one just yet.

Thanks for sharing these photos with us Betsy.

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

Thanks to Bert for letting us see the Alaska shots...wow, they're awesome...I'm keeping up with your birds nest...
Thanks
Becky

Rose said...

I have always wanted to go to Alaska...I read every personal story about Alaska I can get. Not sure what you would call them...maybe memoirs/autobiographies/journals. Just finished re-reading O Rugged Land of Gold...I have probably read it 3 times at least. It is a favorite.

Small City Scenes said...

4 eggs---YAY!!!

Yes Alaska is incredible and just a photo op waiting to happen.
I bet your son did love the cruise job. Just to see the scenery. MB

I Am Woody said...

Beautiful. Alaska is one place that I have ALWAYS wanted to visit. My Dad took a cruise/train tour several years ago. He loved every minute of it!

Cedar ... said...

I would enjoy AK. But it's a very expensive idea to think about a vacation there. Several friends are going this year and they are estimating on a couple of months up and back in their campers and a cost of approx. $7000 per camper. ouch! But i'll keep dreaming!

Femin Susan said...

Those are beautiful shots!your are a great photographer indeed.Now the eggs are four!Tomorrow I think you can expect 5.
cheers!

Dorothy said...

Hi Betsy,
Wonderful post. I would like to go to Alaska someday!

SmilingSally said...

I've never been to Alaska either.

I love to get the updates on the nest.

Busy Bee Suz said...

I also would love to visit Alaska one day....the pictures are GORGEOUS!!! You should plan your trip w/ George!
Congrats on the babies.

Connie said...

Betsy, I hope you do get to travel to
Alaska some day. The wildlife there would be something to see. :D

What great fun to watch the bluebird's nest each day. Very exciting to see.

Have a great day! :D

EG CameraGirl said...

Well, I can understand why you were a tad jealous of your son. Alaska must be incredibly beautiful...still relatively unspoiled.

Congrats on egg number four!

Anonymous said...

4 eggs - That's great - Still could be more too - This really IS very exciting - Can't wait!

I'm also jealous about a trip to Alaska! I never thought I'd ever want to go there, but the last several years... I've changed my mind BIG TIME! I really want to go

The little baby seals - The majestic Eagles - bears - mountains! All of it - I want to see all of it! hehehe

Great photos from your son, Betsy! I Love Them All!

Deborah Godin said...

Wonderful variety of shots today! And I loved the tour of Alaska - a place I'll likely never go, so enjoyed seeing the fauna from my chair!!

Becca's Dirt said...

Neat to see the animals in Alaska and great photos you have.

Can't wait to see the little baby blue birds.

Hope you have a wonderful day Betsy... Becca

Karin said...

What a treat to visit your blog! I don't know how you do it - always have something new and exciting. Amazing photography! Thank your son for sharing it!

May 15th is our second daughters birthday! I'll show her photos of your newborns then! This is so exciting!

Joy said...

You and George should go to Alaska you would love it. I went 14 years ago and so glad I did. I just looked at my pictures again the other night, they just aren't that great, but they do bring back good memories of my trip.
My Aunt and her husband drive their motor home from FL to Alaska every 2 years.

Joy

Midlife, menopause, mistakes and random stuff... said...

I loved the lovely snaps Miz Betsy.
Are you going to show us the little bluebirds when they hatch? Please do. I didn't know that about bluebirds. Hey, I always learn something at your place :)
Will you think about joining us for Friday Shoot-Outs????? Miz Mildred did and geez, you can't let her show you up now can you (how's that for a begging angle, lol).......

Steady On
Reggie Girl

Mary said...

wow..incredible shots of Alaska! 4 eggs...wonderful!

Anonymous said...

Doug and I are hoping to take that cruise too at some point, mostly for the great photo opportunities like Bert had:)

Jen said...

Let me know when you're going...I'll start packing.
Congrats on the eggs- I am going to go peek at mine today and see if we have any.
and your kids and grand kids are just precious. I can see how proud you are of them all.

Cicero Sings said...

Maybe one day D and I will do that cruise too. So far we are content in our own dear home and area. D has seen a lot of that area as he has worked all over B.C. and it's coastline and drove up into Alaska on holidays.

Diane said...

Betsy, Thanks for the pictures. And to think that I get to go there this coming July (if everything works right). The birds nest is heavenly.

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

It's great to have a little visit to Alaska via your pictures.Thanks
Blessings,Ruth

RA said...

Hi Betsy, just wanted to wish you a great time at your upcoming vacation. How lovely is that! Take me with you, I need a vacation now. I have to stop complaining about the hot and humid weather here ;). Hugs from Indonesia.

Tina said...

Betsy,
Plum right you are..that is exciting and so were those awesome pictures your son took..wow.. loved them all. Hope you are enjoying the nice weather and all this spring time green!!

Leedra said...

Bert has some nice photos.

Will be watching for your updates of the bluebirds. I have bluebird babies at New Market. Not sure if eggs or babies in Rockwood, will check next trip.

Baby watch continues. Wendy went to the doctor today. No change, come back on Monday (if still pregnant!)

Leedra’s Photos For FunLeedra’s Greeting CardsPhotography By Leedra

Small City Scenes said...

You are already forgiven. LOL MB

Neal said...

You need to talk George into taking you to AK. You guys would love it. I don't know what you consider expensive but you can get cheap airline tickets up there sometimes. Lodging in kind of expensive since a B&B is the only thing available a lot of times (probably $125-$150 per night). However, we don't spend much money on anything else because we just love nature and it doesn't cost anything (except gasoline to get there) to see a lot of good nature scenes.

CountryDreaming said...

Fascinating how Bluebird eggs are Robins-egg-blue. Can't wait to see the babies when they hatch!

Janie said...

Your son must have had a wonderful experience working in Alaska. He certainly captured some great wildlife photos. Fantastic!

Anonymous said...

Pretty pics. I hope you get to visit Alaska one day soon.

Carol Murdock said...

I dream of seeing the Whales in Alaska! Your pictures are stunning!

xoxo,
Carol

Pat - Arkansas said...

Your son's photos are wonderful! I've not been to AK, either, and looks like I won't get there, so it's nice to see such great photos.

The nest is progressing nicely!

penny said...

I haven't been there eigher but my sis has and she too had a marvelous time taking photos. Your son took some really wonderful photos, Betsy.
Thanks for sharing!
Hugs, Pam

Loran said...

Years ago my grandmother took me and my sister to Alaska. It was my first trip out west and I loved it.

I love the blue eggs too.

Lagean Ellis said...

Ms. Betsy, I am with you, I want to go to Alaska, too. It is so beautiful there!

Love the bluebirds. We haven't had any luck with ours yet.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Betsy: Beautiful photos from Alaska, I would like to visit.

Tina said...

Betsy, Sure hope you guys have a wonderful time and have lots of sunshine...our weekend was drowned out with storms and rain...but oh so lovely with all that green.
Such beautiful pictures of all your flowers and shrubs!
Can't wait to see those fledglings...we haven't had any blue settle yet but I'm still hoping someone chooses our bluebird house..I am constantly chasing those darn house sparrows away..waiting on that nice blue to take over!! :)