August 18, 2008: Denali National Park, Alaska

We spent most of today on the 8 hour Denali National Park Bus Tour that went as far as the Eielson Visitor Center (link) and back. This was a great tour! It was probably not worth the extra $$ for the premium tours, as we had such a great time on this one! Our bus driver, Jeremiah, was very knowledgable and a great tour guide! (Bus tour info)

We had dinner for the evening at McKinley Creekside Cabins and took a short hike again there....

Moose

Above 2: Willow Ptarmigans

A Grizzly Bear

One of the nice views from the park road

Early on the mountains were mostly covered by clouds (above two)

Red Fox

Caribou (above and below)

Above two: Great views from the Eielson Visitor Center

Nice view of a caribou

A view of the Denali Park Highway from the bus

I never thought I would get this good of a view of a wild Wolf! (above and below)

Flying Golden Eagle

Above and Below: Great shots of a Grizzly cub right next to the bus!

His mother bear was not far behind!

Dark-Eyed Junco at Denali National Park

Carlo Creek, just south of Denali National Park

More signs of fall near Carlo Creek

Interesting ground cover near Carlo Creek

More Fireweed (this was everywhere in Alaska)

DENALI NATIONAL PARK AREA (INTERACTIVE)

August 15, 2008: Denali Highway, Alaska

Today we spent the whole day driving the amazing Denali Highway. It is gravel and dirt, but mostly very passable. If you can do only one scenic drive in Alaska, choose this one: It's amazing! We spent another night at Tangle River Inn (link) and ate there as well. The weather was chilly (upper 40's to low 50's, cold for August for us, but normal there!) but the scenery well worth it! Birding would be a bit better earlier in the summer, but we still saw a bunch of stuff....

Savannah Sparrow at the Inn

American Tree Sparrows at the Inn Fox Sparrow at the Inn
Common Loon flying past Tangle Lake
A flock of caribou along the Highway

Blackpoll Warbler

Orange Crowned Warbler

One of the great Denali Highway views

White-Crowned Sparrow

Gray Jay

MacClaren Lakes

This was one of the highest spots we got to in Alaska

Tundra scenes from near the Maclaren Summit (above photos) Above: Common Loons
Northern Harrier

Arctic Ground Squirrel

This Bald Eagle was on the ground on the side of the road


Above three: Views of the Denali Highway
More tundra
There were many little ponds on the tundra

Merlin
Flying Merlin
Mew Gull
Juvenile Mew Gull

Above: This Moose walked along the road
Willow Ptarmigan
Common Raven
He had a porcupine quill in his face! These distant caribou were spotted on a snow bank

Above: More tundra scenes

Alder Flycatcher
Above and Below: Closeup shots of the turning tundra

A view of the general area around the eastern Denali Highway (Today's Photos)