The two of us took a professional day from school on Friday to take a two-day citizen science class down in Homer. Friday morning was fairly dull, but we were able to enjoy lunch on the Homer Spit. On our way there we got to observe a bald eagle bathing in a pool of water along side the road. Its wings were stirring the water up, allowing the splashes to cover its upper body and head. The afternoon classes were better. While we were outside building Sea Perch ROVs, a device that oceanographers using to look at the ocean floor, we heard pheasants. Pheasants in Alaska?
After class, we walked the Beluga Slough Trail where we spotted our first Alaskan butterfly. It was a small brown butterfly with orange and white streaking along the perimeter of its wings and a couple orange blotches towards the top. We identified it later as a Milbert’s Tortoiseshell. We learned in class that not much is known about butterflies in Alaska. We then walked down to Bishop’s Beach where we came across four Sandhill Cranes, making a migratory pit stop. The beach was at low tide with many tidal pools. We were hoping to find some cool creatures in the tidal pools, but alas, we were left disappointed. We checked out the Spit for a good camping spot and got a bite to eat at Captain Patties; a fish joint that serves halibut, salmon, scallops, prawns, crab, and more. Yummy!
After supper we walked the docks of the harbor where we saw many common mergansers, common loons (still wearing their winter coat), and an ocean mammal of sorts that scared us a couple times. Twice it popped its large black head out of the water scaring us with a loud exhale, only to pop back down before our eyes had a chance to focus in on the large animal. We set up camp around 9 o’clock, finding a spot on the Spit next to the water. We crawled into bed around 9:30 and read without the presence of any man-made lighting. After ten, when we went to bed it was still fairly light outside. The wind was breezy all day but died down once the sun had set given us a pleasant night of sleep. Although in long johns, fleece jackets, and wool socks, we slept very comfortably.
On Saturday morning I awoke to gulls already up and active at about 5 AM. About an hour later the sun began shining into our tent. We opened our door to snowy mountains and lapping waters of the Bay. We headed back to class for the morning. While driving down the road searching for a lunch spot, we looked to the right side of the road and saw a pheasant. A beautiful roost strutting his stuff. Apparently pheasant were introduced to Alaska not long ago and have been able to survive the environment with various grasses to feed off of. It was a little reminder of home.
On our way back to Kenai we stopped in at Clam Gulch, a beach between Soldotna and Homer, well known for clamming. A gorgeous beach that we hope to visit later this spring to do some clamming ourselves.
