A great blue heron stands near the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal. (Courtesy Photo | Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

A great blue heron stands near the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal. (Courtesy Photo | Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

Wild Shots: Photos of Mother Nature in Alaska

Reader-submitted photos.

Submit your Wild Shots!

The Empire Outdoors page is looking for superb images of Alaska’s wildlife, scenery or plant life. Send your photos to: Outdoors Editor, outdoors@juneauempire.com. For all photos include the name of the photographer, a description of what is shown in the picture, when it was taken and any other pertinent information. Images will run as space allows.

[To see a collection of over 100 photos taken by readers in 2019 and 2020, click here.]

A common merganser swims in a salt chuck by Amalga Harbor. (Courtesy Photo | Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

A common merganser swims in a salt chuck by Amalga Harbor. (Courtesy Photo | Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

A wild geranium grows somewhere Out the Road, June 23, 2020. (Courtesy Photo | Gary Miller)

A wild geranium grows somewhere Out the Road, June 23, 2020. (Courtesy Photo | Gary Miller)

“Mom is back” writes Tom Wagner. This photo shows an eaglet and eagle near Judy Street. (Courtesy Photo | Tom Wagner)

“Mom is back” writes Tom Wagner. This photo shows an eaglet and eagle near Judy Street. (Courtesy Photo | Tom Wagner)

A sooty grouse seen in Half Moon Meadow. (Courtesy Photo | Denise Carroll)

A sooty grouse seen in Half Moon Meadow. (Courtesy Photo | Denise Carroll)

Rufus hummingbird is photographed through a window as it perches on a bird feeder. (Courtesy Photo | Carolyn Kelley)

Rufus hummingbird is photographed through a window as it perches on a bird feeder. (Courtesy Photo | Carolyn Kelley)

“This is my friend, ‘Yardbird,’ writes David Athearn. “Tonight he was making sure I made it all the way to the water with my discarded fish scraps. I have had the ‘Don’t feed wildlife’ talk with him, but hope springs eternal.” (Courtesy Photo | David Athearn)

“This is my friend, ‘Yardbird,’ writes David Athearn. “Tonight he was making sure I made it all the way to the water with my discarded fish scraps. I have had the ‘Don’t feed wildlife’ talk with him, but hope springs eternal.” (Courtesy Photo | David Athearn)

A Lincoln sparrow rests on lupine on the trail at the end of Industrial Blvd. June 12, 2020. (Courtesy Photo | Carolyn Kelley)

A Lincoln sparrow rests on lupine on the trail at the end of Industrial Blvd. June 12, 2020. (Courtesy Photo | Carolyn Kelley)

Off Windfall Lake Trail, Herbert River Wetlands, Tongass National Forest. (Courtesy Photo | Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

Off Windfall Lake Trail, Herbert River Wetlands, Tongass National Forest. (Courtesy Photo | Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

A Lincoln’s sparrow sings with Lupine on the Mendenhall Wetlands. (Courtesy Photo | Kenneth Gill, gilfoto)

A Lincoln’s sparrow sings with Lupine on the Mendenhall Wetlands. (Courtesy Photo | Kenneth Gill, gilfoto)

Granite Creek basin is seen with Mount Olds way in the background on Wednesday, June 17, 2020. (Courtesy Photo | Denise Carroll)

Granite Creek basin is seen with Mount Olds way in the background on Wednesday, June 17, 2020. (Courtesy Photo | Denise Carroll)

An eagle perches on a deck at Tee Harbor, Sunday, June 14, 2020. (Courtesy Photo | Johanna Smith)

An eagle perches on a deck at Tee Harbor, Sunday, June 14, 2020. (Courtesy Photo | Johanna Smith)

Blue poppies bloom at the Shrine of Saint Therese in this photo shared Tuesday, June 16, 2020. (Courtesy Photo | Cathy Squires)

Blue poppies bloom at the Shrine of Saint Therese in this photo shared Tuesday, June 16, 2020. (Courtesy Photo | Cathy Squires)

