• About

northierthanthou

northierthanthou

Tag Archives: Birds

Leetul Buurdz!

12 Tuesday Jan 2021

Posted by danielwalldammit in Alaska, Animals, Bad Photography

≈ 10 Comments

Tags

Alaska, Awe, Birds, Cute, Snow Buntings, Squee, Summer, Tiny, Wildlife

Just Hollerin’

I don’t know about the rest of y’all, but I need a cuteness break, right about now.

So, I’m going to post some pics of these little birds we get here over the summer. they usually arrive in April or May, and it seems like they disappear with the first few snows of the Fall, so usually by October. I’m told they are called “snow buntings.” I don’t think these critters are really all that unusual. I probably saw plenty of snow buntings when I lived in the lower 48, but I sure notice them a lot more now. Their arrival is a welcome sign that what counts as Spring here is actually starting to happen. I hear them singing first in the Spring often without actually seeing any for a couple weeks. Finally, the numbers get large enough to enjoy the sites.

Love these little guys!

I took these pics over the last couple summers. (Click to embiggen!)

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Print
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

An Owlitation Meditation

11 Friday Dec 2020

Posted by danielwalldammit in Alaska, Bad Photography

≈ 9 Comments

Tags

Alaska, Birds, Nature, Owls, Photography, Snowy Owls, Tundra, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography

One of the first things I did when I moved to Barrow was walk out onto the tundra with my little Backberry phone and try to get some pictures of a snowy owl that stayed out behind the college here. He would stare at me as I approached and then fly away just as I was almost in range for a decent photo, only to land a hundred feet or so away and stare calmly at me as I repeated my efforts. I almost got some decent pics of that guy. All day, I almost got them.

Almost!

There was something the way that owl just watched me approach. It was a forgone conclusion. It wasn’t going to get THAT close, so he was in no hurry to fly away. He took off just as I was about to get close enough for a decent pic, and he went just far enough to re-establish his own comfort zone, and incidentally to tempt me to engage in one more round of effort.

Ah well!

These days, I have an actual camera. I’m still a bit clumsy with a lens, but my camera is smart enough to compensate for some of my photo-foolishness, and the result is a (hopefully) passable batch of owlitations. Most of them were taken the summer before last. This year, there just didn’t seem to be enough hot lemming action to draw a big owly crowd. Anyway, …owls!

(Click to embiggen!)

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Print
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

The Eagles of Metlakatla

04 Monday Jul 2016

Posted by danielwalldammit in Alaska, Animals, Bad Photography

≈ 30 Comments

Tags

Bald Eagles, Birds, Eagles, July 4th, Metlakatla, Photography, Sea, Travel, Wildlife

IMG_20160702_101108So, I spent most of June on the Metlakatla Indian Reserve on in Southeast Alaska. It’s easily one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. Its eagles were one of the first things I noticed about the place. It seems to have a lot of them. Locals seemed amused to see me clicking away at the local equivalent of pigeons, but to me they were damned beautiful pigeons, and so I clicked on. These are lazy eagles, or so one my students told me. They don’t hunt as much as eagles out and away from the harbor. These guys obviously get a lot of easy meals off the boats, I’m sure. And still, that doesn’t make them any less majestic looking. So, again, I clicked away.

When an eagle looks back at you, it’s hard to escape the notion that one is being judged. Yeah, judge me if you like dude; I got your picture, so there! It’s really hard  to get a decent picture of these guys in flight. I tried hard and almost managed it a time or two. I definitely prefer it when they perch in a tree and pose for me. They can judge all they like, just so long as they give me time to zoom in.

So, I figure, what could be more fitting for an Independence Day post than a bunch of eagle pics? Anyway, have a look!

(You may of course click to embiggen.)

