New Alaska Journal Format

I'm using a format to keep my AK Journal where you can comment now. Check out the new blog:

http://susanstevenson.com/blog

My gallery is still located at:

http://www.susanstevenson.com/Gallery

Where to Read Me

I no longer use this blog for journaling or posting photographs.

You can read my Alaska Journal at

http://www.susanstevenson.com/Journal/openingjournal.htm

And see my Alaska photographs at

http://www.susanstevenson.com/Gallery

This gallery is in the process of being updated. I appreciate your patience. You can see recent photographs in my Journal. Almost anything you see in my journal can be enlarged and printed for purchase.

Thank you for reading me.

The Raven

ONCE upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,—
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
"'T is some visitor," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door;
Only this and nothing more."
~ Edgar Allan Poe - The Raven ~




(I found the following information about the raven on the Alaska Fish and Game Website)
Long evoking strong emotion from man, the raven has often played important roles in cultures, mythologies, and writings.

The spiritual importance of the raven to Alaska's Native people is still recognized. The Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian, BellaBella, and Kwakiutl all viewed the raven as the creator of the world and bringer of daylight. The raven is also important in the creation of myths by the Eskimo. The myths of the raven remain a significant social and religious component of Alaska culture.

Ravens are common in Alaska and often congregate near human settlements during non-breeding times. They can be minor nuisances by scattering unattended garbage and stealing food set out for dogs. They will come to baited traps, which is unfortunate for trapper and bird alike.

Ravens probably first breed at 3 or 4 years of age and mate for life.

Junior Yukon Quest

"No matter how little money and how few possesions you own,
having a dog makes you rich."
~ Louis Sabin ~

Northern Lights

You’ll wait a long, long time for anything much
To happen in heaven beyond the floats of cloud
And the Northern Lights that run like tingling nerves.
~ Robert Frost (1874–1963 ~
"Looking up by chance at the Constellations"

Man's (and Woman's) Best Friend

"Dogs have given us their absolute all.
We are the center of their universe.
We are the focus of their love and faith and trust.
They serve us in return for scraps.
It is without a doubt the best deal man has ever made."
~ Roger Caras ~

Winter Moon

The moon looked in at the window.
It seemed to have got itself entangled
in the tops of the tall pines.
~ All Roads lead to Cavalry ~

Morning Walk

The cold was our pride, the snow was our beauty. It fell and fell,
lacing day and night together in a milky haze, making everything
quieter as it fell, so that winter seemed to partake of religion in a
way no other season did, hushed, solemn.
~ Patricia Hampl ~

Winter Arrives in Fairbanks

There is a privacy about it which no other season gives you ..... In spring, summer and fall people sort of have an open season on each other; only in the winter, in the country, can you have longer, quiet stretches when you can savor belonging to yourself.
~ Ruth Stout ~
Snow-covered path and a break in the clouds

(c)2004 Susan L Stevenson

October Sunset

Softly the evening came.
The sun from the western horizon
Like a magician extended his golden want o'er the landscape;
Trinkling vapors arose; and sky and water and forest
Seemed all on fire at the touch, and melted and mingled together.
~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow ~

Sunset at 7pm

Early Morning Aurora

The Northern Lights have seen queer sights,
But the queerest they ever did see
Was the night on the marge of Lake Lebarge
I cremated Sam McGee.
~ Robert W. Service ~

Northern Lights at 5:30am

The Waning Moon

... the growing and dying of the moon reminds us of our ignorance which comes and goes; but when the moon is full it is as if the eternal light of the Great Spirit were upon the whole world. ~ Black Elk

Pink and Golden Mornings

Each morning the day lies like a fresh shirt on our bed; this incomparably fine, incomparably tightly woven tissue of pure prediction fits us perfectly. The happiness of the next twenty-four hours depends on our ability, on waking, to pick it up. ~ Walter Benjamin ~

I have missed the winter sunrises and sunsets more than anything. During the warmer months of spring and summer, I am usually asleep when these colorful salutations occur. But in the winter, my day is already underway when the morning sun breaks the horizon.

My morning walk with Sedona was lit by moonlight. The moon is almost full. I watched our shadows move together on the sidewalk. The same light that lit our way, turned the trees into black creatures. We didn't venture into the woods as we usually do. There were too many shadows in there and my imagination was running wild.

On the way to work, I watched the sky turn a pale orange. I looked for a good place to pull over so I could take a few photos. The orange soon became pink. I decided to alter my route and stop by the Chena River. A light mist was coming off of the water and it added to the peaceful scene.

Later, as I rode the shuttle bus from the parking lot to my office building, the skies became a blinding orange-yellow as the sun finally cleared the horizon. I couldn't find it in my heart to go to my office. Instead I took off on foot toward an overlook, where I watched the sun move upward in the sky. There is so much spendor in a sunrise!

