Alaska Outdoors

Howler monkeys, like the ones seen here, protest intruders by making a great racket and pelting the intruders with feces. (Courtesy Photo / Wikimedia)

Gross but good: How dung, mucus and more are used in nature

Animals (and people) make use of many things we find icky

Howler monkeys, like the ones seen here, protest intruders by making a great racket and pelting the intruders with feces. (Courtesy Photo / Wikimedia)
Konrad Steffen, wears glasses and a yellow tie, at the White House in 2016, where he represented Switzerland at the first Arctic Ministerial Conference. (Courtesy Photo / Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape)

Glaciologist dies in Greenland crevasse

The glaciologist never worked in Alaska, but Steffen’s work influenced a scientist here.

Konrad Steffen, wears glasses and a yellow tie, at the White House in 2016, where he represented Switzerland at the first Arctic Ministerial Conference. (Courtesy Photo / Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape)
Why are Alaska’s salmon shrinking?

Why are Alaska’s salmon shrinking?

Researchers have found an answer —and explored what it means.

Why are Alaska’s salmon shrinking?
Wild Shots: Photos of Mother Nature in Alaska

Wild Shots: Photos of Mother Nature in Alaska

Reader-submitted photos for July 2020.

Wild Shots: Photos of Mother Nature in Alaska
More than 13 acres of land on North Douglas now owned by Southeast Alaska Lad Trust and known as the Grummett Wetlands will be open to the public for passive recreation. That includes activities such as hiking, birding and exploring. (Courtesy Photo / Southeast Alaska Land Trust)
More than 13 acres of land on North Douglas now owned by Southeast Alaska Lad Trust and known as the Grummett Wetlands will be open to the public for passive recreation. That includes activities such as hiking, birding and exploring. (Courtesy Photo / Southeast Alaska Land Trust)
Frustration is part of hunting, but only a fool would let it ruin the entire experience. (Jeff Lund / for the Juneau Empire)

Sometimes you have to stop and smell the alpine

There is no dignity in a tantrum on the mountain or otherwise.

Frustration is part of hunting, but only a fool would let it ruin the entire experience. (Jeff Lund / for the Juneau Empire)
Salmon derby soldiers on for 74th year
Salmon derby soldiers on for 74th year
Meet the percussionists of the animal world

Meet the percussionists of the animal world

It might get loud.

Meet the percussionists of the animal world
Canada’s last intact ice shelf collapses due to warming

Canada’s last intact ice shelf collapses due to warming

Much of Canada’s remaining intact ice shelf has broken apart.

Canada’s last intact ice shelf collapses due to warming
Swamp gentian flowers are common in the meadows at Eaglecrest Ski Area. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong photo)

Getting in July explorations while the sun shined

We reveled in the dazzling light and warmth.

Swamp gentian flowers are common in the meadows at Eaglecrest Ski Area. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong photo)
A grizzly bear sow and cubs that are fishing for chum salmon in Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, northern Alaska. (Courtesy Photo / Matt Cameron, National Park Service)

Bears alert scientists to secret salmon streams

How could people have missed those salmon runs?

A grizzly bear sow and cubs that are fishing for chum salmon in Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, northern Alaska. (Courtesy Photo / Matt Cameron, National Park Service)
This gastropod has appeal

This gastropod has appeal

Banana slugs ooze all over Alaska.

This gastropod has appeal
Jokes aside, August is a pretty special month in Southeast Alaska and it is probably Jeff Lund’s favorite. If you disagree, that’s fine. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

Southeast Alaska’s best month is right around the corner

The totally non-biased data is in: August is the most desired month in Southeast Alaska.

Jokes aside, August is a pretty special month in Southeast Alaska and it is probably Jeff Lund’s favorite. If you disagree, that’s fine. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)
A red-breasted sapsucker braces its strong central tail feathers against the tree trunk. Mary F. Willson notes the bird is not excavating. (Courtesy Photo / Kerry Howard)
Video

How tails help birds get ahead

Focusing on particular uses of tails that have special functions.

A red-breasted sapsucker braces its strong central tail feathers against the tree trunk. Mary F. Willson notes the bird is not excavating. (Courtesy Photo / Kerry Howard)
Video
This graphic shows All the large recent earthquakes on the Aleutian Subduction Zone, including the magnitude 7.8 in the “Shumagin Gap” that occurred July 21, 2020. (Courtesy Image/Alaska Earthquake Center)                                This graphic shows All the large recent earthquakes on the Aleutian Subduction Zone, including the magnitude 7.8 in the “Shumagin Gap” that occurred July 21, 2020. (Courtesy Image/Alaska Earthquake Center)

Recent earthquake adds missing piece to puzzle

What was learned from the biggest earthquake on the planet so far in 2020.

This graphic shows All the large recent earthquakes on the Aleutian Subduction Zone, including the magnitude 7.8 in the “Shumagin Gap” that occurred July 21, 2020. (Courtesy Image/Alaska Earthquake Center)                                This graphic shows All the large recent earthquakes on the Aleutian Subduction Zone, including the magnitude 7.8 in the “Shumagin Gap” that occurred July 21, 2020. (Courtesy Image/Alaska Earthquake Center)
Being a fly on the wall for complicated life cycles

Being a fly on the wall for complicated life cycles

Not just growing up.

Being a fly on the wall for complicated life cycles
Pond lilies and dandelions brighten a cool, damp day

Pond lilies and dandelions brighten a cool, damp day

Some of the dandelion stems had reached extraordinary lengths.

Pond lilies and dandelions brighten a cool, damp day
Sue Mauger, Cook Inletkeeper’s science and executive director, works in the Russian River. (Courtesy Photo | Joe Yelverton)
Video

What climate change means for Alaska’s rivers — and king salmon

A study finds some answers for Chinook salmon decline lie in freshwater rivers and streams.

Sue Mauger, Cook Inletkeeper’s science and executive director, works in the Russian River. (Courtesy Photo | Joe Yelverton)
Video
Eaglecrest Ski Area will be closed to all users on Thursday, July 23, 2020, as they conduct blasting operations. (Courtesy photo | Eaglecrest Ski Area)

Eaglecrest to hold demolition work

They’re blasting into a rock face to create more material for trails.

Eaglecrest Ski Area will be closed to all users on Thursday, July 23, 2020, as they conduct blasting operations. (Courtesy photo | Eaglecrest Ski Area)
The Nenana River originates near here, north of the Alaska Range, and flows through the mountains south of the range. (Courtesy Photo | Ned Rozell)

Rivers U-turn through Alaska range

The ‘unusual’ feature that makes bananas cheaper in Fairbanks.

The Nenana River originates near here, north of the Alaska Range, and flows through the mountains south of the range. (Courtesy Photo | Ned Rozell)