IMG_20160629_120335
IMG_20160627_222411
IMG_20160623_145721
IMG_20160613_152841
IMG_20160610_152057
IMG_20160607_122201
DSC08591
DSC08813
DSC08825
DSC08846
DSC08870
DSC08943
DSC08214
DSC08169
DSC08129
DSC08114
DSC08073
DSC08063
DSC08018
DSC08029
DSC08034
DSC08054
DSC08057
DSC07653
DSC07565
DSC07299
DSC07234
IMG_20160702_101108
DSC07926

 

Metlakatla is the only Indian reservation in Alaska. It began when William Duncan, an Anglican missionary separated with his church and brought a portion of his Tsimshian congregation from old Metlakatla to Annette Island, thus founding the community of New Metlakatla. It is still predominantly a Tsimshian community, though Tlingit and Haida, and a whole host of other peoples live there as well. Father Duncan’s faith isn’t the only one here anymore, but with half a dozen churches in a town of 1300, it is still very much a Christian community.

The town has a casino, but that didn’t get a lot of action while I was there, or at least I didn’t notice it. They also have a tourist ship, which seems to get a little business. (At least they did from me.) They also have a cannery, and this meant lots of outsiders showed up as the fishing season started. …Suddenly Russian could be heard all over the place. All in all, it was an interesting place.

(Click to embiggen. You know you wanna!)

20160619_202935
DSC07846
DSC08965
DSC08770
DSC08740
DSC08638
DSC08489
DSC08440
DSC08418
DSC08347
IMG_20160617_114117
DSC08312
IMG_20160619_220847
DSC08300
IMG_20160612_091941
IMG_20160615_110309
IMG_20160628_225202
IMG_20160630_091027
DSC08047
IMG_20160622_153405
IMG_20160703_094159
DSC07989
DSC07960
DSC08211
Boat at Night

I recall talking to someone before I went about activities on the island. She said, there were plenty of good hiking places. I asked if it was dangerous, and was told in reply that there were no bears on the island. So, I hiked a good 5 miles or so away from town out on the beach. Later someone told me they do have wolves.

…good to know.

Funny thing about beaches. It’s no real surprise that refuse washes up on shore and sometimes people leave stuff. They should know better, yes, but they do. What’s not so obvious is just why so much of it gets hung up or stuck on a tree branch.

(Don’t click to embiggen this stuff! Seriously, just don’t!)

DSC08278
DSC08400
DSC08394

One day, I had the oddest exchange. It went like this:

Stranger: Sorry to bother you, I had to check on my log.

Me: Your log?

Stranger: My log.

The mystery was somewhat resolved when a boat came to haul it away. The skipper told me it was going to be a totem.

CmKyLJvUkAE8zKx

For most of the time I stayed on the island, local fisherman used drift nets, but the very morning I left, they shifted to seine netting which was a bit more interesting cause you can see the floats.

(Click to embiggen!)

DSC09072
DSC09016
DSC09006
DSC09014
DSC09033
DSC09094

The eagles certainly found these nets rather interesting. They were very interested in seeing the results.

DSC09019

Happy July 4th everybody!

 

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Print
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

An Uncommon Nest

13 Monday Oct 2014

Posted by danielwalldammit in Bad Photography, Uncommonday

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

Art, Birds, Humor, Installation, Monday, Portland, Public Art, Trees, Vacations

106

(click to embiggen, you know you wanna!)

 

 

So, I saw this installation during a brief visit to Portland last summer. I did my best to stay under cover for the balance of my stay.

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Print
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Northitude Returns to Me: This Time With an Actual Camera!

12 Sunday Aug 2012

Posted by danielwalldammit in Alaska, Bad Photography

≈ 17 Comments

Tags

Alaska, Arctic, Barrow, Birds, Nature, Photography, Photos, Sea, Water

Barrow-side from Browerville 4

So, I’ve been back in the arctic for a little over a week, and the fog has only just given me a chance to get out with my new camera. I took a walk yesterday, mostly around the perimeter of town, and yes water and pretty stuff seems to have held my attention for most of the day. The place looks pretty much the way I left it which isn’t exactly surprising. Let’s just say that with the onset of drilling in the North Slope there was some cause for doubt.

