Walking with Grizzlies

[Lisbeth]

More Megs than bears this time...

Did you have to wear those horribly uncomfortable long rubber boots all the time? Was the soil that wet? "schjiup" -O
The thingie that you are carrying around above the boots, is that Guinness or just the fleece jacket...

[nan]

bluebells and not only
the Eagle seems to be a Bald one (sorry, can't remember the exact name... like Fish Eagle -O )

yes, it seems could be something for me... if I can travel by boat from here
first will try to go to Danube delta... by train... if there is train...

[Jillinflorida]

Beautiful photos. I must remember all of what you've told us when we go...certainly look for the unexpected. The picture of you and Meg with that scenery is fantastic.

[Heksie]

Flipping amazing to be in that area with all those beautiful flowers, and seeing so many different things, I don't know anything about those plants
And then to see you guys with that wonderful background of snowtop-mountains and the lake and ooooooooh its just beautiful
I would imagine have a snooze in that lekker long green soft grass-just bliss, with nature surrounding you, heaven Dewi

[Richprins]

Now here's where we differ, Dewi... I would have been in the mud there checking for invertebrates under the stones as an indication of water quality! -O

Freud would have a field day here!


nana...I can look at Meg all day, but apparently am not allowed to say that...


I really don't know what sort of adventurer sleeps on the grass while stuff is going on...

(But have done it often at Lower Sabie... )

[Dewi]

Thank you Mel, Lisbeth, Nan, Jillinflorida, Heksie & Richprins.

Mel - The ground was warm, dry and very comfortable. -O

Lis - Those were my hat and gloves in my pockets. How dare you.

Nah, just kidding, it's all Guinness. No bears today either, they are nervous that you are on the lookout for a new Winter coat.

Nan - Bald Eagle and it is one of the Fish Eagles. Danube Delta is excellent for birding.

Jill - If you are going on a cruise, you will see a lot more variety than we did, along with glaciers and even better scenery.

Heksie - That snooze was real heaven. Recharged the batteries no end.

RP - Patience, the mud inhabitants are yet to make an appearance. Wish Freud was with us. His jokes were the best ever. Did you know that Bears have a much higher developed sense of smell than Freud's bloodhound, Henry? He could also have cooked snacks for us whilst on shore.

[Dewi]

Birding in the region at this time of year can be hard going as the majority of species were breeding further North or South of here and we were away from the large colonies of seabirds present in the region. If it's just birds that you are after, I would visit at other times of the year when migration is in full swing here. Kodiak Island is also home to some amazing species during Winter.

Despite this, I still managed 23 new lifers, so was happy with what we saw.

Bald Eagles are ever present in the region. I had expected to see them, but not in such large numbers. When we went a couple of hours in downtown Kodiak without seeing one, we wondered if there was something going on elsewhere, as they were always in view the rest of the time here. Over on Katmai, they were spread out a little more as they were all on nesting territories raising their young.

Bald Eagle on lookout duty.




Along the shoreline, we encountered several pairs of American Black Oystercatchers. They would walk along the pebbles or rocky islets noisily piping to eachother as they had chicks which were hunkered down in nearby vegetation.











Mew and Glaucous-winged Gulls were always present on the shorelines here. On the lookout for free food disturbed by the Bears.



Back in Kodiak, the Glaucous-winged Gulls lined the barriers along the harbour.

Adult.


Juvenile.


Tufted Puffins were present where there was more open, deep water.



And Kittlitz's Murrelet's were in the quieter bays along the Katmai coast.



Black-billed Magpies were common and you could always hear them in the background wherever you went.



Song Sparrows were also common on Kodiak.



While our last walk on Kodiak produced a Pine Grosbeak feeding in the bushes.

[Sharifa]

Wonderful variety of birds and flowers
Wow to get 23 lifers and not even the best time of the year for birding

[Lisbeth]

Kittlitz's Murrelet Is that a bird of an old newspaper floating ?

Great to get 23 lifers I suppose that we have to trust you on your word

[Mel]

23 is quite a good catch for the fact that it was not high season for birding

The eagles are absolutely impressive