Alaska Outdoors

Courtesy Photo | Kerry Howard                                 A short-eared owl perches on a snowy limb. The owls can sometimes be spotted near the Juneau International Airport. They hunt both during the day and at night.

A walk near the airport leads to a rare owl sighting

“I was hoping for something out of the ordinary — and I got lucky.”

Courtesy Photo | Kerry Howard                                 A short-eared owl perches on a snowy limb. The owls can sometimes be spotted near the Juneau International Airport. They hunt both during the day and at night.
Jeff Lund | For the Juneau Empire                                 Upon arriving in California, Jeff Lund immediately drove to the isolated reaches of the Upper Sacramento to practice social distancing and to find some trout.

Coping with Covid-19

“When your release reminds you of how bad things are, it’s not a release.”

Jeff Lund | For the Juneau Empire                                 Upon arriving in California, Jeff Lund immediately drove to the isolated reaches of the Upper Sacramento to practice social distancing and to find some trout.
This willow ptarmigan is just resting, in between snacks of buds. (Courtesy Photo | Bob Armstrong)

Finding fun and feathered friends in February

The prize observation came from Eaglecrest.

This willow ptarmigan is just resting, in between snacks of buds. (Courtesy Photo | Bob Armstrong)
The Yukon River, shown here at the Fortymile River’s junction with it in Canada, roughly follows the Tintina Fault. (Courtesy Photo | Ned Rozell)

‘Remarkable groove’ slides gold into Alaska

Groove isn’t just in the heart.

The Yukon River, shown here at the Fortymile River’s junction with it in Canada, roughly follows the Tintina Fault. (Courtesy Photo | Ned Rozell)
Sustainable Soundscapes: Places may look the same, but their sounds are changing

Sustainable Soundscapes: Places may look the same, but their sounds are changing

Listening closely to this planet’s sounds can tell us a lot about where we are, and where we’re going.

Sustainable Soundscapes: Places may look the same, but their sounds are changing
Staying safe when soaked

Staying safe when soaked

Most of the time we don’t know there’s a flaw in our system until it is exposed.

Staying safe when soaked
Nicky the bear sleeps near Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. The famous bear with a nicked ear was the subject Friday of a public lecture at the center. (Courtesy photo | Laurie Craig)

Lecture series looks in on famous Mendenhall Glacier area resident

An animal “with the power to change everything.”

Nicky the bear sleeps near Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. The famous bear with a nicked ear was the subject Friday of a public lecture at the center. (Courtesy photo | Laurie Craig)
Fresh snow coats Heintzleman Ridge as seen from Twin Lakes in December 2019. Snow is an insulator for wildlife. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

A lot goes on underneath the snow

Snow makes a great — albeit damp and cool — blanket.

Fresh snow coats Heintzleman Ridge as seen from Twin Lakes in December 2019. Snow is an insulator for wildlife. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Chris Beck with Alaska Trails, Thor Stacey with Alaska Professional Guides Association, Dan Blanchard with UnCruise Adventure, Lee Hart with Alaska Outdoor Alliance, E.J. Reiser with The North Face and Cailin O’Brien-Feeney then with the Outdoor Industry Association. (Courtesy Photo | Alaska Outdoor Alliance)

A week of outdoor-focused events comes to Juneau

Capital Outdoor Week, held March 2-6 in Juneau, will focus on Alaska’s $3.2 billion outdoor recreation sector. The five-day event features a calendar full of… Continue reading

Chris Beck with Alaska Trails, Thor Stacey with Alaska Professional Guides Association, Dan Blanchard with UnCruise Adventure, Lee Hart with Alaska Outdoor Alliance, E.J. Reiser with The North Face and Cailin O’Brien-Feeney then with the Outdoor Industry Association. (Courtesy Photo | Alaska Outdoor Alliance)
‘River Piracy’ strikes the Yukon

‘River Piracy’ strikes the Yukon

Locals and scientists say it’s losing water.

‘River Piracy’ strikes the Yukon
Do you know the differences between hares and rabbits?

Do you know the differences between hares and rabbits?

It’s a hare-y situation in Juneau.

Do you know the differences between hares and rabbits?
Former Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center Director John Neary holds his 2020 Wildlife Conservation Lifetime Achievement Award from the Alaska Chapter of the Wildlife Society Friday evening at the visitor center. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)
Former Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center Director John Neary holds his 2020 Wildlife Conservation Lifetime Achievement Award from the Alaska Chapter of the Wildlife Society Friday evening at the visitor center. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)
Winter journey along the Yukon River

Winter journey along the Yukon River

Ski fast.

Winter journey along the Yukon River
Pam Kihlmire and Elizabeth Flory talk with Dani Snyder, Tongass National Forest landscape architect, during a scoping open house Thursday night at Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)
Pam Kihlmire and Elizabeth Flory talk with Dani Snyder, Tongass National Forest landscape architect, during a scoping open house Thursday night at Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)
The biggest day that isn’t opening day: draw results

The biggest day that isn’t opening day: draw results

A hunt is never limited to a sequence of events never to be shared.

The biggest day that isn’t opening day: draw results
Homing pigeons use magnetic sense to locate their home roost.

It’s magnetic: How animals use their senses to find home

A real-life function of magnetic sense is known in many animals.

Homing pigeons use magnetic sense to locate their home roost.
Juneau guides help film crew capture something never seen before on film: wolves catching salmon at night

Juneau guides help film crew capture something never seen before on film: wolves catching salmon at night

They found themselves sitting in the dark, surrounded by wolves.

Juneau guides help film crew capture something never seen before on film: wolves catching salmon at night
Sundogs, light pillars enliven the dog days

Sundogs, light pillars enliven the dog days

There are some rewards that come with cold, clear skies.

Sundogs, light pillars enliven the dog days
Who eats ferns?

Who eats ferns?

Bracken fern is notorious for its toxins.

Who eats ferns?
Of words and warmth

Of words and warmth

They say the next best thing to fly fishing is reading about fly fishing.

Of words and warmth