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This is Page 1 of 4 - the best of June 2021!
posted: July 1st, 2021
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This page begins with June 4th - 7th and birds at home.  On June 8th we show you some photos from a trip up the Elliott Highway to Milepost 93, where we spent the night in our topper motel.  Then on June 9th we continue up the Elliott Highway to the Village of Minto.  That is where this page ends, with us on the shore overlooking Minto Flats at Minto Village.  Click on any thumbnail to begin.

Begin June 4th - 7th
  The first image in this row compares the size of a Hairy Woodpecker (Leuconotopicus villosus) (left) and a Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) (right). The center shot shows the full size photo of the Hairy Woodpecker and the third shot is a male Downy Woodpecker.
Jun4_7ATCrop_HairyWoodpecker_Jun03_6ATCrop_RC
Jun4_7ATCrop_HairyWoodpecker
_Jun03_6ATCrop_RC
Jun4_7ATCrop_HairyWoodpecker_SuetFeeder_RC
Jun4_7ATCrop_Hairy
Woodpecker_SuetFeeder_RC
Jun06_1_MaleDownyWoodpecker_RC
Jun06_1_Male
DownyWoodpecker_RC

  Here are two shots of an American Robin (Turdus migratorius) as it preens after a bath in our homemade bird bath.
June7th_012_Home_Robin_RC
June7th_012_
Home_Robin_RC
June7th_013_Home_Robin_RC
June7th_013_
Home_Robin_RC

  These three images are actually only two photos - the first and third images are the actual photos and the center image is a 2-shot panorama of the two photos. These shots were taken looking south from our porch just after working up the garden.
Jun07_1_SouthFromPorch_Garden_RC
Jun07_1_South
FromPorch_Garden_RC
Jun07_1_2_CylindricalPano_SouthFromPorch_Garden_RC
Jun07_1_2_CylindricalPano_
SouthFromPorch_Garden_RC
Jun07_2_SouthFromPorch_Garden_RC
Jun07_2_South
FromPorch_Garden_RC

End June 4th - 7th, Begin June 8th
  Let's take a drive up the Elliott Highway. The first two shots were taken in an old burn area (read forest fire) and they show White Cottongrass (Eriophorum scheuchzeri). The third photo shows a Spotted Lady Slipper Orchid (Cypripedium guttatum) at Grapefruit Rocks as it prepares to bloom - this tells us we should return here in a week or so.
Jun08_03_Cottongrass_OldBurnArea_RC
Jun08_03_Cottongrass
_OldBurnArea_RC
June8th_004_ElliottHWY_EriophorumScheuchzeri_RC
June8th_004_ElliottHWY_
EriophorumScheuchzeri_RC
Jun08_07_CypripediumGuttatum_Grapefruit_RC
Jun08_07_Cypripedium
Guttatum_Grapefruit_RC

  Here is a patch of Spotted Lady Slipper Orchid (Cypripedium guttatum). In second position is an Arctic bramble or Arctic raspberry (Rubus arcticus), and in third place is a shot of Hare Bells (Campanula lasiocarpa).
Jun08_08_CypripediumGuttatum_Grapefruit_RC
Jun08_08_Cypripedium
Guttatum_Grapefruit_RC
Jun08_11_BerryFlower_Grapefruit_RC
Jun08_11_Berry
Flower_Grapefruit_RC
Jun08_13_HareBells_Grapefruit_RC
Jun08_13_HareBells
_Grapefruit_RC

  In first and third position you can see the Small-Flower Columbine (Aquilegia brevistyla), while in center position is another shot of Arctic bramble or Arctic raspberry (Rubus arcticus).
June8th_020_GrapefruitRocks_AquilegiaBrevistyla_RC
June8th_020_Grapefruit
Rocks_AquilegiaBrevistyla_RC
June8th_014_GrapefruitRocks_RubusArcticus_RC
June8th_014_Grapefruit
Rocks_RubusArcticus_RC
June8th_019_GrapefruitRocks_AquilegiaBrevistyla_RC
June8th_019_Grapefruit
Rocks_AquilegiaBrevistyla_RC

  Now we have moved from Grapefruit Rocks to a gravel pit near Milepost 57 on the Elliott Highway. Can you believe all of the Arctic Lupine (Lupinus arcticus ssp. arcticus) here?
Jun08_22_Mile57ElliottHwy_LupineKazuya_RC
Jun08_22_Mile57Elliott
Hwy_LupineKazuya_RC
Jun08_21_Mile57ElliottHwy_Lupine_RC
Jun08_21_Mile57Elliott
Hwy_Lupine_RC
Jun08_23_Mile57ElliottHwy_LupineKazuya_RC
Jun08_23_Mile57Elliott
Hwy_LupineKazuya_RC

  The first shot shows one more (Lupinus arcticus ssp. arcticus) and that is followed by two shots - plant and also flowers - of the Three-Toothed Saxifrage (Saxifraga tricuspidata).
Jun08_24_Mile57ElliottHwy_Lupine_RC
Jun08_24_Mile57Elliott
Hwy_Lupine_RC
June8th_028_ElliottHWYMP57_SaxifragaTricuspidata_RC
June8th_028_ElliottHWYMP57
_SaxifragaTricuspidata_RC
June8th_029_ElliottHWYMP57_SaxifragaTricuspidata_RC
June8th_029_ElliottHWYMP57
_SaxifragaTricuspidata_RC