A male American robin feeds four chicks in this photo shared Monday, June 15. (Courtesy Photo | Kenneth Gill, gilfoto)

A male American robin feeds four chicks in this photo shared Monday, June 15. (Courtesy Photo | Kenneth Gill, gilfoto)

Take a look at this bee’s-eye view inside an Oriental poppy in a Highlands garden on Sunday, June 14, 2020. (Courtesy Photo | Denise Carroll)

Take a look at this bee’s-eye view inside an Oriental poppy in a Highlands garden on Sunday, June 14, 2020. (Courtesy Photo | Denise Carroll)

The bright colors of this western columbine contrast with the surrounding greenery in this photo shared Wednesday, June 17, 2020. (Courtesy Photo | Deborah Rudis)

The bright colors of this western columbine contrast with the surrounding greenery in this photo shared Wednesday, June 17, 2020. (Courtesy Photo | Deborah Rudis)

A bald eagle reacts after being harassed while eating a fish in Tee Harbor, Friday, June 19. (Courtesy Photo | David Athearn)

A bald eagle reacts after being harassed while eating a fish in Tee Harbor, Friday, June 19. (Courtesy Photo | David Athearn)

Ebner Falls, part of a turbulent Gold Creek, can be seen on Wednesday, June 17, 2020. (Courtesy Photo | Denise Carroll)

Ebner Falls, part of a turbulent Gold Creek, can be seen on Wednesday, June 17, 2020. (Courtesy Photo | Denise Carroll)

A seal lounges at Tracy Arm on Tuesday, June 9, 2020. (Courtesy Photo | Aaron Standerwick)

A seal lounges at Tracy Arm on Tuesday, June 9, 2020. (Courtesy Photo | Aaron Standerwick)

A wood duck stands on a branch June 10, 2020, at Rotary Park. (Courtesy Photo | Carolyn Kelley)

A wood duck stands on a branch June 10, 2020, at Rotary Park. (Courtesy Photo | Carolyn Kelley)

An adult eagle perches on top of Bar Harbor boat ramp Zero. June 6, 2020. (Courtesy Photo | Sean D. Enright)

An adult eagle perches on top of Bar Harbor boat ramp Zero. June 6, 2020. (Courtesy Photo | Sean D. Enright)

American red squirrel eats a pine cone “Out the Road.” (Courtesy Photo | Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

American red squirrel eats a pine cone “Out the Road.” (Courtesy Photo | Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

This beach grass seen June 12 on Dupont Beach resembles a colorful porcupine, according to Denise Carroll. (Courtesy Photo | Denise Carroll)

This beach grass seen June 12 on Dupont Beach resembles a colorful porcupine, according to Denise Carroll. (Courtesy Photo | Denise Carroll)

Little Sheep Creek Falls along Dupont trail is seen in this June 12, 2020 photo. (Courtesy Photo | Denise Carroll)

Little Sheep Creek Falls along Dupont trail is seen in this June 12, 2020 photo. (Courtesy Photo | Denise Carroll)

Hardy buttercups survive harsh weather on June 12 on a large Dupont Beach rock. (Courtesy Photo | Denise Carroll)

Hardy buttercups survive harsh weather on June 12 on a large Dupont Beach rock. (Courtesy Photo | Denise Carroll)

Alium can be seen in full bloom in this June 9 photo taken in a garden in the downtown flats. (Courtesy Photo | Denise Carroll)

Alium can be seen in full bloom in this June 9 photo taken in a garden in the downtown flats. (Courtesy Photo | Denise Carroll)

The sun sets on Hoonah Harbor in this photo shared June 9. (Courtesy Photo | Jim Sepel)

The sun sets on Hoonah Harbor in this photo shared June 9. (Courtesy Photo | Jim Sepel)

An iron wheel relic can be seen on a beach at Treadwell Cave In cove, Douglas. (Courtesy Photo | Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

An iron wheel relic can be seen on a beach at Treadwell Cave In cove, Douglas. (Courtesy Photo | Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

