Birds from Alaska

[Ding Carpio]

I'm baaaack!

Spent a couple weeks hopping from town to town in ship in Alaska with my family. On Tina's insistent advice, I lugged my long lens and snuck in a few bird shots. Below are some. Pardon the blurred shots. Most of them were taken at sea with a bobbing deck beneath me and icy winds whipping.

This is an Arctic Tern. A Ranger told me this is the longest-migrating bird. It migrates from Arctic Circle to Antarctic Circle!








These are (I think) Kittiwake. They live on barren glaciers waiting for calving (thunderous cracking and falling of ice) so they can swoop down on the fish disturbed by the turbulent ripples.





Surf Scoter. Plenty at sea and near docks.




Bald Eagles were also aplenty!











And they're all shot in places like these:





There's more, if you're not ho-humming yet.

[Romy Ocon]

Wow Ding, I thought I was in Naturescapes forum when I saw these captures..... great shots!

[Ralf Nabong]

Great set Ding! I love the bald eagle and the landscape shots

[JP Cariño]

Wow Ding! Romy is right, its like being in naturescapes

[mantarey]

Wow, back with a vengeance. The bald eagle shot is Nat Geo quality. Great work Ding.

[Neon Rosell II]

Wow!! Ding, those are awesome shots!! More please!!

[Teddy Regpala]

I'd like to see more!

Very nice Ding.

Some day, I'll do that Alaska thing. (I'm so inggit)

[William Nguyen]

Lovely nature set Ding, the wildlife and landscape is just amazing

[Ding Carpio]

Thanks, guys. Here are a few more.

I think this is a Tufted Puffin.




Really lovely birds but very shy. When you get near, they run. Yes, they RUN on water.





It's actually a very funny sight.

A lot of other water birds also do the same thing. They skitter on two feet aided by wings, pretty much like a gorilla galloping on feet and knuckles.










Never knew gulls wore red eyeliners


Now, this bird landed on deck for a few seconds. I thought it was a European Tree Sparrow but it has a yellow crown. Anybody know what it is?




Lots of birds so far out in the sea , too. Appreciate if someone can tell me what they are:



Sometimes, gulls play with the Sealions, too.


Again, the animals are from this perfect chill-out place.

[Eric Patdu]

Nice photos Ding!

The ETS like bird I believe is the Golden-crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia atricapilla) in its breeding color. But I could be wrong though because I'm not yet very familiar with the birds here in the US. Just looked it up at my reference book, National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America. Plus, that bird does not range in our place in NJ.

[Bob Kaufman]

WooHooo, Ding! Great Alsakan harvest! The Bald Eagle really is the crowning glory! I'm so envious, pare!

Your sparrow is the Golden-crowned Sparrow. These guys migrate here in California in winter. Here's a shot I have of this species.

[voltaire yap]

Great captures!

Voltaire

[Ding Carpio]

Yes, those bald eagles are a treasure. There were actually about a dozen of them picking herring from the sea. There was even (I think) an immature one.

Too bad they mostly had their backs turned from me.

The park ranger said that mostly eagles are scavengers. Most of the photos we see of eagles swooping in for a large fish were setups: The photographer floats a dead fish with the aid of ping-pong ball/s then lurks nearby waiting for a bird.

The story was that Ben Franklin argued that the eagle should not be the national bird as it is a mere scavenger. It should, instead, be the Wild Turkey as it is native to the continent. But he lost the argument because many found it ridiculous to have a turkey on the presidential seal. :-)

Here's a little secret: You know those bald eagles? They really aren't!

[Lydia Robledo]

Jun 24, 2008 21:24:25 GMT Ding Carpio said:

Yes, those bald eagles are a treasure. .

Here's a little secret: You know those bald eagles? They really aren't!

He, he Ding, I wish we can say the same about the MASTAH.

I enjoyed viewing your gallery of Alaskan birds, esp. those walking on water.

A foretaste of heaven... that's what you've got!

telyd

[tina mallari]

WOWWWWWWWW such an amazing place. Looks like you had the time of your life Ding !!!! Wonderful company, beautiful surroundings and such a variety of birds. You must have been in seventh heaven during your vacation