  Here are two shots of Narrowleaf Arnica (Arnica angustifolia) and then another shot of Arctic Lupine (Lupinus arcticus ssp. arcticus).
June8th_033_ElliottHWYMP57_ArnicaAngustifolia_RC
June8th_033_ElliottHWYMP57
_ArnicaAngustifolia_RC
June8th_034_ElliottHWYMP57_ArnicaAngustifolia_RC
June8th_034_ElliottHWYMP57
_ArnicaAngustifolia_RC
June8th_035_ElliottHWYMP57_LupinusArcticus_RC
June8th_035_ElliottHWYMP57
_LupinusArcticus_RC

  In this row are photos of Narrowleaf Arnica (Arnica angustifolia), Death Camas (Anticlea elegans), and Arctic Lupine (Lupinus arcticus ssp. arcticus).
Jun08_30_Mile57ElliottHwy_Arnica_RC
Jun08_30_Mile57Elliott
Hwy_Arnica_RC
June8th_041_ElliottHWYMP57_AnticleaElegans_RC
June8th_041_ElliottHWYMP57
_AnticleaElegans_RC
Jun08_31_Mile57ElliottHwy_Lupine_RC
Jun08_31_Mile57Elliott
Hwy_Lupine_RC

  Here are three shots of Pasque Flower (Pulsatilla patens) Seedheads on the hillside where we got those great Pasque Flower photos last month.
June8th_042_ElliottHWYMP57_PulsatillaPatens_RC
June8th_042_ElliottHWYMP57
_PulsatillaPatens_RC
Jun08_36_Mile57ElliottHwy_PasqueFlower_RC
Jun08_36_Mile57Elliott
Hwy_PasqueFlower_RC
Jun08_37_Mile57ElliottHwy_PasqueFlower_RC
Jun08_37_Mile57Elliott
Hwy_PasqueFlower_RC

  The Common Juniper (Juniperus communis var. depressa) grows here, and the first shot shows an example with male flowers. The second shot is another of the Three-Toothed Saxifrage (Saxifraga tricuspidata). Much to our surprise we found a few Calypso Orchids (Calypso bulbosa var. americana) here - we never expected to see these here, but one just never knows what one may find.
June8th_062_ElliottHWYMP57_JuniperusCommunisVarDepressa_RC
June8th_062_ElliottHWYMP57_
JuniperusCommunisVarDepressa_RC
June8th_075_ElliottHWYMP57_SaxifragaTricuspidata_RC
June8th_075_ElliottHWYMP57
_SaxifragaTricuspidata_RC
June8th_078_ElliottHWYMP57_CalypsoBulbosa_RC
June8th_078_ElliottHWYMP57
_CalypsoBulbosa_RC

  Here are two more shots of Calypso Orchids (Calypso bulbosa var. americana) and then another shot of White Cottongrass (Eriophorum scheuchzeri).
June8th_079_ElliottHWYMP57_CalypsoBulbosa_RC
June8th_079_ElliottHWYMP57
_CalypsoBulbosa_RC
June8th_084_ElliottHWYMP57_CalypsoBulbosa_RC
June8th_084_ElliottHWYMP57
_CalypsoBulbosa_RC
June8th_107_ElliottHWY_EriophorumScheuchzeri_RC
June8th_107_ElliottHWY_
EriophorumScheuchzeri_RC

  Have you ever found a Raven (Corvus corax) nest? The first two shots in this row show one with a Raven sitting in it. Is this a parent or a young one? The third shot shows a beautiful Prickly Wild Rose (Rosa acicularis).
June8th_109_ElliottHWY_BabyRaven_RC
June8th_109_ElliottHWY
_BabyRaven_RC
June8th_110_ElliottHWY_BabyRaven_RC
June8th_110_ElliottHWY
_BabyRaven_RC
Jun08_53_ElliottHwyWildRose_RC
Jun08_53_Elliott
HwyWildRose_RC

  Here are two additional shots of Prickly Wild Rose (Rosa acicularis) and sandwiched between them is a scenery photo taken at about Milepost 93 of the Elliott Highway. In the distance is Minto Flats - we will go there tomorrow.
Jun08_54_ElliottHwyWildRose_RC
Jun08_54_Elliott
HwyWildRose_RC
Jun08_57_ElliottHwyAroundMile93_RC
Jun08_57_ElliottHwy
AroundMile93_RC
June8th_116_ElliottHWY_RosaAcicularis_RC
June8th_116_Elliott
HWY_RosaAcicularis_RC