What an incredible way to welcome another day...

The sun begins to rise over the Chena River:


Taken from University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF):

Squirrel Encounters

A squirrel leaping from bough to bough, and making the wood but one wide tree for his pleasure, fills the eye not less than a lion,—is beautiful, self-sufficing, and stands then and there for nature. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~

I love squirrels, despite the fact that they throw plant matter and small pinecones at me and Sedona when we walk near their tree. They have grand personalities for so small a creature. Their chatter can be friendly and even sing-song at times, and other times they sound downright angry.

This particular squirrel was much more aggressive than some of the others I've encountered in the pine trees behind my house. He not only screeched at me, but came down from the top of his tree to a lower branch. There he perched, as he continued his barrage of squirrel profanity. This went on for quite a long time, before he realized that I wasn't going anywhere. The last thing I saw was a swish of his tail as he scampered back to the treetops.

A Blanket of Snow

There is a privacy about it which no other season gives you.... In spring, summer and fall people sort of have an open season on each other; only in the winter, in the country, can you have longer, quiet stretches when you can savor belonging to yourself. ~ Ruth Stout ~

Alaska is an awe-inspiring place to live. It is easy for me to find beautiful things to photograph here. But just before winter fully arrives, the landscape seems to blend together into a large brown mass. The leaves which remain are pale yellow and spotted with brown. The limbs and twigs on the trees shrivel and dry out. The wild grass, which used to be a nice golden shade of yellow, turns beige. The fireweed has long since lost its seeds, and the rich magenta flowers are a pleasant memory.

The world seems to be going to sleep. Soon it will be tucked in tightly with a frosty, white blanket.

For fifteen minutes this evening, we got a preview of what is to come. The huge flakes brought children outdoors, twirling in circles with their mouths open. Running up and down the hills. Laughing and playing.

I wanted to join them....

Autumn Slips Away

I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house. So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air.
~ Nathaniel Hawthorne ~

Snow fell in Anchorage, but all we have here in Fairbanks is rain. The wind has also grown stronger and the leaves quake on the limbs of the aspens. In Canada these trees are called "trembling aspens". Here in Alaska they are called "quaking aspens". In the slightest breeze, this tree's small round leaves tremble almost incessantly, like thousands of butterfly wings, fluttering and twinkling. When the wind is strong, like it is today, it's a beautiful sight. But it is also a final dance, as one by one, each leaf is released from the branch and sent spiraling and sailing to the ground.

During my morning walk with Sedona, I encountered a feisty squirrel who chattered at us with a vengeance when we approached her tree. I watched her carry large mouthfuls of grass and plant matter up the tree and to her nest, padding it in preparation for winter. These squirrels are an amazing bunch. I have seen them foraging on -20F winter days.

The damp weather brings a chill to the air. I didn't wear gloves this morning and had to fold my hands up into the sleeves of my fleece jacket periodically. The brisk air is invigorating, blowing the morning drowsiness away.

I look forward to snow and the quiet, dark mornings when the only sound I hear is the snow crunching beneath my boots.

Autumn Carpet


Preparing the Nest


Tiny Raindrops

Frosty Mornings

The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others only a green thing that stands in the way. Some see nature all ridicule and deformity . . . and some scarce see nature at all. But to the eyes of the man of imagination, nature is imagination itself. ~ William Blake

About a week ago, I took my camera with me during my morning walk with my shepherd/chow, Sedona. I rarely leave my house without my camera. I know that it would be my luck to see something spectacular and not have a means to capture it. Sedona and I walk one of two routes every morning. They parallel each other, but end up in the same place; in the woodline behind my neighborhood.

I am never disappointed on these walks. Things may appear to be the same from day to day, but they're not. Over the course of the past few weeks, I have watched the leaves on the trees go from green to yellow, and then to a deep orange. Now they are changing again to brown. And as they change to brown, they curl inward upon themselves until they finally let go of the twig that held them for more than 4 months and fall to the dirt path. The path used to only be spotted with these fallen leaves. Now it is carpeted. Soon they will make a crunching sound when I walk on them.

Frosty mornings are the norm now, despite the fact that the sun is still capable of warming the days to above freezing. And there is nothing so beautiful as a crystal coated leaf. They glisten in the morning light and look almost edible... sugared. But what made the morning even more spectacular, was my audience as I concentrated on photographing these "candy" leaves.

She came up out of the runoff ditch, only 30 feet from me. Her calf followed. Sedona was quiet, with her ears turned forward and a low gruff rumbling in her chest. The cow looked at me and I looked back. We all stood frozen. And then her calf glanced over and, upon seeing us, quickly moved to mama. Their muzzles touched. Assurance, perhaps?

I was trembling during the encounter, but my apprehension didn't stop me from instinctively bringing my camera up to my eye. She stood still for a few minutes more before turning away from me. And slowly she made her way down the path, with her calf matching her steps. What a beautiful way to start my day.

