Alaska: August 28 – September 10, 2015

Birding on the Bering Sea outposts during the early autumn offers a variety of western Alaska specialties, an incredible seabird spectacle, southbound shorebirds that include small numbers of Old World species, and a good chance of finding Asian landbird strays. In contrast to the spring migration period, fall migration is protracted and full of glorious uncertainty, but some of the plumages, to say nothing of the species, are rarely seen on North American birding tours. Although rare passerines can be expected to occur between late August and early October, the number, composition, and timing of their occurrence vary from year to year, depending on such factors as the weather, that year’s nesting success, and of course good luck!

The following are images I captured during my first trip to Nome and Gambell, as cook & coleader for the regularly scheduled WINGS Fall Migration at Gambell tour.  Following the tour I left the group upon return to Anchorage and made my way solo to Denali where I would spend the next 4 days enjoying the peak of the fall foliage. Denali National Park closes for the year in mid-September, and just a few days after my visit the Park gates would be closed and the hillsides covered in snow.  While I haven’t seen Denali any other time of year I can’t imagine it being any more colorful or the weather any better (and not a single biting insect!!)

Nome

Gambell, St. Lawrence Island

Denali National Park