Life

One of the aerial markers used to monitor snow depth on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. (Photo courtesy Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

Refuge Notebook: Goodbye snow

The longer days and sun warming my office have me thinking somewhat disappointingly about trading out my skis for my bike. I am one of… Continue reading

One of the aerial markers used to monitor snow depth on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. (Photo courtesy Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)
The Kenai Peninsula Fish Habitat Partnership works to protect spawning and rearing habitats for salmon and other fish species across jurisdicational boundaries. (Photo provided)

Refuge Notebook: A partnership approach to protecting fish habitats

What is being done collaboratively to ensure the Kenai Peninsula’s aquatic habitat remains healthy for fish? The Kenai Peninsula hosts a number of non-profit organizations,… Continue reading

The Kenai Peninsula Fish Habitat Partnership works to protect spawning and rearing habitats for salmon and other fish species across jurisdicational boundaries. (Photo provided)
To everyone who made a great winter of recreation possible, thanks

To everyone who made a great winter of recreation possible, thanks

A hike I did on the Carter Lake trail in mid-January is a perfect example of how we rely on others when we recreate outdoors… Continue reading

To everyone who made a great winter of recreation possible, thanks

An Outdoor View: The fishing deal

Looking back at some of the crazy things I’ve done in the name of fishing in the past 75 years, I’m dumbfounded. As a wee… Continue reading

Looking south over the outwash delta at the head of Tustumena Lake showing where water and sand erupted from the ground and fractured the ice 54 years ago. Photograph taken shortly after the March 27, 1964 earthquake by Ave Thayer, Kenai National Moose Range.

Refuge Notebook: When the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers flowed backward

It must have been an alarming sight to see these two Kenai Peninsula rivers temporarily flow backward into the outlets of Kenai and Tustumena Lakes.… Continue reading

Looking south over the outwash delta at the head of Tustumena Lake showing where water and sand erupted from the ground and fractured the ice 54 years ago. Photograph taken shortly after the March 27, 1964 earthquake by Ave Thayer, Kenai National Moose Range.
TEK: Another Way of Understanding Our Natural World

TEK: Another Way of Understanding Our Natural World

I had the privilege last week to participate in an interesting workshop hosted by Chugachmiut, an Alaska Native nonprofit agency that serves seven villages in… Continue reading

TEK: Another Way of Understanding Our Natural World
Nature in music and feeling

Nature in music and feeling

Frozen Portage Lake beneath me cracks and groans ominously. A bitter cold infects the skin between my wrist and glove where cloth edges don’t meet.… Continue reading

Nature in music and feeling

What does a 1st-time Alaska visitor read to get ready?

Whether they’re built on John Muir’s journey along the Southeast in a Tlingit canoe, Christopher McCandless’ iconic teal and white bus or a retelling of… Continue reading

An Outdoor View: A Winter Olympics dream

Not much has changed since I wrote this column during the 1994 Winter Olympics. Norwegians still dominate most events, while Americans still win the occasional… Continue reading

The single track on Tsalteshi Trails offers the chance for snowshoeing and fat biking during the winter while the main trails are open only for skiing. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)

Five ideas for spring break fun

Next week is the start of spring break, leaving families across the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District one week and one day of time to… Continue reading

The single track on Tsalteshi Trails offers the chance for snowshoeing and fat biking during the winter while the main trails are open only for skiing. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)
Moon shot: Looking for signs in the sky

Moon shot: Looking for signs in the sky

I am mystically inclined. I look for patterns in my life — filtering meaning through cards or the stars — arranging the order of happenstance… Continue reading

Moon shot: Looking for signs in the sky
A willow rose on a Barclay willow near the Sterling Highway in Soldotna, February 28. Note in the background a stem from the same willow that was browsed by a moose; the rose gall was not eaten. (USFWS photo/Matt Bowser)

Refuge Notebook: A willow, a fly, and a moose

While traffic rushed incessantly up and down the Sterling Highway on a glorious June day, a male Barclay willow flourished in the full sun on… Continue reading

A willow rose on a Barclay willow near the Sterling Highway in Soldotna, February 28. Note in the background a stem from the same willow that was browsed by a moose; the rose gall was not eaten. (USFWS photo/Matt Bowser)
A male Wilson’s Warbler bathes in a small waterfall, Santa Elena, Costa Rica February 20, 2018 (T. Eskelin).

