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Five Bohemian waxwings rest on a snowy branch between bouts of feeding. (Courtesy Photo / Kerry Howard)

On the Trails: Variable sightings and weather in winter

Winter is an odd time of year here.

Five Bohemian waxwings rest on a snowy branch between bouts of feeding. (Courtesy Photo / Kerry Howard)
Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell 
A tiny bird tooth — 73 million years old — found in bluffs of the Colville River. Lauren Keller carried this sample to her presentation at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Alaska Science Forum: Birds in Alaska, 70 million years ago

They’re no spring chickens.

Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell 
A tiny bird tooth — 73 million years old — found in bluffs of the Colville River. Lauren Keller carried this sample to her presentation at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Lucy consults with Builder Nic Howell on float house construction issues. (Courtesy Photo / Lucy Moline-Robinson)

Planet Alaska: A float house named Sea Pig

“I’ve always had a fascination with float house life.”

Lucy consults with Builder Nic Howell on float house construction issues. (Courtesy Photo / Lucy Moline-Robinson)
Killdeer can be seen in winter and nest here in spring. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)

On the Trails: Breaking out the snowshoes

Surprise! A starlit night, a nice day, lower temperatures, and then some lovely snow.

Killdeer can be seen in winter and nest here in spring. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)
This photo shows Point Louisa at Auke Recreational Area. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

Wild Shots: Photos of Mother Nature in Alaska

Superb reader-submitted photos of wildlife, scenery and/or plant life.

This photo shows Point Louisa at Auke Recreational Area. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)
Ravens like this one inspire people to respond to their calls, and sometimes to pick up a pencil. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Butterflies and ravens as poetic inspiration

Both poets and scientists are deep observers who interpret the world in different ways.

Ravens like this one inspire people to respond to their calls, and sometimes to pick up a pencil. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)
Max Webster explains the history of Boys Life magazine. (Courtesy Photos / Matt Dobson)

Scouting out 110 years of history

Culmination of the scouts working to complete their Scouting Heritage Merit Badge.

Max Webster explains the history of Boys Life magazine. (Courtesy Photos / Matt Dobson)
Jay Dóosh Tláa Zeller dances in celebration in front of the newly installed mural depicting Elizabeth Kaaxgal.aat Peratrovich, a Tlingit civil rights icon, on Sept. 1. Zeller served as the Sealaska Heritage Institue project coordinator for the mural, which was done by Tlingit and Athabascan artist, designer, and activist Crystal Kaakeeyaa Worl and her team of apprentices. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

Celebration marks completion of mural

A place of “honor, dignity and respect”

Jay Dóosh Tláa Zeller dances in celebration in front of the newly installed mural depicting Elizabeth Kaaxgal.aat Peratrovich, a Tlingit civil rights icon, on Sept. 1. Zeller served as the Sealaska Heritage Institue project coordinator for the mural, which was done by Tlingit and Athabascan artist, designer, and activist Crystal Kaakeeyaa Worl and her team of apprentices. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire file
The design for the new gold $1 Elizabeth Peratrovich coin was on display during the Elizabeth Peratrovich Day celebration at the Tlingit and Haida Community Council on Feb. 16, 2020.

Program minted to spread Peratrovich dollars

A program could bring $1 coins to Alaska financial intuitions,

  • Feb 15, 2023
  • By Ben Hohenstatt Juneau Empire
Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire file
The design for the new gold $1 Elizabeth Peratrovich coin was on display during the Elizabeth Peratrovich Day celebration at the Tlingit and Haida Community Council on Feb. 16, 2020.
The red flowers of the native columbine are caused by anthocyanins. (Courtesy Photo / Deana Barajas)

On the Trails: The many roads to red

Red and reddish colors can be produced in many ways, by a variety of pigment molecules.

The red flowers of the native columbine are caused by anthocyanins. (Courtesy Photo / Deana Barajas)
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File 
A porcupine dines in mid-August near the Mendnehall Glacier.

On the Trails: Putting a finer point on porcupines

Plants such as roses and devil’s club aren’t the only prickly ones…

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File 
A porcupine dines in mid-August near the Mendnehall Glacier.
A Compton tortoiseshell butterfly pauses between flights in Two Rivers resident Rod Boyce’s garage in January 2023. Photo by Rod Boyce.

Alaska Science Forum: Butterflies in the middle of winter

Waiting in the wings for spring.

A Compton tortoiseshell butterfly pauses between flights in Two Rivers resident Rod Boyce’s garage in January 2023. Photo by Rod Boyce.
Alpine meals are great, but it's tough to beat the satisfaction of a hot meal on the shore after fishing through a run for steelhead. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

I Went to the Woods: Either or, probably not both

It’s really difficult to double-major both in college and in life.

Alpine meals are great, but it's tough to beat the satisfaction of a hot meal on the shore after fishing through a run for steelhead. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)
This photo shows frozen salmonberries for use all winter. (Courtesy Photo / Vivian Faith Prescott)

Planet Alaska: Salmonberries in winter

Sometimes in the winter, I dream of salmonberries…

This photo shows frozen salmonberries for use all winter. (Courtesy Photo / Vivian Faith Prescott)
Dorolyn Alper collage art, seen here, is part of her newest series, “Juneau with a twist” and will be available for viewing on First Friday. Alper is Juneau Artists Gallery’s featured artist for the month of February. (Courtesy Photo / Juneau Artists Gallery)

Here’s what’s happening for First Friday

Dorolyn Alper is Juneau Artists Gallery’s featured artist for February.

Dorolyn Alper collage art, seen here, is part of her newest series, “Juneau with a twist” and will be available for viewing on First Friday. Alper is Juneau Artists Gallery’s featured artist for the month of February. (Courtesy Photo / Juneau Artists Gallery)
Bog laurel plants are toxic to mammals; pollinating bees that feed on the pollen make toxic honey. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)

On the Trails: A green world

Five decades ago, some well-known ecologists looked around and noted that their terrestrial world was very green. Why didn’t herbivores demolish the greenery? The observers… Continue reading

Bog laurel plants are toxic to mammals; pollinating bees that feed on the pollen make toxic honey. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)
An Alaska blackfish that once lived in a tank at the Fairbanks office of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)
An Alaska blackfish that once lived in a tank at the Fairbanks office of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)
Juneau-based actor Xáalnook Erin Tripp was recently named one of the 2023 Artists in Business Leadership Fellows for First Peoples Fund program. Tripp said she intends to use to program’s grant funding to set up a professional recording studio in Juneau for her voice acting career and to share with other artists in the community. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Juneau-based actor Xáalnook Erin Tripp was recently named one of the 2023 Artists in Business Leadership Fellows for First Peoples Fund program. Tripp said she intends to use to program’s grant funding to set up a professional recording studio in Juneau for her voice acting career and to share with other artists in the community. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Arnold Vosloo as Colonel Bach addresses US soldiers in latest film, “Condor’s Nest” in theaters and digital release on Friday. (Courtesy Photo / PMKBNC)
Arnold Vosloo as Colonel Bach addresses US soldiers in latest film, “Condor’s Nest” in theaters and digital release on Friday. (Courtesy Photo / PMKBNC)
A deer eats alder leaves (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)

On the Trails: Nitrogen — an essential element

It’s involved with almost all aspects of life.

A deer eats alder leaves (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)