  Here are two more scenic shots in which Minto Flats can be seen. The third shot is a Snow Arnica (Arnica griscomii ssp. frigida).
Jun08_58_ElliottHwyAroundMile93_RC
Jun08_58_Elliott
HwyAroundMile93_RC
Jun08_59_ElliottHwyAroundMile93_RC
Jun08_59_Elliott
HwyAroundMile93_RC
June8th_136_ElliottHWY_ArnicaGriscomiiSspFrigida_RC
June8th_136_ElliottHWY
_ArnicaGriscomiiSspFrigida_RC

  Here are three scenic shots which were taken near Milepost 93 of the Elliott Highway. In the first shot note how far back from the sides of the road they have cut the brush. We read that the reason for this is due to the fact that this area experiences very strong winds and they have done this in an attempt to remove anything which might cause the snow to drift. In the center shot you start to get a better impression of the size of Minto Flats.
Jun08_63_ElliottHwyAroundMile93_RC
Jun08_63_Elliott
HwyAroundMile93_RC
Jun08_65_ElliottHwyAroundMile93_RC
Jun08_65_Elliott
HwyAroundMile93_RC
June8th_141_ElliottHWY_RC
June8th_141_
ElliottHWY_RC

  In first position here is an example of Mountain Avens (Dryas octopetala) and that is followed by two shots of a form of Narcissus-Flowered Anemone (Anemone narcissiflora f. viridis) which displays a greenish color and kind of a mutated blossom shape.
June8th_152_ElliottHWY_DryasOctopetala_RC
June8th_152_Elliott
HWY_DryasOctopetala_RC
June8th_154_ElliottHWY_AnemoneNarcissifloraFViridis_RC
June8th_154_ElliottHWY_Anemone
NarcissifloraFViridis_RC
Jun08_72_AnemoneMile93_RC
Jun08_72_
AnemoneMile93_RC

  Here are two more shots of a form of Narcissus-Flowered Anemone (Anemone narcissiflora f. viridis) and sandwiched between them is a shot of a very small Fragrant Woodfern (Dryopteris fragrans).
Jun08_74_AnemoneMile93_RC
Jun08_74_
AnemoneMile93_RC
June8th_167_ElliottHWY_DryopterisFragrans_RC
June8th_167_ElliottHWY
_DryopterisFragrans_RC
June8th_165_ElliottHWY_AnemoneNarcissifloraFViridis_RC
June8th_165_ElliottHWY_
AnemoneNarcissifloraFViridis_RC

  This is where we spent the night in our pickup truck topper - the Topper Motel is what we call it. This is at Milepost 93 of the Elliott Highway.
June8th_169_170ATTopBot_AutoPano_ElliottHWYMP93_RC
June8th_169_170ATTopBot_Auto
Pano_ElliottHWYMP93_RC
June8th_171_ElliottHWYMP93_RC
June8th_171_
ElliottHWYMP93_RC

End June 8th, Begin June 9th
  Now it's a new day, what will it bring? The first thing it brought us was a sundog on the left side of the sun.
June9th_002_ElliottHWY_RC
June9th_002_
ElliottHWY_RC
June9th_003_ElliottHWY_RC
June9th_003_
ElliottHWY_RC

  As we began the continuation of our drive one of the first things we saw was this Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum).
June9th_006_ElliottHWY_ErethizonDorsatum_RC
June9th_006_ElliottHWY_
ErethizonDorsatum_RC
June9th_016_ElliottHWY_ErethizonDorsatum_RC
June9th_016_ElliottHWY_
ErethizonDorsatum_RC
June9th_020_ElliottHWY_ErethizonDorsatum_RC
June9th_020_ElliottHWY_
ErethizonDorsatum_RC

  Here are three scenic shots which we took. The third shot shows that we are getting closer to Minto Flats.
Jun09_01_AlongElliottHwyNearMile95_RC
Jun09_01_Along
ElliottHwyNearMile95_RC
Jun09_02_AlongElliottHwyNearMile95_RC
Jun09_02_Along
ElliottHwyNearMile95_RC
Jun09_06_AlongElliottHwyNearMile95_RC
Jun09_06_Along
ElliottHwyNearMile95_RC

  This flowery vista was along the Minto Road, beautiful, to say the least. The second shot is rather self-explanatory. The third image, a 2-shot panorama, was taken from the Minto Village water access road.
June9th_034_Minto_ArnicaGriscomiiSspFrigida_RC
June9th_034_Minto_Arnica
GriscomiiSspFrigida_RC
June9th_038_Minto_RC
June9th_038_
Minto_RC
Jun09_08_09_ReporPanoSIP_AtMintoVillage_RC
Jun09_08_09_ReporPanoSIP_
AtMintoVillage_RC

  Here are three additional shots of Minto Flats. This is a HUGE area where the Tolovana River, the Chatanika River, the Tatalina River, Goldstream Creek and more, all come together and then flow into the Tanana River. This is the Minto Flats State Game Refuge. If you're interested you can search for that name and find a map.
June9th_041_Minto_RC
June9th_041_
Minto_RC
Jun09_13_AtMintoVillage_RC
Jun09_13_At
MintoVillage_RC
Jun09_14_AtMintoVillage_RC
Jun09_14_At
MintoVillage_RC

End Page 1, but June 9th continues on Page 2
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