Moose Kisses


Morning Frost

Could it be snow?

A few days ago I walked along the edge of the lake and was treated
to the crunch and rustle of leaves with each step I made. The
acoustics of this season are different and all sounds, no matter
how hushed, are as crisp as autumn air.
~ Eric Sloane ~


The weatherman has been calling for snow all week. It's starting to seem a lot like the "boy who cried wolf". So far, the snow has not come as predicted - at least not here in Fairbanks. It has, however, fallen in the higher elevations (above 1000 feet). Fairbanks sits at about 450'.

This morning, I noticed what appeared to be a dusting of snow on the roof outside the bedroom window. Or perhaps it was only a thick layer of frost? There wasn't any of the white stuff on any of the streets, but it was on the dirt path where I take Sedona for her morning walk.

I grabbed my camera and went out for a drive. I was hoping for a nice sunrise or clear view of the range and I was in luck. I glanced toward the horizon and saw an amazing sight. Not only was the range out in all its glory, but the angle of the sun emphasized every crag and peak beautifully. I decided to drive to the top of Birch Hill for a bird's eye view.

Not far into my climb up the steep and switchback road, I encountered snow. It was only a light dusting and only seemed to cling to the dirt of the road, but it was snow nonetheless. I have to admit I was excited to see it. I wonder if, in a few months, I will be questioning my joy? Nah!

I stood at the top of Birch Hill for many minutes - looking out at the range and watching the sun paint the crags and hills with its yellow and orange rays. It was chilly, but my heart was warm. I so love living here....


Fort Wainwright sits in the foreground as the Alaska Range is painted by the sun

Snow dusts the road on top of Birch Hill

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.
Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.
The winds will blow their own freshness into you,
and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.
~ John Muir ~

We had a change of plans on Sunday and instead of going fishing down at Montana Creek (which is towards Anchorage), we instead drove the other way - to Paxson - and then in on the Denali Highway for 30 miles. All total... about 400 miles roundtrip. We left the house around 7am and didn't get home again until after 7pm. We stopped many times so that Steve could fish, and I could shoot.

There are no words to express the incredible beauty that we saw yesterday. I was moved by the most glorious contrasts of autumn gold and orange against the steel blue and white of snow-capped mountains.

Thank you, God for giving me sight....


On a clear day, you can see the Alaska Range on the horizon from Fairbanks. Drive about 50 miles southeast and the range becomes much more impressive. This photo was taken from an overlook. The Tanana River is in the foreground. Although the river isn't frozen yet, many of the tributaries which lead to the Tanana are fringed with snow and ice and have a thin layer of ice on top.


As you get closer to Fort Greeley (an anti-ballistic missile installation and army training area), the range seems only a few miles away - but in reality it's many more miles before you actually see the 'big stuff'.


I call this one "Head for the Hills". The range is so incredibly impressive!


This is one example of the great mixture of warm and cold colors throughout our drive. What a joy!

This is Black Rapids Glacier. Near Black Rapids is the Army's Cold Weather Training Center. It is here that our soldiers are trained in mountaineering and arctic survival.


There are a herd of bison which were originally brought here from Montana in the late 1920's who have been surviving on their own (and growing in numbers) ever since. Their migration occurs April-August. We saw them in June. No sight of them yesterday.

This drive through the Rainbow Mountains (named for the colors caused by minerals in the rock) made me catch my breath in June when we made this drive. Yesterday, I was even more taken aback by the grandeur.

Another shot of the Rainbow Mountains from the riverbed (the water level is low and the river bottom is gravel)


This is Gulkana Glacier. During the winter, the Tesoro Arctic Man Competition takes place in this general area. The golden color of the marsh grass, the not yet frozen pond, and the frigid colors of the glacier were a real treat for the eyes.

I suppose the ADF&G (Alaska Dept of Fish & Game) won't be hanging signs on any trees in the future....


This shot was taken from the Denali Highway. The Denali Highway is 135 miles (more than 110 miles of washboard gravel) and connects Paxson to Cantwell - which is where the entrance to Denali National Park is. Some say that there are better views and more wildlife along this stretch of highway, than in the park itself.


We stopped to check out this campground along the highway. During the off season, camping at BLM campgrounds is free. Another terrific perk for us residents.

We stopped at the Delta River so Steve could fish. The marsh grass grew in abundance along the shoreline and from between the rocks.


This was taken as we made our way back to Fairbanks. I thought that the way the sun reflected on the creek was interesting.


The crooked line running up the side of this hill is the Alaska Pipeline. It runs more than 700 miles from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez.

The harsh lines of these craggy mountains were a real contrast to the soft bushes below.

What a perfect shot to end the day! As the sun gets lower in the sky, it turns the sky pink over the Range. We are exhausted and yet renewed.