Grand Alaska Part Ii: Anchorage, Denali, and the Kenai Peninsula

GRAND ALASKA PART II: ANCHORAGE, DENALI, AND THE KENAI PENINSULA

JUNE 16–24, 2021

Varied Thrush, Seward, Alaska, June 21, 2021 ©Barry Zimmer

LEADERS: BARRY ZIMMER & ERIK BRUHNKE LIST COMPILED BY: BARRY ZIMMER

VICTOR EMANUEL NATURE TOURS, INC. 2525 WALLINGWOOD DRIVE, SUITE1003 AUSTIN, TEXAS 78746 WWW.VENTBIRD.COM Grand Alaska Part II: Anchorage, Denali, and the Kenai Peninsula June 16–24, 2021

By Barry Zimmer

Once again, our Grand Alaska Part II tour was a huge success. From boreal forest birds in the Denali region to spruce forest dwellers around Seward to wonderful seabirds in Kenai Fjords National Park, our avian list was superb. Additionally, we had wonderful mammal viewing throughout the trip and Denali in full view on two days! What more could you ask for?

Arctic Tern, Anchorage, Alaska, June 17, 2021 ©Barry Zimmer

Our tour began with a full day of birding in and around Anchorage. Our first stop was at Westchester Lagoon, where we tallied many nesting Red-necked Grebes (in gorgeous breeding plumage), four Bald Eagles, abundant Arctic Terns, and an Orange-crowned Warbler nearly in our laps, among many others. From there we headed to Potter Marsh just south of town. A majestic pair of Trumpeter Swans topped the list, but we also added Ring-necked Duck, a few Red-necked Phalaropes, and very close Alder

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 2 Grand Alaska Part II, 2021 Flycatcher and Lincoln’s Sparrow. A quick stop at Kincaid Park before lunch yielded a nice Swainson’s Thrush and a Moose so close to our van that we could almost scratch it! After lunch, we headed down towards Girdwood. Along Turnagain Arm, we found the expected Dall’s Sheep on the high cliffs, as well as some very unexpected Beluga Whales right next to the highway (thanks Sarah!). Stunning Varied Thrushes and a brilliant Townsend’s Warbler at eye level at Crow Creek, and some after dinner Hudsonian Godwits back at Westchester rounded out the day.

Denali (Mount McKinley), Alaska, June 20, 2021 ©Barry Zimmer

The next day, we headed north towards the Denali region. En route we birded an area known as the Sockeye Burn. Even before we reached the burn proper, we were fortunate to have a rare Black-backed Woodpecker make three passes across the highway as we watched. A short while later, we found a responsive pair of American Three-toed Woodpeckers and a Boreal Chickadee that almost landed on my speaker! Overshadowing the great birds, though, was the view of Denali as we headed north. From the moment we passed the town of Willow, we had full views of the mountain with no obstructing clouds all the way to lunch! In June, these conditions are present only 10% of the time! A few roadside stops en route to Denali Village yielded a lovely pair of Red-throated Loons, a few Buffleheads, a flyby Bohemian Waxwing, and a very cooperative Blackpoll Warbler. A successful “travel day” indeed!

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 3 Grand Alaska Part II, 2021

The following day was spent inside Denali National Park on the park sponsored Tundra Wilderness Tour. This trip is primarily for mammal viewing and scenery, and it did not disappoint. Four Grizzly Bears, four Moose, over 150 Caribou, and 40+ Dall’s Sheep were the main attractions. We did manage several birds of interest as well, including a male Willow Ptarmigan right next to the bus, five or more Golden Eagles, and an unexpected Northern Wheatear among others. After some time off followed by an early dinner, we ventured out on the Denali Highway for the first time. A tip from Jake led us to scope views of a distant Northern Hawk Owl (a difficult and irregular species) and another flyby Bohemian Waxwing to finish off our wonderful day!

Willow Ptarmigan, Denali NP, Alaska, June 19, 2021 ©Barry Zimmer

We returned to the Denali Highway the next morning and were able to re-find the Hawk Owl for those who were not with us the previous evening. Other highlights included another pair of Trumpeter Swans, two male Barrow’s Goldeneyes, a White-winged Scoter, a pair of Solitary Sandpipers in spruce trees, a tenacious Least Sandpiper that valiantly defended its territory, a family group of Canada Jays, and a male Rusty Blackbird. Also, Denali was, once again, in full view from the moment we got on the highway! The remainder of the afternoon was spent uneventfully cruising back to Anchorage.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 4 Grand Alaska Part II, 2021

