Just some pictures...

I've taken lots of pictures recently. So many in fact, that I'm not sure how best to organize them into posts. So, I'm just going to post pictures and write descriptions.

 These little guys are "fiddle heads." They are actually baby fern leaves. They pop up in Spring and eventually unfurl completely. But when they are in the "fiddle head" state, they are tender and edible. I'm told they are good with salads. I've eaten one, but I didn't have it with salad.

 This yellow flower is "skunk cabbage," because it smells bad. But actually, it doesn't smell bad. I don't smell anything, and I've been around these guys a lot. Even Skeeter doesn't smell them, and he has a nose like a bloodhound.

 A little grove of skunk cabbage. They grow everywhere in the spring. When bears come out of hibernation, they eat these. The hard stalk that grows in the middle is crunchy and helps get their digestive systems moving. Sometimes on the trail, you'll see half eaten skunk cabbages. You should always be aware and alert when hiking, but especially if you see half eaten skunk cabbage. Or bear poop. Or a sneaker that's been gnawed on.
I talked to everyone about bears when I got here. I wanted to be fully prepared in case I did run into a brown bear. They are bigger here, because of the healthy salmon diet. They will typically run away if they hear, smell, or see you. They will be aggressive if they are 'surprised' by a quiet hiker. So, make noise on the trail. Talk to your buddies and dig your feet into the gravel path. Or step on every single twig that crosses your path. And barrel through the bushes. Sound BIG.
If you DO happen upon a bear. You should very calmly introduce yourself: "Hi bear. I'm Amanda. I live over in Sitka. I was just leaving." Then slowly back away, keeping you eye on it. Make sure the bear has an escape route. You don't want him/her/them to feel trapped. If it shows signs of aggression, take out your bear mace and get it ready. Make sure you are upwind of the bear. And make sure there is a tree between you and it. It may "false charge" at you. If it comes after you, wait until it's within 10 feet and spray him/her/them. Get away.
No lie, that is what I've been told to do in that situation.

 An eagle.

 Two eagles.

 OMG.  Three eagles. There were actually four eagles sitting together in the trees one evening but my wide angle lens just wasn't wide enough to get all four in a picture.

He looks too big for that skinny branch.

 Bear.

 Less blurry bear. These photos were taken from Blue Lake road, looking into Fortress of the Bear. The 'fortress' doesn't look very accommodating to me, but I guess it's a good place for these rescues.

 Silver Bay. I took a walk while Skeeter did some fishing.

 A beautiful birds nest. I almost missed it; it was disguised so well.

 And there he is.

 Mt. Edgecombe and Sitka from Totem Park.

 We've had some really low tides this week. The lowest tide of the summer usually happens in May. Negative tides are kind of cool, unless you have to carry 2 double kayaks 10 extra feet.

 I love low tide.

 On one of our slow days at work, John took us on a boat ride to the southern half of Sitka Sound, to look at possible kayak routes and picnic beaches. It was a beautiful day. There were lots of kelp beds (above.)

 Willow, ever vigilant. Willow is John and Alison's dog. She is one of the best dogs I've ever met. She's smart and lovable. If you take her hiking, she will run ahead to check the trail for bears, and then run back to you. If there is a bear, she will sit at your feet and whine. She hangs out with us at the bus sometimes when we are working. She attracts business, hehehe.

 Great views of Mt. Edgecombe, the volcano. A few years ago, some coast guard guys played a really good April Fools joke. They used a helicopter to drop a bunch of old tires into the volcano. Then they lit those suckers up. Have you ever seen a tire fire? Well it makes huge black billowy smoke. So everyone thought Mt. Edgecombe was gonna blow. The coast guard outfit in Juneau was alerted and flew in to check it out. April Fools! Bahahahahahaha!

 It's hard to see, but that is a little otter poking his head up to check us out.

 More kelp beds and rocks and mountains.

 More otters.

 HUMPBACK WHALE. They are amazing. They pop for a second and then go down. You have to just sit and wait, because you never know where they'll pop up next.

We watched this guy for a while. Alison and John have seen lots of whales, but they say they never get tired of watching them.

Well, I have tons more to share, but this is a blog post not a novel. More soon!