Very busy backyard today.

Mom and baby moose were back for a visit. They both look healthy. Then a bit later, Boo-boo came by for a dandelion snack. Click on an image to view full-screen.

Solstice in Denali 2026

Devany was in Chicago for a conference, so I got to do a quick solo trip to Denali for Solstice. It was crazy hot, 80º the first day I got there. Way too hot to see many critters. Did a quick ride on the bike to East Fork and back before late afternoon thunderstorms moved in. I got back to the RV just before the heavy rain started. Rode out later that night and there was thick wildfire smoke coming into the park from lightning strike caused fires that required the evacuation of Anderson, which is about 100 miles from the park.

The rest of the 4 days played out pretty much the same. High temperatures for the first 3 days, few animals and then heavy rain in the afternoon for a while, followed by clearing.

Did get to see a couple of close bears while on the bike, which is always fun. The mosquitoes and no-seeums in the Teklanika campground weren’t so much fun—the worst I can remember in many years. Anyway, come along for the ride. Click on an image for full-screen and cursor over the picture and the caption will tell the story.

Mom and baby moose back for a visit.

They’ve been in the backyard, or down at our bog pond, all day. I’ve got stuff to do outside, but don’t want to disturb them. It’s pretty obvious we’ve become their safe place to hang out, eat, and sleep. Love it.

First bear and baby moose in the yard this year.

It’s been very busy in our yard last night and today. One of the local cinnamon colored black bears—probably a year old—came by last night to eat the fresh horsetail. Today, mama moose and the first baby of the year in our backyard. Love seeing them. Click on an image for full-screen.