Hungry Puffin

Ron Niebrugge Alaska, Lake Clark, Photos, Travel, Wildlife 12 Comments

Puffin

Horned Puffin, Lake Clark National Park, Alaska.

I understand that puffin have the unique ability to catch and hold fish in their beaks, allowing them to continue to fish and capture more.  Every puffin I saw with fish seemed to have at least 5!

Horned Puffin

Ron Niebrugge Alaska, Lake Clark, Photos, Travel, Wildlife 10 Comments

Horned Puffin

Horned Puffin, Lake Clark National Park, Alaska.

We just got home and are still beaming from an awesome trip! 

Although I loved spending time with the bears, puffin were actually at the top of my wish list.  You see I often get requests for this beautiful bird, and live next to a very large population, but have never been able to photograph them up close until this trip.  Now I can put an end to that frustration.

I have joked in the past that puffin really don’t exist – that they are just a cartoon character like Bugs Bunny.  Having seen them up close and personal, I can attest that they are real, and they are spectacular!

Here are more Puffin photos.

Brown Bear Sow and Cub

Ron Niebrugge Alaska, Lake Clark, Photos, Travel, Wildlife 10 Comments

Brown Bear Sow and Cub

Brown bear sow and cub, Lake Clark National Park, Alaska.

This sow was able to repeatedly dig up clams with incredible effectiveness.  On the other hand, the poor cub dug and dug, but was never able to find a single clam – at least while I watched.  I don’t think it had learned exactly where to dig just yet.  After awhile, the cub went over and began watching his mom very, very closely – it was really fascinating to watch.  I don’t know if he was a very attentive student, or just really hungry!

Since we have some brief internet access, I thought I would post a quick update.  As you can probably tell, we are having an awesome trip!

Here are more brown bear photos.

Getting Better!

Ron Niebrugge Alaska, Chugach, Photos, Travel, Wildlife 13 Comments

Brown Bear Close-up

I moved my remote setup from the stream to this trail leading to the stream.  It isn’t as scenic of a location, but it is safer for my camera gear 🙂 , and had more predictable bear activity.  This one turned out pretty good, but I want to keep improving on the idea.

Brown bears sure have big heads!