The housing situation in Barrow is never all that good, but with Shell on its way, several of my colleagues and students were struggling to find a place as landlords held out in hopes of windfall rent profits. But it was never clear that Barrow was going to get a large influx of workers, and Shell has scaled back its plans for this year. So, things seem to be easing up a bit, a little too late for at least one couple.

Sad to see them go.

Most of the migratory waterfowl seem to have left already, but a bird or two remains. Other than that, a few familiar faces are missing and a few new faces have appeared. Barrow remains Barrow, just like paradise.

…only not at all.

(Click to Embiggen)

The Kitties were happy to see me. …no really.
Barrow-side from Browerville
Barrow-side from Browerville 2

Wind Break
Barrow-side from Browerville 3
Barrow-side from Browerville 4

Old Boat
Path out to a Point (It’s not much of a point, really, but around here it’s like a mountain-top)
Sculpture (There is a story behind this, but I’ve forgotten it. So um …hey, look at the ice!)

My friend Cindy would probably do something like this
Boat and Old House
Ice in the Background

Clouds
Bird with Ice in the background
Old Arctic Hotel

Directions
What’s Wrong with this Picture?
Dumpster I missed

Been Meaning to Get this Dumpster for Awhile
The bird is the word!
One of several barges dropping supplies off while they can

Mystic Barge
Old Boat
Another attempt at Cindy-Style

Some Housing with Umiag and Sled Frames
Bird 2
Wind Breaks 2

Building and Reflection
Winter is Coming
Tiny pockets of groundwater trying to make it foggy

It’s about 12:30am, but that sunset looks like the real thing.
Sunset on the Ocean
Leaving so soon?

71.271549
-156.751450

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Print
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Top Posts & Pages

  • About
    About
  • An Uncommon Security Guard: Dave Eshelman, AKA 'John Wayne'
    An Uncommon Security Guard: Dave Eshelman, AKA 'John Wayne'
  • A Very Soylent Spoiler Alert
    A Very Soylent Spoiler Alert
  • The Life of Q
    The Life of Q
  • Oh Come On!
    Oh Come On!
  • In Loving Memory of Donald T. M. Wall, May 5, 1928 - October 17, 1997
    In Loving Memory of Donald T. M. Wall, May 5, 1928 - October 17, 1997
  • At the End of Black History Month - Goddam!
    At the End of Black History Month - Goddam!
  • A Wondrous Road Trip!
    A Wondrous Road Trip!
  • The Legacy of Rush Limbaugh
    The Legacy of Rush Limbaugh
  • An Uncommon Rosie
    An Uncommon Rosie

Topics

  • Alaska
  • Animals
  • Anthropology
  • atheism
  • Bad Photography
  • Books
  • Childhood
  • Education
  • Gaming
  • General
  • History
  • Irritation Meditation
  • Justice
  • Las Vegas
  • Minis
  • Movie Villainy
  • Movies
  • Museums
  • Music
  • Narrative VIolence
  • Native American Themes
  • Philosophy
  • Politics
  • Public History
  • Re-Creations
  • Religion
  • Street Art
  • The Bullet Point Mind
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized
  • Uncommonday
  • White Indians
  • Write Drunk, Edit Stoned

Blogroll

  • An Historian Goes to the Movies
  • Aunt Phil's Trunk
  • Bob's Blog
  • Dr. Gerald Stein
  • Hinterlogics
  • Ignorance WIthout Arrogance
  • Im-North
  • Insta-North
  • Just a Girl from Homer
  • Multo (Ghost)
  • Norbert Haupt
  • Northwest History
  • Northy Pins
  • Northy-Tok
  • Nunawhaa
  • The History Blog
  • The History Chicks
  • What Do I Know?

Archives

  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011

My Twitter Feed

Follow @Brimshack

RSS Feed

  • RSS - Posts
  • RSS - Comments

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 8,039 other followers

Blog at WordPress.com.

Cancel

 
Loading Comments...
Comment
    ×
    loading Cancel
    Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
    Email check failed, please try again
    Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
    %d bloggers like this: