August 17, 2008: Fairbanks, Alaska to Denali National Park

We started out this morning in Creamer's Field again. They had bird banding going on, which we went to see, but there was not much activity. After a brief hike through one of the University of Alaska's Arboretums, and a nature trail next to our hotel (Wedgewood Resorts), we drove south on the Parks Highway to the Denali National Park area.

In the evening we took a brief drive into the Park, as far as you can drive (which is not far) and got our tickets for one of the bus tours for the next day.

We stayed for two nights at the McKinley Creekside Cabins in Carlo Creek. Another great accomodation! They had a nice restaurant, and nice trails behind it along Carlo Creek.

We had another nice meal at the Denali Park Salmon Bake

An early morning Northern Harrier hunting over Creamer's Field

Morning dew on the Taiga Trail - Wedgewood Resort

Boreal Chickadee - Wedgewood Resort, Fairbanks, AK

Alaska Bird Observatory Creamer's Field Bird Banding Station: (Link)

Grey-Cheeked Thrush

Northern Waterthrush

Common Raven at Creamer's Field

Northern Waterthrush at Creamer's Field

Savannah Sparrow at Creamer's Field

White-Crowned Sparrow at Creamer's Field

Above 3: More Sandhill Crane shots at Creamer's Field

Warbler in the Univ. of Alaska Arboretum (Yellow-Rumped?)

There were lots of berries as ground cover in the Arboretum

There's a plate you don't see every day

Red-Necked Phalaropes on the Parks Highway

Mountain scenery in the western park of Denali National Park

Caribou in the park

I think this actually was our closest view of a Black Bear in the park

Snowshoe Hare in the park

Some aspen leaves had this weird pattern in them...

Signs of Autumn - Carlo Creek trail at McKinley Creekside Cabins

TODAY'S LOCATIONS (INTERACTIVE)
TODAY'S ROUTE