Orcas swim near the the shore of Kupreanof Island on April 26. (Courtesy Photo / Joe Sebastian)

Orcas swim near the the shore of Kupreanof Island on April 26. (Courtesy Photo / Joe Sebastian)

Wild Shots: Photos of Mother Nature in Alaska

Wild Shots: Photos of Mother Nature in Alaska

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 editor@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. Images with watermarks cannot be published.

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

[To see Wild Shots for June 2020, click here.]

[To see Wild Shots for July and August 2020, click here]

[To see Wild Shots for late August and September 2020, click here]

[To see Wild Shots from late September and October 2020, click here]

To see Wild Shots from November and early December 2020, click here]

[To see Wild Shots from December 2020, January 2021 and February 2021, click here]

[To see Wild Shots from February 2021 through March 2021, click here]

[To see Wild Shots from April, May and June 2021, click here]

[To see Wild Shots from July and August 2021, click here]

[To see Wild Shots from August through October 2021, click here]

[To see Wild Shots from November through December 2021, click here]

[To see Wild Shots from late December 2021 through February 2022, click here]

This photo shows the Mendenhall Glacier on Saturday, April 30, along the Nugget Falls Trail. (Courtesy Photo / Deana Barajas)

This photo shows the Mendenhall Glacier on Saturday, April 30, along the Nugget Falls Trail. (Courtesy Photo / Deana Barajas)

A golden-crowned sparrow visits garden out at 15 mile. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

A golden-crowned sparrow visits garden out at 15 mile. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

Dewy poisonous baneberries seen in the meadow off the Horse Tram Trail on April 27 . (Courtesy Photo / Denise Carroll)

Dewy poisonous baneberries seen in the meadow off the Horse Tram Trail on April 27 . (Courtesy Photo / Denise Carroll)

“That time of year - Slow down for Wildlife,” writes Kenneth Gill of this photo taken near the Auke Recreation area. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

“That time of year – Slow down for Wildlife,” writes Kenneth Gill of this photo taken near the Auke Recreation area. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

A Steller’s jay on Chicken Ridge seen on April 28. (Courtesy Photo / Denise Carroll)

A Steller’s jay on Chicken Ridge seen on April 28. (Courtesy Photo / Denise Carroll)

Orcas swim near the the shore of Kupreanof Island on April 26. (Courtesy Photo / Joe Sebastian)

Orcas swim near the the shore of Kupreanof Island on April 26. (Courtesy Photo / Joe Sebastian)

This photo shows a mountain bluebird on the Wetlands on April 19. (Courtesy Photo / Cynthia Donaldson)

This photo shows a mountain bluebird on the Wetlands on April 19. (Courtesy Photo / Cynthia Donaldson)

This photo shows the pre-dawn view from Kupreanof Island. (Courtesy Photo / Joe Sebastian)

This photo shows the pre-dawn view from Kupreanof Island. (Courtesy Photo / Joe Sebastian)

This photo was taken along the Salmon Creek Dam Trail. (Courtesy Photo / Deana Barajas)

This photo was taken along the Salmon Creek Dam Trail. (Courtesy Photo / Deana Barajas)

The beavers are busy on the shore of Mendenhall lake. (Courtesy Photo / Denise Carroll)

The beavers are busy on the shore of Mendenhall lake. (Courtesy Photo / Denise Carroll)

The ski run coming down from the Ptarmigan Chairlift on April 20. (Courtesy Photo / Denise Carroll)

The ski run coming down from the Ptarmigan Chairlift on April 20. (Courtesy Photo / Denise Carroll)

Western gulls on Rock Peninsula overlooking lightly frozen Mendenhall Lake. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

Western gulls on Rock Peninsula overlooking lightly frozen Mendenhall Lake. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

This photo shows the northern lights over Juneau. Photo taken April 13,2022. (Courtesy Photo / Jack Beedle)