Northern Hawk Owl, Denali Highway, Alaska, June 19, 2021 ©Barry Zimmer

The final leg of our journey was a visit to the Kenai Peninsula. Heading southward, we hit the Girdwood area again, adding Hermit Thrush, “Northwestern” Crow, and, most important, fresh blueberry fritters! A roadside stop, as we entered the Kenai, yielded “Harlan’s” Red-tailed Hawk, Varied Thrush, and “Sooty” Fox Sparrow. At Granite Creek, we had a very close Golden-crowned Sparrow. We stopped along the highway for scope views of Mountain Goats before we headed to Seward for lunch. After lunch, we enjoyed a wonderful family group of American Dippers at Bear Creek, not to mention the numerous Sockeye Salmon jumping up the waterfall at the weir. We finished off our day at a private residence, where we tallied Rufous Hummingbird, Hairy and Downy woodpeckers, the kenaiensis Song Sparrow, many Pine Siskins, and fleeting views of a Pine Grosbeak. A brief post-dinner option to Lowell Point proved highly successful with a Sea Otter no more than 30 feet away, and Pigeon Guillemot, Marbled Murrelet, and a very close Varied Thrush as avian highlights.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 5 Grand Alaska Part II, 2021

“Sooty” Fox Sparrow, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, June 21, 2021 ©Barry Zimmer

A nine-hour boat trip into Kenai Fjords National Park and the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge was on tap for the next day. Despite some drizzly, cold conditions, we had spectacular success! We saw virtually all of the hoped-for seabirds, including hundreds of Horned and Tufted puffins; Common and Thick-billed murres; Red-faced Cormorant; Marbled, Kittlitz’s (great views), and Ancient murrelets; and Parakeet and Rhinoceros (unusually scarce this year) auklets. The mammals were also amazing with Humpback (one individual breaching eight times right next to the boat) and Killer (pod of eight) whales, Steller’s Sea Lions, and numerous Harbor Seals and Sea Otters. Additionally, Northwestern Glacier was calving very actively, so we had spectacular viewing of large chunks of ice crashing into the water. This was an all-around incredible day!

Our final day was largely devoted to travel and packing, but we did some early morning birding around Seward. A family group of nine Chestnut-backed Chickadees stole the show, but we also saw Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned kinglets (with crests raised and at eye level), Steller’s Jay in the Wells Fargo parking lot, and several White-winged Crossbills; and we had slam dunk views of six Pine Grosbeaks.

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Pine Grosbeak, Seward, Alaska, June 23, 2021 ©Barry Zimmer

In all, we tallied 111 species of birds for the tour, 15 species of mammals, and countless breathtaking scenic vistas. Our time in the Last Frontier was simply epic!

ITINERARY

June 16 – arrival in Anchorage

June 17 – hotel grounds, Westchester Lagoon, Potter Marsh, Kincaid Park, drive to Girdwood along Turnagain Arm, Crow Creek Mine Road (42 species)

June 18 – drive to Denali National Park via the Parks Highway with stops at the Sockeye Burn and the MP 206 pond (36 species; 58 total)

June 19 – Denali National Park shuttle bus ride to Stony Pass (MP 62); evening excursion on Denali Highway to MP 122 (22 species; 70 total)

June 20 – Denali Highway to MP 108, drive to Anchorage along Parks Highway (45 species; 77 total)

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 7 Grand Alaska Part II, 2021

June 21 – Anchorage to Seward with stops at Girdwood (Crow Creek Mine Road), Granite Creek Campground, Bear Creek, and Ava’s house off Nash Road; post-dinner trip to Lowell Point Road (47 species; 89 total)

June 22 – all-day boat trip from Resurrection Bay to Kenai Fjords National Park, Northwestern Fjord and the Chiswell Islands (part of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge) (33 species; 108 total)

June 23 – Nash Woods, Two Lakes Trail (Ravina Road), Ava’s house, Trail River Campground, Upper Summit Lake, drive to Anchorage (43 species; 111 total)

June 24 - departures for home (111 total species)

Denali (Mount McKinley), Alaska, June 20, 2021 ©Barry Zimmer

KEY

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 8 Grand Alaska Part II, 2021 A = Anchorage and surrounding areas (Potter Marsh, Turnagain Arm, Girdwood, etc.) D = Denali National Park, Denali Hwy, and Parks Hwy north of Wasilla S = Seward, Kenai Fjords National Park, Summit Lakes, Granite Creek Campground, Bear Creek, Nash Road, Trail River Campground (Kenai Peninsula)

bold-faced species indicate birds of rare, casual or accidental occurrence

underlined species indicate birds of very uncommon occurrence or species which occur regularly but in such low densities as to be easily missed

# - indicates birds seen with babies or on nests

Bald Eagle, Bear Creek, Alaska, June 21, 2021 ©Barry Zimmer

BIRDS

Waterfowl:

Brant (Branta bernicla) S----a flock of twelve at Seward were noteworthy for this tour

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 9 Grand Alaska Part II, 2021

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) A---presumed to be of the small “Lesser Canada Goose” group parvipes ; #

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) A,D,S---best at Potter Marsh & along the Denali Highway; 17 total; #

Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata) A,D---several at Westchester

Gadwall (Mareca strepera) A---five in Anchorage the first day; generally uncommon in Alaska

American Wigeon (Mareca americana) A,D

Mallard (Anas platyrhychus) A,D,S---#

Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) A,D---#

Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) A---all at Westchester Lagoon

Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) A---pair at Potter Marsh along the highway; uncommon

Greater Scaup (Aythya marila) A,D,S---common

Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) A,D

Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) S---less numerous than usual; a few off Lowell Point Road o post dinner option

Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata) S----two flocks comprising 60 or so birds on our boat trip; close views

White-winged Scoter (Melanitta deglandi) D,S---one on the float plane lake along the denial Highway and a flock of 20 from the boat trip

Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) D---a few at the MP 206 pond south of Denali; uncommon

Barrow’s Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica) D,S---a pair of males along the Denali Highway, a female north of Seward and another male by Siri in Seward

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) S---flock of twenty from the boat and a few more by Siri in Seward

Gallinaceous Birds:

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 10 Grand Alaska Part II, 2021

Willow Ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus) D---superb studies in Denali National Park of a male along the roadside; uncommonly seen on the bus ride

Grebes:

Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena) A,S---common around Anchorage with many nests seen; #

Doves & Pigeons:

Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) A,S

Hummingbirds:

Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) S---a couple at Ava’s; only females seen this year

Cranes:

Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis) A,D---Potter Marsh & the Parks Highway

Sandpipers and Allies:

Hudsonian Godwit (Limosa haenastica) A—we had eleven at Westchester Lagoon on our second visit; uncommon

Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) D---one at the hawk owl spot won our hearts with his determined response; uncommon breeder

Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus) A---three at Potter Marsh

Wilson’s Snipe (Gallinago delicata) D,A,S---an adorable baby toddling along the highway near Summit Lake was voted the third favorite bird of the tour!; great spotting by Erik

Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus) A

Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria) D---pair at the hawk owl spot calling from trees!

Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) A,D---perched in trees!

Auks, Murres and Puffins:

Common Murre (Uria aalge) S---about 400 from the boat in Seward

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 11 Grand Alaska Part II, 2021 Thick-billed Murre (Uria lomvia) S---about 25 on the cliffs at the Chiswells; very uncommon

Pigeon Guillemot (Cepphus columba) S---15 or more on boat trip, plus one on Lowell Point Raod

Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) S---about 8 from the boat, plus one seen from Lowell Point Road

Kittlitz’s Murrelet (Brachyramphus brevirostris) S---excellent views of one near Anchor Glacier thanks to Gary & Emily, plus a group of four more a short while later; four years ago, we missed this species completely

Kittlitz’s Murrelet, Kenai Fjords NP, Alaska, June 22, 2021 ©Erik Bruhnke

Ancient Murrelet (Synthilboramphus antiquus) S---a pair right next to the boat was seen well by people on the right side of the bow; another pair in flight later on; very uncommon & easily missed

Parakeet Auklet (Aethia psittacula) S---good views of about 24, including some birds perched on the rocks; often missed entirely

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 12 Grand Alaska Part II, 2021 Rhinoceros Auklet (Cerorhinca monocerata) S---a really bad year for this species with only about seven total seen

Horned Puffin (Fratercula corniculata) S---about 300 seen; superb views, including a few birds on the cliffs

Tufted Puffin, Chiswell Islands, Alaska, June 22, 2021 ©Barry Zimmer

Tufted Puffin (Fratercula cirrhata) S----about 750 seen; at times, side-by-side with Horned Puffins; quite a few perched on rocks this year; voted the second favorite bird of the tour!

Gulls & Terns:

Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) S---literally thousands in Kenai Fjords; #

Mew Gull (Larus canus) seen daily in numbers; #

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) A,D---“American “ Herring Gull (smithsonianus); mostly around Anchorage; also several “Cook Inlet” Gulls (Herring x Glaucous-winged hybrids)

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Glaucous-winged Gull (Larus glaucescens) S---common around Seward

Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) A,G,S---repeated spectacular views of this elegant species; #

Loons:

Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata) D---three in Long Lake along the Parks Highway; uncommon

Common Loon (Gavia immer) S---our last new bird of the trip at Summit Lake; scarcer than usual

Shearwaters & Petrels:

Sooty/ Short-tailed Shearwater (Ardenna species) S----about five dark shearwaters were seen on the boat trip, but not well enough to confirm ID to one species or the other; uncommon

Cormorants:

Red-faced Cormorant (Phalacrocorax urile) S---the best year for this species in quite some time with about 8 seen, including one on a nest; this rapidly declining species was missed completely two of the previous five years

Pelagic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax pelagicus) S---about 30 on boat trip; #

Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) S

Hawks and Eagles:

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) S---only seen by one or two folks; generally very uncommon here

Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) D---five total with exceptional views in the national park

Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius) D---one along the Denali Highway

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) A,D,S---a minimum of 53 total with many excellent views; #

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) D,S----six total, all of the Harlan’s subspecies

Owls:

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 14 Grand Alaska Part II, 2021

Northern Hawk Owl (Surnia ulula) D---thanks to a tip from Jake, we had lengthy scope views on two occasions of a bird at MP 123 along the Denali Highway; though somewhat distant, we were happy to get this difficult, irregular species at all (I believe we have only seen it two of last six years); tied for fifth favorite bird of the tour!

Kingfishers:

Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) A---only by a few; uncommon

Woodpeckers:

American Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides dorsalis) D---close studies of a pair at the Sockeye Burn, thanks to Kevin & Brian!; very uncommon & low density

Black-backed Woodpecker (Picoides arcticus) D----a fortuitous sighting of this rare species flying back-and-forth across the Parks Highway; not expected

Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) A,D,S---seven total

Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus) D,S---nine total

Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) D----heard only along the Denali Highway

Tyrant Flycatchers:

Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi) D---heard only at the Sockeye Burn; very uncommon

Western Wood-Pewee (Contopus sordidulus) D----heard only at the Sockeye Burn

Alder Flycatcher (Empidonax almorum) D,A,S---eleven total

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Alder Flycatcher, Potter March, Alaska, June 17, 2021 ©Barry Zimmer

Crows, Jays and Magpies:

Canada Jay (Perisoreus canadensis) G,D---eleven total with nice views of adult and juvenile birds along the Denali Highway; formerly Gray Jay

Steller’s Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) S---from the Wells Fargo parking lot; darker, shorter crested race with dark blue spots on crest

Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) A,D,S---very common; the first bird of the tour; #

“Northwestern” Crow (Corvus caurinus) A,S---our first at the Alpine Bakery!; as of 2020, this is now lumped in with American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)

Common Raven (Corvus corax) daily; #

Chickadees and Titmice:

Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) A---one at the hotel in Anchorage our first and last days was, oddly, the only one of the trip

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 16 Grand Alaska Part II, 2021 Chestnut-backed Chickadee (Poecile rufescens) A,S---great views in Nash Woods the last morning of a group of 9 birds (a shish kabob for sure); the chestnut-sided subspecies rufescens; #

Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Seward, Alaska, June 23, 2021 ©Barry Zimmer

Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus) D---pair at the Sockeye Burn was very responsive, as was one along the Denali Highway; uncommon

Swallows:

Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) A,D,S---#

Violet-green Swallow (Tachycineta thalassina) A,D,S---excellent views of this beauty; #

Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) D,S

Leaf Warblers:

Arctic Warbler (Phylloscopus borealis) D---very responsive bird along the Denali Highway; this is a low density species on the west end of the Denali Highway and not easily found

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 17 Grand Alaska Part II, 2021

Kinglets:

Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa) A---great views at Nash Woods with crown erected

Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) D,S----some had their ruby crowns in full display!

Nuthatches:

Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta candensis) A,S---one at our hotel; five total

Dippers:

American Dipper (Cinclus mexicanus) S---wonderful family group of five birds provided close, prolonged views at Bear Creek; #

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Starlings:

European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) A---this species has increased dramatically in Anchorage over the past several years, and is now common; #

Thrushes and Allies:

Varied Thrush (Ixoreus naevius) D,S---ten total with especially memorable views along Lowell Point Road on a post dinner option; a great song in addition to being an awesome bird; voted the favorite bird of the tour for the second straight trip!