A red breasted sapsucker is seen just off Sandy Beach, Douglas. (Courtesy Photo | Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

A red breasted sapsucker is seen just off Sandy Beach, Douglas. (Courtesy Photo | Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

These mallards were seen June 10, 2020, at Rotary Park. “I like their coloring even though they are common,” writes Carolyn Kelley. (Courtesy Photo | Carolyn Kelley)

These mallards were seen June 10, 2020, at Rotary Park. “I like their coloring even though they are common,” writes Carolyn Kelley. (Courtesy Photo | Carolyn Kelley)

Interesting patterns can be seen on Dupont beach rocks in this June 12, 2020 photo. (Courtesy Photo | Denise Carroll)

Interesting patterns can be seen on Dupont beach rocks in this June 12, 2020 photo. (Courtesy Photo | Denise Carroll)

Yellow lilies were seen June 2, 2020 along Dredge Lake trails. (Courtesy Photo | Carolyn Kelley)

Yellow lilies were seen June 2, 2020 along Dredge Lake trails. (Courtesy Photo | Carolyn Kelley)

A juvenile Bald Eagle flies by a seafood processor, Juneau, Alaska. (Courtesy Photo | Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

A juvenile Bald Eagle flies by a seafood processor, Juneau, Alaska. (Courtesy Photo | Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

Sunlight illuminates lupine near Lemon Creek, Juneau, Alaska. (Courtesy Photo | Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

Sunlight illuminates lupine near Lemon Creek, Juneau, Alaska. (Courtesy Photo | Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

Bear cub paw print can be seen in the mud in Cowee Meadow on May 30. (Courtesy Photo | Denise Carroll)

Bear cub paw print can be seen in the mud in Cowee Meadow on May 30. (Courtesy Photo | Denise Carroll)

The blooming wildflowers in Cowee meadow resemble a Monet painting on May 30. (Courtesy Photo | Denise Carroll)

The blooming wildflowers in Cowee meadow resemble a Monet painting on May 30. (Courtesy Photo | Denise Carroll)

This is the view during low tide view in Point Bridget State Park on May 30. (Courtesy Photo | Denise Carroll)

This is the view during low tide view in Point Bridget State Park on May 30. (Courtesy Photo | Denise Carroll)

Yellow Transparent apple blossoms can be seen in this photo taken June 1, 2020. (Courtesy Photo | Gary Miller)

Yellow Transparent apple blossoms can be seen in this photo taken June 1, 2020. (Courtesy Photo | Gary Miller)

The sun paints the sky gold in this photo. “I dedicate these pictures to my mom, Shawn Wilson,” writes photographer Joseph Sypeck. (Courtesy Photo | Joseph Sypeck)

The sun paints the sky gold in this photo. “I dedicate these pictures to my mom, Shawn Wilson,” writes photographer Joseph Sypeck. (Courtesy Photo | Joseph Sypeck)

Another brilliantly colored Juneau sky can be seen in this photo dedicated to Shawn Wilson. (Courtesy Photo | Joseph Sypeck)

Another brilliantly colored Juneau sky can be seen in this photo dedicated to Shawn Wilson. (Courtesy Photo | Joseph Sypeck)

A glacier bear pursues a larger black bear on May 28, 2020. The black bear eventually took refuge by climbing 20 feet up a tree. (Courtesy Photo | Steve Parker)

A glacier bear pursues a larger black bear on May 28, 2020. The black bear eventually took refuge by climbing 20 feet up a tree. (Courtesy Photo | Steve Parker)

A pillar of ice collapses and calves off of the Margerie glacier on May 27 in Glacier Bay. (Courtesy Photo | Steve Parker)

A pillar of ice collapses and calves off of the Margerie glacier on May 27 in Glacier Bay. (Courtesy Photo | Steve Parker)

Mountain Goat stands near Glacier Bay on May 26. (Courtesy Photo | Steve Parker)

Mountain Goat stands near Glacier Bay on May 26. (Courtesy Photo | Steve Parker)

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