Refuge Notebook: Vacation through the eyes of a naturalist

First let’s paint a picture. I am sitting at a concrete table sipping the best cup of coffee I have ever tasted. It was slow… Continue reading

A male Wilson’s Warbler bathes in a small waterfall, Santa Elena, Costa Rica February 20, 2018 (T. Eskelin).

An Outdoor View: Bonefishing, Part 9

Author’s note: This column is the last in a series about fishing at Christmas Island in 1987. — LP March 2 — When I wake… Continue reading

LeTourneau tree crushers were used in the 1970s to create browse for moose on the Kenai National Moose Range. (Photo courtesy Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

Refuge Notebook: How resource management has evolved on Kenai National Wildlife Refuge

People (including my mother) often confuse National Wildlife Refuges with National Parks, thinking they serve similar purposes. But parks are about people and refuges are… Continue reading

LeTourneau tree crushers were used in the 1970s to create browse for moose on the Kenai National Moose Range. (Photo courtesy Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)
A bicyclist makes her way down the path at Centennial Park on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. The Soldotna Department of Parks and Recreation recently began grooming the loop trail at Centennial Park for multiple uses, from walking to skiing to biking. The central Kenai Peninsula got a fresh coat of snow Saturday, with more predicted for Sunday night and Monday. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Out for a spin

A bicyclist makes her way down the path at Centennial Park on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. The Soldotna Department of Parks and… Continue reading

A bicyclist makes her way down the path at Centennial Park on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. The Soldotna Department of Parks and Recreation recently began grooming the loop trail at Centennial Park for multiple uses, from walking to skiing to biking. The central Kenai Peninsula got a fresh coat of snow Saturday, with more predicted for Sunday night and Monday. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
Using a drip torch to light piled vegetation and other burnable debris to reduce fuel loads along the wildland-urban interface on Funny River Road. (Photo courtesy Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

Refuge Notebook: The ‘why factor’ in fire management

In a time-compressed environment, such as during the initial response to a new wildfire, responders don’t always have the opportunity to provide a thorough, in-depth… Continue reading

Using a drip torch to light piled vegetation and other burnable debris to reduce fuel loads along the wildland-urban interface on Funny River Road. (Photo courtesy Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

An Outdoor View: Bonefishing, Part 8

Author’s note: This column is the eighth in a series about fishing at Christmas Island in 1987. — LP March 1 — Tragedy! During the… Continue reading

This October 2017 photo shows the Denali Cabin, a public use cabin, at the Kesugi Ken Campground near Denali State Park, Alaska. The Denali Cabin is one of an extensive system of federal- and state-owned public use cabins on park lands across the state of Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

State asks to build more public use cabins to meet demand

Alaska’s public use cabins are really popular. Rentable cabins of all shapes and sizes occupy corners all over state and federal park lands in Alaska,… Continue reading

This October 2017 photo shows the Denali Cabin, a public use cabin, at the Kesugi Ken Campground near Denali State Park, Alaska. The Denali Cabin is one of an extensive system of federal- and state-owned public use cabins on park lands across the state of Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
A black bear mother and her three cubs on Skilak Lake Road in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge (July 2017). Delayed implantation of the fertilized egg prevents pregnancy from starting until late fall, several months after mating. (Photo courtesy Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

Refuge Notebook: Winter wildlife babies on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge

Being six months pregnant in the dead of winter (as I am) has its challenges — from trying to zip up a coat that’s too… Continue reading

A black bear mother and her three cubs on Skilak Lake Road in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge (July 2017). Delayed implantation of the fertilized egg prevents pregnancy from starting until late fall, several months after mating. (Photo courtesy Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)