Gray-cheeked Thrush (Catharus minimus) D

Swainson’s Thrush (Catharus ustulatus) D---very good views at Kincaid Park in particular

Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) A,S---perhaps the best song in North America

American Robin (Turdus migratorius) almost daily

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 19 Grand Alaska Part II, 2021 Old World Flycatchers:

Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) D---quite unexpected was a bird spotted by Scott, our driver/ guide on the park tour, that was seen mostly by folks on the left side of the bus; although this species nest in high elevations of the park, it is seldom seen on bus tours

Waxwings:

Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulous) D---our first (and best) was a bird spotted by Sarah hawking insects over the MP 206 pond along the Parks Highway; we also had another fly by at the hawk owl spot; both birds only seen in flight; uncommon & irregular

Pipits:

American Pipit (Anthus rebescens) D---by some in the park

Finches and Allies:

Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator) S---wonderful views at Ava’s of males & females; six total; voted the third favorite bird of the tour!

Common Redpoll (Acanthis flammea) D---oddly, this species was heard only this year

White-winged Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera) D,S---a flyover pair at the Sockeye Burn, plus about five perched birds at Nash Woods; irregular

Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus) A,D,S

New World Sparrows:

Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca) D,S---“Sooty” birds (unalaschensis) around Seward---a possible future split; “Red” birds (zaboria) around Denali were heard only

American Tree Sparrow (Spizelloides arborea) D---heard only

Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) ,A,D,S---Slate-colored types

White-crowned Sparrow (Zonogrichia leucophrys) A,D,S

Golden-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia atricapilla) S---very responsive bird at Granite Creek

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Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) A

Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) S---nice looks at the big, dark coastal race kenaiensis

Lincoln’s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) A,D,S---very close views at Potter Marsh

Icterids:

Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) A----scope views of male at Potter Marsh; uncommon

Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) D---male at about MP 120 on Denali Highway; uncommon

New World Warblers:

Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) D---best at McKinley View Lodge

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 21 Grand Alaska Part II, 2021 Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata) D,A,S---several great studies

Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata) D---prolonged, close study along Parks Highway

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) A,S,D---Myrtle types

Townsend’s Warbler (Setophaga townsendii) A,S---superb views of this striking species; eight total; tied for fifth favorite bird of the tour!

Wilson’s Warbler (Cardellina pusilla) D,S total species – 111

FAVORITE BIRDS OF THE TOUR

1. Varied Thrush 2. Tufted Puffin

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 22 Grand Alaska Part II, 2021 3. Pine Grosbeak 4. Wilson’s Snipe (baby) 5. Northern Hawk Owl and Townsend’s Warbler tied

MAMMALS

Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) Arctic Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus parryii)---about ten in Denali NP Vole species Snowshoe Hare (Lepus americanus)-----scarce (only one seen) in Denali NP this year (they are very cyclic); also one near Seward Brown Bear (Grizzly) (Ursus arctos)---four total---a mother with two cubs of the year and another single; all were distant this year Steller’s Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus)---good views, but this species is declining at a ridiculous pace; maybe 20 total Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina)---particularly numerous around the glacier; at least 120 seen Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris)---great views of these cute critters on Lowell Point Road (from about 30 feet) and in Kenai Fjords; about 17 total individuals Moose (Alcas alces)---a total of 12 seen with several nice studies; one in Kincaid Park was ridiculously close (from about 15 feet away) as we were in the van! Caribou (Rangifer tarandus)---about 150 or so in Denali with many good views Mountain Goat (Oreamnus americanus)---twelve high above Tern Lake en route to Seward and four more from the boat in Cataract Cove Dall’s Sheep (Ovis dalli)---63 total split between Turnagain Arm (closest here) & Denali NP Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)-----only three total on our boat trip, but a mother and calf put on a great show with the calf breaching eight times right next to us! Killer Whale (Orca) (Orcinus orca)---loose pod of eight individuals on the way back into the harbor; great show! Beluga Whale (Delphinapterus leucas)---three spotted by Sarah in Turnagain Arm; first time on this tour in about twelve years or so total species – 15

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BUTTERFLIES

Canadian Swallowtail Cabbage White Arctic Fritillary total species – 3

SIGNIFICANT OTHERS

Blueberry (and apple) fritters at the Alpine bakery king crab, halibut, & salmon dinners all food at Ray’s, Glacier Brewhouse, Ginger, Jen’s and Apollo Denali (Mount McKinley)---basically in full view the morning we drove to Denali & again our morning on the Denali Highway; we had lunch at McKinley View Lodge while looking at Denali the whole time!; only 10% of June visitors see the whole mountain! The Adventures of Red Dog & Minnesota Hodag The parking ticket incident

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Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 25 Grand Alaska Part II, 2021