This photo shows the northern lights over Juneau. Photo taken April 13,2022. (Courtesy Photo / Jack Beedle)

This photo shows the North Douglas forest with Admiralty Island National Monument snow covered peaks. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

This photo shows the North Douglas forest with Admiralty Island National Monument snow covered peaks. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

This photo shows the Mendenhall Glacier. (Courtesy Photo / Linda Bergman)

This photo shows the Mendenhall Glacier. (Courtesy Photo / Linda Bergman)

This photo was taken on the Bluff Trail at the end of North Douglas. (Courtesy Photo / Deana Barajas)

This photo was taken on the Bluff Trail at the end of North Douglas. (Courtesy Photo / Deana Barajas)

A pigeon guillemot paddles in between docks, Gastineau Channel, Juneau. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

A pigeon guillemot paddles in between docks, Gastineau Channel, Juneau. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

This photo shows “snow creatures at Eaglecrest,” writes Deborah Rudis. (Courtesy Photo / Deborah Rudis)

This photo shows “snow creatures at Eaglecrest,” writes Deborah Rudis. (Courtesy Photo / Deborah Rudis)

Blushing spring crocus seen near Centennial Hall on April 10, 2022. (Courtesy Photo / Denise Carroll)

Blushing spring crocus seen near Centennial Hall on April 10, 2022. (Courtesy Photo / Denise Carroll)

This photo was taken in early April on the Point Bridget Trail. (Courtesy Photo / Deana Barajas)

This photo was taken in early April on the Point Bridget Trail. (Courtesy Photo / Deana Barajas)

Two swans in Cowee Creek pause to have their photo taken on April 8, 2022. (Courtesy Photo / Denise Carroll)

Two swans in Cowee Creek pause to have their photo taken on April 8, 2022. (Courtesy Photo / Denise Carroll)

This photo shows reflections as seen from the Mendenhall wetlands trail on March 27. (Courtesy Photo / Denise Carroll)

Two swans in Cowee Creek pause to have their photo taken on April 8, 2022. (Courtesy Photo / Denise Carroll)

This photo was taken April 6 at Eaglecrest. (Courtesy Photo / Ben Ng)

This photo was taken April 6 at Eaglecrest. (Courtesy Photo / Ben Ng)

This photo shows a pair of mallards on the bank of the Mendenhall River on April 6. (Courtesy Photo / David Athearn)

This photo shows a pair of mallards on the bank of the Mendenhall River on April 6. (Courtesy Photo / David Athearn)

Spring is in the air, a crocus from out the road. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

Spring is in the air, a crocus from out the road. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

“Wow! Juneau sure is beautiful when the sun shines,” writes Bill Andrews of this April 4 photo. (Courtesy Photo / Bill Andrews)

“Wow! Juneau sure is beautiful when the sun shines,” writes Bill Andrews of this April 4 photo. (Courtesy Photo / Bill Andrews)

A riot of color among the crocus at Centennial hall seen on April 3. (Courtesy Photo / Denise Carroll)

A riot of color among the crocus at Centennial hall seen on April 3. (Courtesy Photo / Denise Carroll)

This photo shows Kettle Pond on a recent sunny day. (Courtesy Photo / Larry Johansen)

This photo shows Kettle Pond on a recent sunny day. (Courtesy Photo / Larry Johansen)

This photo was taken along the way to Point Bridget. (Courtesy Photo / Deborah Rudis)

This photo was taken along the way to Point Bridget. (Courtesy Photo / Deborah Rudis)

This photo shows the view from Kupreanof Island. (Courtesy Photo / Joe Sebastian)

This photo shows the view from Kupreanof Island. (Courtesy Photo / Joe Sebastian)

This photo shows a Lapland longspur, (breeding color) on the Mendenhall Wildlife Game Refuge, Juneau, Southeast Alaska. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

This photo shows a Lapland longspur, (breeding color) on the Mendenhall Wildlife Game Refuge, Juneau, Southeast Alaska. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

