Life

The white “petals” of bunchberry are really modified bracts that attract pollinators. (Photo provided by Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

Refuge notebook: A common little plant with uncommon traits

This summer, I traveled from the East Coast to the Kenai Peninsula to intern with the biology program at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. As… Continue reading

The white “petals” of bunchberry are really modified bracts that attract pollinators. (Photo provided by Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)
Reeling ‘Em In: Not even dinosaur-killing virus can stop Nick from his report

Reeling ‘Em In: Not even dinosaur-killing virus can stop Nick from his report

It’s time to take a look at fishing report for the week of June 25 - July 1

Reeling ‘Em In: Not even dinosaur-killing virus can stop Nick from his report
The Kenai Mountains across Kachemak Bay rise behind the Mariner Park Campground on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska, as seen on June 15, 2019. The city campground offers both tent and motorhome camping. Although the facilities are minimal, the beachfront view is amazing. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Out of the Office: A love for camping becomes the glue of a lifelong bond

Tents are windows to adventure

The Kenai Mountains across Kachemak Bay rise behind the Mariner Park Campground on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska, as seen on June 15, 2019. The city campground offers both tent and motorhome camping. Although the facilities are minimal, the beachfront view is amazing. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
A black bear sow with two cubs leave a barbed-wire exclosure designed to snag their hair. (Photo provided by Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

Refuge notebook: Where do black and brown bears occur?

Science is more than the five-step method we learn about in grade school — science is a philosophy of questions. As a budding graduate student… Continue reading

A black bear sow with two cubs leave a barbed-wire exclosure designed to snag their hair. (Photo provided by Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)
Anglers fish at the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon on Saturday, June 15, 2019, at the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Reeling ‘Em In: Bobber snaggers have skills of bread mold

A look at the southern peninsula’s fishing conditions

Anglers fish at the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon on Saturday, June 15, 2019, at the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Hallie Bergwall makes a move in a Scrabble game on Thursday at Resurrect Art Coffee House in Seward, Alaska. Bergwall took home the win. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)

Tangled up in Blue: Just playin’

I learned how to play a new card game. Pinochle, according to Wikipedia, is a trick-taking, Ace-Ten card game played with a 48-card deck originally… Continue reading

Hallie Bergwall makes a move in a Scrabble game on Thursday at Resurrect Art Coffee House in Seward, Alaska. Bergwall took home the win. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)
Refuge notebook: Monitoring wetland change on the Kenai

Refuge notebook: Monitoring wetland change on the Kenai

For the past year I’ve been sitting in a university office in Eastern Pennsylvania staring at maps of the Kenai Peninsula. The maps show the… Continue reading

Refuge notebook: Monitoring wetland change on the Kenai
Reeling ‘Em In: Blackmouths getting bigger at Fishin’ Hole

Reeling ‘Em In: Blackmouths getting bigger at Fishin’ Hole

Things are much better this season compared to the last go around

Reeling ‘Em In: Blackmouths getting bigger at Fishin’ Hole
Out of the Office: In Pursuit of a Green Thumb

Out of the Office: In Pursuit of a Green Thumb

This spring, I decided to get serious about gardening. By gardening, I mean finding the most hearty, resilient plants I could and sticking them in… Continue reading

Out of the Office: In Pursuit of a Green Thumb
Reeling ‘Em In: Chinooks starting to hit at Fishin’ Hole

Reeling ‘Em In: Chinooks starting to hit at Fishin’ Hole

The best is yet to come, if you know what you’re doing.

Reeling ‘Em In: Chinooks starting to hit at Fishin’ Hole
Refuge notebook: A fun way to learn about natural resource stewardship

Refuge notebook: A fun way to learn about natural resource stewardship

2019 marks the fifth year the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge has hosted a Game Warden Camp for local youth. This camp offers youth the chance… Continue reading

Refuge notebook: A fun way to learn about natural resource stewardship
Tangled up in Blue: Showing up

Tangled up in Blue: Showing up

The competition is constantly changing, wherever you go. A few weeks ago at the Exit Glacier Race, I came in second during the 5-kilometer race.… Continue reading

Tangled up in Blue: Showing up
Out of the office: Ruffled feathers

Out of the office: Ruffled feathers

Life often has a funny way of coming full circle. I like to think I’m a pretty rational person. I also like to think that… Continue reading

Out of the office: Ruffled feathers
A raven flies off with a couple of tortillas in Hidden Lake Campground. (Photo by Amber Kraxberger-Linson/Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

Refuge notebook: Ready. Set. Camp!

Summer is coming to the Kenai Peninsula. Days are getting longer, birds are returning to raise their young, and Alaskans are digging out their camping… Continue reading

A raven flies off with a couple of tortillas in Hidden Lake Campground. (Photo by Amber Kraxberger-Linson/Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)
Tangled up in Blue: Plastic is not my bag

Tangled up in Blue: Plastic is not my bag

My car’s rear window is full of stickers. I have a few inspired by the Grateful Dead, a Settlers of Catan one, a 3022 ft.… Continue reading

Tangled up in Blue: Plastic is not my bag
Refuge notebook: Alaska’s state bird is one of a kind

Refuge notebook: Alaska’s state bird is one of a kind

I saw a small flock of willow ptarmigan along the Seward Highway near Summit Pass last week. I had to take a hard look as… Continue reading

Refuge notebook: Alaska’s state bird is one of a kind
A metal figurine stands atop a peak in the Mystery Hills on the Kenai Peninsula on April 28, 2019. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Column: What will 30 bring for me?

I’ve turned 30 years old recently, and as this occasion arrived, I wondered how different it would feel as I enter this particular stage of… Continue reading

A metal figurine stands atop a peak in the Mystery Hills on the Kenai Peninsula on April 28, 2019. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
A male Golden-crowned Kinglet displays its “mohawk” on Fuller Lakes Trail on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. (Photo by Colin Canterbury)

Refuge notebook: Little rock star of the woods

Earlier this month, I took a hike up Fuller Lakes Trail with my dog, Scout. The sun was just peaking over the tips of the… Continue reading

A male Golden-crowned Kinglet displays its “mohawk” on Fuller Lakes Trail on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. (Photo by Colin Canterbury)
Tangled up in Blue: Alley Cats

Tangled up in Blue: Alley Cats

Wednesday night, all the cats of Seward took over the alleys. The second annual Alley Cats Run brought all of the felines in town away… Continue reading

Tangled up in Blue: Alley Cats
Underpasses to help wildlife move across the Sterling Highway is one way to resist changing conditions. (Photo provided by Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

Refuge notebook: A new way of thinking about climate adaptation

Last week I was in Madison, Wisconsin, at the National Adaptation Forum. This is an invigorating conference, powered by almost 1,000 passionate people who seek… Continue reading

Underpasses to help wildlife move across the Sterling Highway is one way to resist changing conditions. (Photo provided by Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)