October 6, 2010 Arcticulates ® Focusing on Alaska's Beauty Author: K. Fields Alaska's Fall Colors #2 During Alaska's Fall Season the ground cover in the wooded areas are bright with color as you can see with this low bush cranberry plant filled with wild, ripe cranberries. The cranberries are always ready after the first heavy frost. The air is heavy with the smell of ripe cranberries. They are easy to locate with the vibrant red and green leaves, and easy to gather. When ever I am harvesting wild berries I imagine what I will be making with them during the winter season. Like: Wild Cranberry Muffins Low-Bush Cranberries Photo by: Mike Kingston The beautiful wild cat and only wild cat in Alaska, the Lynx is very hard to see in the fall colors, as the tan and browns of the fur blend right into most of the background colors. Tho I am quite sure they are happy to see the change of seasons as this means the wild hares are also starting to change from brown to white, making it easier to see them, until we have the first heavy snowfall. Lynx Photo by: Dwight Phillips The colors during this time of the year can be short lived but spectacular. The variegated waves of oranges, yellows, reds, and greens mixed with the blue skies, snowcapped mountains, and dark spruce trees can be a sight that takes your breath away. This time of year everyone is busy preparing the outdoors for the first snow. Getting things put away, firewood stocked up for the long winter season almost upon us. Alaska's Fall Season Photo by: Dwight Phillips This is also the time where the migrating birds are gathering for the last time this year in the waters and fields around us, getting ready to head south. The air rings with the honking sounds of the many varieties of ducks and geese flying overhead in great v shaped flight patterns. This is the best time to get pictures of the beautiful swans pictured below as they also gather together for a long flight out of Alaska. We are only blessed with their presence for a few months. It can be rather sad to see them fly away.. but they will be back next year. Swans Photo by: Mike Kingston There are many bears that are out and about this time of year, gathering up the last bits of berries, bark, grasses and wildlife meals before they find their hibernating place for the long winter months. Since this is also the time for hunting season, the hunters must be aware of their surroundings at all times. Because the Grizzly Bears which are huge... will gladly steal the fresh meat from a hunter. And possibly the hunter could become the fresh meat. It is a dangerous situation to run into a Grizzly Bear. Grizzly Bear Photo by: K Fields The Caribou's colors blend into the brown and tan colored grasses in the fields and wooded areas.. This is also the time to hunt them, which hightens the challenge to find them because of the color blending. I have also found it fascinating that these beautiful big animals with antlers that can be almost the length and height of the animal itself, can walk into the edge of a forest of trees and disappear. You literally cannot see them. It is like a cartoon.. Now you see them... now you don't. Caribou Photo by: Mike Kingston The Eagles still don't seem to have a problem finding prey even with all the colors turning brown. They swoop down from no-where and grab a rodent, or hare that could be a few feet away from where we are standing. This beautiful and rare shot of a Golden Eagle carrying off it's prey, shows how well they can blend into the fall colors. They also can sit in a tree and you won't see them unless they move. Amazing again at such a large bird being able to blend in so well. Golden Eagle with Prey Photo by: Richard Mitchell Fall is so quick, if you blink you will miss it here in Alaska, but let me tell you if you do take the time to go for a ride or hike around outside, you will be amazed at what you find. It is so exhilarating, feeling the sharp coolness in the breezy air, and hearing the leaves fall from the trees all around you. And looking across a beautiful deep blue lake filled with big honking, squawking birds.. I wouldn't miss it for anything! Later... K Fields See Also: Chilly Reception Digg Please Hey! Please Stumble It! Add to Technorati Favorites Please Rate at Blogged! Mixx it Please! Engage my post Kudo Me! Reddit You are welcome to comment in the box below. Please keep in mind that this is a child friendly site. Thank You! I look forward to meeting you and reading your thoughts.

Return to: Arcticulates' Home Archives Author: K. Fields Alaska, USA I live in Northern Alaska! Hence the unique spelling of my blog title. I love Alaska! It can be a challenging place to live, but... the beauty that surrounds me makes it all worth while. This blog/website is my opinion or views on what I hear, or see, on just about anything! Mixed with some genuine facts! Did you know that you can have all the new Arcticulates' posts sent directly to your email or favorite RSS feeder? All you have to do is click on Arcticulates' Feed for this free service. Thank-you! Arcticulates' Feed Recent Posts! Snowshoe Hare Bunnies Majestic Eagles Ice Sculpture Winners 2009 Polar Bear Conundrum Oil.. Alaska's Liquid Gold Whooo Loves Owls? Triumphant Harvest Garden Raiders Most Popular Posts! Magnificent Eagles Grizzly Situation! Glimpse of Autumn! High One or Not! Other Areas! Cooking in Alaska Reviews Links / Blogroll Alaska Jokes Archives Interior of Alaska Arcticulates' Disclosure Policy

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