I really don’t quite know where to begin this. I am sitting on Atlin Lake surrounded by snow capped mountains. There is a bald eagle perched on a telephone pole outside my window. Yesterday there were two. On occasion they are harassed by sea gulls who try to keep them away from their nesting place on a small treed island in the middle of this 60 mile lake. Just up the road is a small pond with an amazing ecosystem. So far I’ve seen a beaver, greater scoup, red-breasted merganser, some kind of sandpiper (I think a stilt sandpiper) lots of barn swallows and tree swallows (which graciously eat the voracious mosquitoes) and what I think is either a thrush or warbler of some kind (help me out here Jeff).
Bald Eagle
Greater Scoup-male
Greater Scoup-female
Red-breasted Merganser
Sandpiper
Can anyone identify this bird?
Early yesterday morning we left our campsite outside of Watson Lake and continued north on the highway. Having already completed the most spectacular and mountainous part of the highway the day before, we easily covered the 210 miles to our turnoff at Jake’s Corner. Yup, Jake’ s Corner. This is at the junction of the Alaska Highway and Tagish Road. We gassed up and headed down the 60 miles of road to Atlin. We knew that ¾’s of the road would be dirt and gravel, but we did not anticipate the ongoing construction. There were a couple of nail-biting moments as Michael maneuvered the motor home with Tracker attached through the mud. At that point I believe my name was mud for insisting that we go to this remote town of 400 people (the most northwesterly town in British Columbia) in what seemed the end of the world. The trip was worth it!
Directions anyone?
On the road to Atlin
THE road to Atlin
Atlin was founded in 1898 and was one of the richest gold strikes made during the Klondike rush in 1897-98. In fact, the father of the woman who runs the campground, mined gold for years here. Apparently there are still plenty of streams in the area where people pan for gold but the big rush right now is in Dawson City, YT. You can walk the town of Atlin in about 20 minutes. Most homes are log and many of the buildings are boarded up. Fishing and tourism are its mainstay in the summer. Quiet, peaceful and spectacularly beautiful are the only words I can use to best describe it. Hopefully my images will speak even louder.
Sunrise on Atlin Lake
Sunrise on Atlin Lake #2
A few hours before sunset
I’m moving to Canada! Awesome shots Barb. I bet Kluane will top these though. Can’t wait.
Sounds like you’re having a grand ole time! Nice photos and commentary. Shared the photo of your unknown bird with a birder friend of mine – he says he really knows sea birds best but ventured a guess – Lincoln’s sparrow. From my bird book, guess it is a sparrow but the picture of Lincoln’s sparrow doesn’t really match. Good luck – I’m really no help with birding, Hitchcock and Tippi Hedren did me in years ago! Have a safe trip! See you sometime soon…
Barbara, I have been out of town and am now catching up on your blogs. You have taken some wonderful photos. Thanks for sharing your trip with us. Stay safe and keep shooting!
Bernie
I think we have concluded that the bird is a sparrow. We think it is a swamp sparrow. Any one else want to come in on this?
Hi Barbara,
Your pictures are great. Makes me think about doing something similar in doing a trip up there sometime. You’re not missing much with the weather being so hot here in Wake Forest. By the way that Canada goose nest you had been watching only produced one gosling. Have not seen any others so far. Race and I miss seeing you and Lily on our morning walks.
Alex