The sunrise is reflected off the water at the North Douglas boat ramp on March 27. (Courtesy Photo / Bill Andrews)

The sunrise is reflected off the water at the North Douglas boat ramp on March 27. (Courtesy Photo / Bill Andrews)

A spiral of stones lies in front of Nugget Falls. (Courtesy Photo / Shammy Perdon)

A spiral of stones lies in front of Nugget Falls. (Courtesy Photo / Shammy Perdon)

Skunk cabbage: The first sign of spring as seen at Norway Point on March 30. (Courtesy Photo / Denise Carroll)

Skunk cabbage: The first sign of spring as seen at Norway Point on March 30. (Courtesy Photo / Denise Carroll)

A sprinkle of rain on a seemingly blue sky day brings a rainbow to the Lemon Creek area on March 26. (Courtesy Photo / Denise Carroll)

A sprinkle of rain on a seemingly blue sky day brings a rainbow to the Lemon Creek area on March 26. (Courtesy Photo / Denise Carroll)

Jack Beedle snapped this photo of the aurora borealis over Thunder Mountain on Monday. (Courtesy Photo / Jack Beedle)

Jack Beedle snapped this photo of the aurora borealis over Thunder Mountain on Monday. (Courtesy Photo / Jack Beedle)

Canada geese fly on March 9 at Mendenhall Wetlands. (Courtesy Photo / Carolyn Kelley)

Canada geese fly on March 9 at Mendenhall Wetlands. (Courtesy Photo / Carolyn Kelley)

This photo taken on a recent weekend shows layers of snow along a creek at Eaglecrest. (Courtesy Photo / Deborah Rudis)

This photo taken on a recent weekend shows layers of snow along a creek at Eaglecrest. (Courtesy Photo / Deborah Rudis)

A sudden break in the cloud cover highlights the top of snow-capped Mount Juneau. (Courtesy Photo / Denise Carroll)

A sudden break in the cloud cover highlights the top of snow-capped Mount Juneau. (Courtesy Photo / Denise Carroll)

Swabs were seen at the Eagle Beach picnic area on March 25. (Courtesy Photo / Gary Miller)

Swabs were seen at the Eagle Beach picnic area on March 25. (Courtesy Photo / Gary Miller)

“It was good to see the top of Mount Jumbo after so many days of grayness and rain,” writes Denise Carroll. (Courtesy Photo / Denise Carroll)

“It was good to see the top of Mount Jumbo after so many days of grayness and rain,” writes Denise Carroll. (Courtesy Photo / Denise Carroll)

Early blossoming butterbur is a shrub whose leaves grow to the size of elephant ears on March 11. (Courtesy Photo / Denise Carroll)

Early blossoming butterbur is a shrub whose leaves grow to the size of elephant ears on March 11. (Courtesy Photo / Denise Carroll)

The USCGC Cutter John F. McCormic, docked in Juneau on March 17. (Courtesy Photo / Rob Welton)

The USCGC Cutter John F. McCormic, docked in Juneau on March 17. (Courtesy Photo / Rob Welton)

From the trail up Mount Roberts we hear and see a long narrow avalanche cascade down Mount Juneau on March 12. (Courtesy Photo / Denise Carroll)

From the trail up Mount Roberts we hear and see a long narrow avalanche cascade down Mount Juneau on March 12. (Courtesy Photo / Denise Carroll)

Lichens offers a warm winter coat to this conifer located near the tram on March 12. (Courtesy Photo / Denise Carroll)

Lichens offers a warm winter coat to this conifer located near the tram on March 12. (Courtesy Photo / Denise Carroll)

A Canada goose keeps watch as others rest, Mendenhall Wetlands State Game Refuge. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

A Canada goose keeps watch as others rest, Mendenhall Wetlands State Game Refuge. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

This photo shows the waterfront by Outer Point Trail on North Douglas on March 6. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

