Home2

James Varsos, also known as “Hobo Jim,” poses for a photo during the August 2016, Funny River Festival in Funny River, Alaska, in August 2016. (Peninsula Clarion file)
James Varsos, also known as “Hobo Jim,” poses for a photo during the August 2016, Funny River Festival in Funny River, Alaska, in August 2016. (Peninsula Clarion file)
Lucas White (21) and two other Huskies take down a player from Dimond High School on Saturday, Aug. 21. Juneau coach Rich Sjoroos said solid tackling by White and others played a major role in the Huskie's 27-14 win against Bartlett High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Lucas White (21) and two other Huskies take down a player from Dimond High School on Saturday, Aug. 21. Juneau coach Rich Sjoroos said solid tackling by White and others played a major role in the Huskie's 27-14 win against Bartlett High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
The author managed to take a grouse despite being deep in thought for a good half hour of his deer hunt. He made jalapeno poppers that night.
Internal dialogue of a hunter (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

I Went to the Woods: The internal dialogue of a hunter

There is always something that comes to mind when I am outside.

The author managed to take a grouse despite being deep in thought for a good half hour of his deer hunt. He made jalapeno poppers that night.
Internal dialogue of a hunter (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)
This porcupine stubbornly refused to abandon its leafy lunch entirely, and went right back to it when we passed by. (Courtesy Photo / David Bergeson)

On the Trails: Here and there in August

These observations ’mite’ interest you.

  • Sep 14, 2021
  • By Mary F. Willson
This porcupine stubbornly refused to abandon its leafy lunch entirely, and went right back to it when we passed by. (Courtesy Photo / David Bergeson)
A yellow slime mold is an aggregation of separate cells that came together to reproduce; this one engulfs several plant stems. (Courtesy Photo / Mary F. Willson)

On the Trails: A good morning in the meadows

Yellow sun and slime mold.

A yellow slime mold is an aggregation of separate cells that came together to reproduce; this one engulfs several plant stems. (Courtesy Photo / Mary F. Willson)
True gratitude is being able to look at a fishless afternoon and be content. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

I Went to the Woods: Feeling gratitude, even for wet socks

Maybe it’s my duty as a human to enjoy doing simple things that many take for granted.

True gratitude is being able to look at a fishless afternoon and be content. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)
This photo shows a handful of thimbleberries. (Vivian Faith Prescott / For the Capital City Weekly)

Planet Alaska: The way to the thimbleberry patch

These tart and sweet berries resemble a small red thimble.

This photo shows a handful of thimbleberries. (Vivian Faith Prescott / For the Capital City Weekly)
A starry flounder in the intertidal zone shows its distinctive black bars on dorsal and anal fins. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)
Video

On the Trails: Learning more about starry flounder

Rounding out knowledge of a flat fish.

  • Aug 10, 2021
  • By Mary F. Willson
A starry flounder in the intertidal zone shows its distinctive black bars on dorsal and anal fins. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)
Video
The author expresses a look of...something on a perfect early morning of deer season. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

I Went to the Woods: When the bucks win

Not basketball.

The author expresses a look of...something on a perfect early morning of deer season. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)
Fireweed flowers have narrow, dark pink sepals between the wide, paler-pink petals, possibly making an added attraction. (Courtesy Photo / Kerry Howard)

On the Trails: The making of a flower

Pistils at dawn.

Fireweed flowers have narrow, dark pink sepals between the wide, paler-pink petals, possibly making an added attraction. (Courtesy Photo / Kerry Howard)
Mollie Walsh, seen here in “cabinet card” photograph from 1894 at age 25 in Butte, Montana, is the subject of a biography by Art Petersen who said Walsh’s life is the story of the Klondike Gold Rush. But, Petersen said, there was quite a lot of fact to be sorted from the fictions recorded about Walsh’s life. (James Schultz / Courtesy of Richard Gibson via Art Petersen)
Mollie Walsh, seen here in “cabinet card” photograph from 1894 at age 25 in Butte, Montana, is the subject of a biography by Art Petersen who said Walsh’s life is the story of the Klondike Gold Rush. But, Petersen said, there was quite a lot of fact to be sorted from the fictions recorded about Walsh’s life. (James Schultz / Courtesy of Richard Gibson via Art Petersen)
This photo shows Sitka, Alaska. (Courtesy Photo / Bethany Sonsini Goodrich)
This photo shows Sitka, Alaska. (Courtesy Photo / Bethany Sonsini Goodrich)
teaser
Video

On the Trails: Bears and bugs in summer

Insects? For a big critter like a bear? Sure.

  • Jul 20, 2021
  • By Mary F. Willson For the Juneau Empire
teaser
Video
Tree trunks that La Perouse Glacier in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve ran over in the 19th century. (Courtesy Photo/ Ned Rozell)

Visit to glacier begins with wildlife encounter

Many bears, fallingf blue ice and a first taste of peanut butter for a thumb-sized bird.

Tree trunks that La Perouse Glacier in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve ran over in the 19th century. (Courtesy Photo/ Ned Rozell)
Colorful pinesap stems rise up, flower buds still pendant;  the plant lacks chlorophyll and depends on other plants for nutrition. (Courtesy Photo / Kathy Hocker)

On the Trails: No problem finding at least 3 interesting things on this trip

The sights and sounds on the Boy Scout/Crow Point Trail.

Colorful pinesap stems rise up, flower buds still pendant;  the plant lacks chlorophyll and depends on other plants for nutrition. (Courtesy Photo / Kathy Hocker)
Cooley’s buttercup is one of the early flowers to bloom on Mount Roberts. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)

On the Trails: Summer comes in Juneau

What a difference those 10 days made!

Cooley’s buttercup is one of the early flowers to bloom on Mount Roberts. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)
Artwork by Christine Lewis, like the the painting seen here, will be featured at Juneau Artists Gallery for July. Lewis, who is this month's featured artist, will be present at the gallery for First Friday. The work will be exhibited throughout the month.  (Courtesy Photo / Christine Lewis)
Artwork by Christine Lewis, like the the painting seen here, will be featured at Juneau Artists Gallery for July. Lewis, who is this month's featured artist, will be present at the gallery for First Friday. The work will be exhibited throughout the month.  (Courtesy Photo / Christine Lewis)
The author's wife releases a Kenai River rainbow trout during the first day of their honeymoon on the Kenai Peninsula. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

I Went to the Woods: Sometimes the end comes without fish

Sometimes despite all the colors and sizes of flies in your box, it’s probably not going to happen.

  • Jun 30, 2021
The author's wife releases a Kenai River rainbow trout during the first day of their honeymoon on the Kenai Peninsula. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)
A hummingbird carving marks a site on Grave Island against the backdrop of the Tlingit community of Kake. (Courtesy Photo / Lione Clare)

Resilient Peoples & Place: Youth support community through summer workforce and leadership development program

By Lione Clare with the Kake Alaska Youth Stewards Crew In the Tlingit community of Keex’ Kwaan (Kake), early summer is in full swing. It’s… Continue reading

A hummingbird carving marks a site on Grave Island against the backdrop of the Tlingit community of Kake. (Courtesy Photo / Lione Clare)
A bear cub perches high in a cottonwood tree.(Courtesy Photo / Kerry Howard)

On the Trails: Seeing bears and woodpeckers in the trees

Furry bears, hairy woodpeckers.

A bear cub perches high in a cottonwood tree.(Courtesy Photo / Kerry Howard)