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Juneau, AK
November 2010
Synopsis
On a bit of a world-wind work trip, I got to spend a few days in Juneau, Alaska. I know Alaska is a beautiful place, but it becomes difficult to enjoy during the cold, wet, and dark fall months. I only spent a few days in Juneau and it's surrounding areas, so I didn't get to fully enjoy what the city has to offer. I did get a few glimpses of the towering mountains and the glaciers that seem to butt up against the city. From what I could tell it would be quite a splendor during the spring and summer when the clouds wouldn't block the views.
Another perhaps enjoyable aspect of the city during the spring and summer is that the stores and other city attractions are actually open. I did have a little time to check out the Alaska State Museum in downtown Juneau. They had a wide spread of artifacts from the Native Americans to the gold rush to some wildlife though not in a large amount. For the vast history of Alaska, it held an adequate representation.
Birding would also be more interesting in the spring and summer as well. I saw a few of the resident birds that take their chances on the approaching winter. Glaucous-winged gulls were the most numerous and loud, with common ravens following closely behind the gulls. In the water, there were a few common ducks, grebes and loons. Nothing that couldn't be more easily and comfortably seen in the Puget Sound.
Still when the clouds parted or shifted, I could recognize the beauty in Juneau and the natural wonders that surround this small town. Under different conditions I could see myself spending more time and enjoying the many hiking trails that closely surround the city.
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Flight north over British Columbia |
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Mount Juneau towers over downtown
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Downtown Juneau |
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Gastineau Channel and Douglas Island as viewed from downtown Juneau
Listen to the Glaucous-winged Gulls of Juneau: |
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Admiralty Island and Auke Bay viewed from the NOAA Auke Bay labs. |
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Near the mouth of Eagle River |
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Echo Cove at the end of the road |
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Murre mask in the Alaska State Museum |
Bird List
| Pacific Loon | 1 |
| Common Loon | 1 |
| Red-necked Grebe | 2 |
| Pelagic Cormorant | 3 |
| Great Blue Heron | 2 |
| Surf Scoter | large raft, Auke Bay |
| Barrow's Goldeneye | |
| Bufflehead | |
| Greater Scaup | |
| Mallard | |
| Red-breasted Merganser | |
| Bald Eagle | |
| Glaucous-winged Gull | |
| Mew Gull | |
| Rock Pigeon | Juneau |
| Black-billed Magpie | |
| Northwest Crow | |
| Common Raven | |
| Chestnut-backed Chickadee | heard |
| Dark-eyed Junco | |
| Pine Siskin | Large flocks near Auke Bay |
| Other critters: | |
| seal | group of ~7, near the mouth of the Eagle River |
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