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HP Marshall of Boise State University takes a photo of Alaska’s North Slope north of the Brooks Range during a snow survey as part of a NASA experiment. (Courtesy Photo / Sveta Stuefer)

Alaska Science Forum: Dozens descend upon Alaska to measure snow

“We would like to be able to map the water-equivalent (in snow) globally.”

HP Marshall of Boise State University takes a photo of Alaska’s North Slope north of the Brooks Range during a snow survey as part of a NASA experiment. (Courtesy Photo / Sveta Stuefer)
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I Went to the Woods: Booking a bargain

The cheapest hotel in the line was on the end next to a bus stop with an advertisement proclaiming that syphilis was making a comeback… Continue reading

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Female mosquitoes have complex mouthparts, with toothy maxillae that saw a hole in the host, an injection tube for saliva, and another tube for sucking up blood. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)

On the Trails: Blood-eaters of the animal kingdom

Eating liquid blood is a moderately popular way of life in the animal kingdom.

Female mosquitoes have complex mouthparts, with toothy maxillae that saw a hole in the host, an injection tube for saliva, and another tube for sucking up blood. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)
The sun sets over the Pacific Ocean on the west coast of Costa Rica in Central America. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Stranger in a rich land of winter life

Things an Alaskan notices while standing on a road in Costa Rica…

The sun sets over the Pacific Ocean on the west coast of Costa Rica in Central America. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)
Being honest and telling a real story is much more appealing than a sponsor-laden, narcissistic production, but follow the author's advice about good filmmaking at your own peril. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

I Went to the Woods: Keys behind story time

A good visual product is about good storytelling

Being honest and telling a real story is much more appealing than a sponsor-laden, narcissistic production, but follow the author's advice about good filmmaking at your own peril. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)
Five Bohemian waxwings rest on a snowy branch between bouts of feeding. (Courtesy Photo / Kerry Howard)

On the Trails: Variable sightings and weather in winter

Winter is an odd time of year here.

Five Bohemian waxwings rest on a snowy branch between bouts of feeding. (Courtesy Photo / Kerry Howard)
Lucy consults with Builder Nic Howell on float house construction issues. (Courtesy Photo / Lucy Moline-Robinson)

Planet Alaska: A float house named Sea Pig

“I’ve always had a fascination with float house life.”

Lucy consults with Builder Nic Howell on float house construction issues. (Courtesy Photo / Lucy Moline-Robinson)
Killdeer can be seen in winter and nest here in spring. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)

On the Trails: Breaking out the snowshoes

Surprise! A starlit night, a nice day, lower temperatures, and then some lovely snow.

Killdeer can be seen in winter and nest here in spring. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)
Ravens like this one inspire people to respond to their calls, and sometimes to pick up a pencil. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Butterflies and ravens as poetic inspiration

Both poets and scientists are deep observers who interpret the world in different ways.

Ravens like this one inspire people to respond to their calls, and sometimes to pick up a pencil. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)
The red flowers of the native columbine are caused by anthocyanins. (Courtesy Photo / Deana Barajas)

On the Trails: The many roads to red

Red and reddish colors can be produced in many ways, by a variety of pigment molecules.

The red flowers of the native columbine are caused by anthocyanins. (Courtesy Photo / Deana Barajas)
A raven vocalizes on the west side of Fairbanks in April 2021. (Courtesy Photo / Hannah Foss)

Alaska Science Forum: Making sense of raven talk

Do we really want to know what ravens are saying about us?

A raven vocalizes on the west side of Fairbanks in April 2021. (Courtesy Photo / Hannah Foss)
Jane Hale (Courtesy Photo)

Coming Out: Amjad Ali Khan in Wisconsin

Jim becomes Johnny becomes Jane. It’s all one song.

Jane Hale (Courtesy Photo)
This week's Slack Tide is all about matters of the heart. For example, while the heart has long been a symbol for affection, exactly what inspired the shape that bears little resemblance to the human heart is up for debate. (Unsplash / DESIGNECOLOGIST)
This week's Slack Tide is all about matters of the heart. For example, while the heart has long been a symbol for affection, exactly what inspired the shape that bears little resemblance to the human heart is up for debate. (Unsplash / DESIGNECOLOGIST)
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Living & Growing: Stumbling toward success

I’m enjoying the trying, and that’s success to me.

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Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File 
A porcupine dines in mid-August near the Mendnehall Glacier.

On the Trails: Putting a finer point on porcupines

Plants such as roses and devil’s club aren’t the only prickly ones…

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File 
A porcupine dines in mid-August near the Mendnehall Glacier.
A Compton tortoiseshell butterfly pauses between flights in Two Rivers resident Rod Boyce’s garage in January 2023. Photo by Rod Boyce.
A Compton tortoiseshell butterfly pauses between flights in Two Rivers resident Rod Boyce’s garage in January 2023. Photo by Rod Boyce.
Alpine meals are great, but it's tough to beat the satisfaction of a hot meal on the shore after fishing through a run for steelhead. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

I Went to the Woods: Either or, probably not both

It’s really difficult to double-major both in college and in life.

Alpine meals are great, but it's tough to beat the satisfaction of a hot meal on the shore after fishing through a run for steelhead. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)
This photo shows frozen salmonberries for use all winter. (Courtesy Photo / Vivian Faith Prescott)

Planet Alaska: Salmonberries in winter

Sometimes in the winter, I dream of salmonberries…

This photo shows frozen salmonberries for use all winter. (Courtesy Photo / Vivian Faith Prescott)
Bog laurel plants are toxic to mammals; pollinating bees that feed on the pollen make toxic honey. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)

On the Trails: A green world

Five decades ago, some well-known ecologists looked around and noted that their terrestrial world was very green. Why didn’t herbivores demolish the greenery? The observers… Continue reading

Bog laurel plants are toxic to mammals; pollinating bees that feed on the pollen make toxic honey. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)
An Alaska blackfish that once lived in a tank at the Fairbanks office of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)
An Alaska blackfish that once lived in a tank at the Fairbanks office of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)