This photo shows the waterfront by Outer Point Trail on North Douglas on March 6. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

Pussy willows abound on the trail to Nugget Falls on March 5. (Courtesy Photo / Denise Carroll)

Pussy willows abound on the trail to Nugget Falls on March 5. (Courtesy Photo / Denise Carroll)

A large group of Sea Lions (15 of which did not fit in picture) Fritz Cove by North Douglas, Southeast Alaska. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

A large group of Sea Lions (15 of which did not fit in picture) Fritz Cove by North Douglas, Southeast Alaska. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

Snow-capped mountains and ridges seen from Point Bridget State Park on March 9. (Courtesy Photo / Denise Carroll)

Snow-capped mountains and ridges seen from Point Bridget State Park on March 9. (Courtesy Photo / Denise Carroll)

Crocus are up in a Gold Street garden on March 12. (Courtesy Photo / Denise Carroll)

Crocus are up in a Gold Street garden on March 12. (Courtesy Photo / Denise Carroll)

This photo was taken on March 8 on the Kingfisher Pond trail. (Courtesy Photo / Deana Barajas)

This photo was taken on March 8 on the Kingfisher Pond trail. (Courtesy Photo / Deana Barajas)

This photo was taken on March 8 on the Kingfisher Pond trail. (Courtesy Photo / Deana Barajas)

This photo was taken on March 8 on the Kingfisher Pond trail. (Courtesy Photo / Deana Barajas)

This photo shows the view from the Ptarmigan Lift at Eaglecrest on a recent sunny day. (Courtesy Photo / Deborah Rudis)

This photo shows the view from the Ptarmigan Lift at Eaglecrest on a recent sunny day. (Courtesy Photo / Deborah Rudis)

“Lovely morning to be out on the Mendenhall Wetlands,” wrote Bill Andrews of this March 3 photo. (Courtesy Photo / Bill Andrews)

“Lovely morning to be out on the Mendenhall Wetlands,” wrote Bill Andrews of this March 3 photo. (Courtesy Photo / Bill Andrews)

This photo shows a sunny day at Eagle Beach State Park. (Courtesy Photo / Deborah Rudis)

This photo shows a sunny day at Eagle Beach State Park. (Courtesy Photo / Deborah Rudis)

A surf scoter cruises through the downtown boat harbor on March 4. (Courtesy Photo / Denise Carroll)

A surf scoter cruises through the downtown boat harbor on March 4. (Courtesy Photo / Denise Carroll)

Snap, crackle, pop! As temps warm, ice on Twin Lakes begins to fracture on March 3. (Courtesy Photo / Denise Carroll)

Snap, crackle, pop! As temps warm, ice on Twin Lakes begins to fracture on March 3. (Courtesy Photo / Denise Carroll)

This photo was taken in the mud flats area of North Douglas. (Courtesy Photo / Elizabeth Jennings)

This photo was taken in the mud flats area of North Douglas. (Courtesy Photo / Elizabeth Jennings)

This photo was taken along the Switzer Loop Trail on Feb. 19, 2022. (Courtesy Photo / Deana Barajas)

This photo was taken along the Switzer Loop Trail on Feb. 19, 2022. (Courtesy Photo / Deana Barajas)

This photo was taken in the mud flats area of North Douglas. (Courtesy Photo / Elizabeth Jennings)

This photo was taken in the mud flats area of North Douglas. (Courtesy Photo / Elizabeth Jennings)

This photo was taken along the Switzer Loop Trail on Feb. 19, 2022. (Courtesy Photo / Deana Barajas)

This photo was taken along the Switzer Loop Trail on Feb. 19, 2022. (Courtesy Photo / Deana Barajas)

This photo shows the view from Eagle Beach looking across to Mount Golub emerging through the cloud, with Lincoln Island in the foreground. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

This photo shows the view from Eagle Beach looking across to Mount Golub emerging through the cloud, with Lincoln Island in the foreground. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)