Thursday, August 13, 2015

Denali Is Not A Zoo . . .

Denali 2015-08-12 1 (Moose)

Or so said our guide and driver as we set off on a 12 hour bus tour to the end of the road in Denali National Park. It's genuine wilderness. But, hey, I'm a tourist and I have to get my shots. The weather was miserable, cold and drizzly. It's obvious that summer is ending up here.

We had a moose cross the highway not far in front of us on the drive in. They say if you hit a moose with your car, you break its legs and the massive body comes through the windshield, often leading to your early demise. Not likely to see bear near the highway but I think they are totally scary and this was quite close enough.

The ptarmigan, seen below, is the official state bird but many say it should be the mosquito.

Driving to Fairbanks this morning for our last stop, then a succession of inconveniently timed flights home. We have 12 hour layover in Anchorage Friday - we'll get a car for the day and have one last look around before a red eye flight down south. Posts may be irregular for a while.                   

Denali 2015-08-12 4 (Bear)

Denali 2015-08-12 2 (Bear)

Denali 2015-08-12 3 (Ptarmigan)

Denali 2015-08-12 6 Mosquito Net)

Denali 2015-08-12 5

5 comments:

William Kendall said...

The bear is magnificent!

Norma said...

The moose is my favorite!

s.c said...

Great shots. So we met a moose also but we were walking and she was with a child nibbling on some twigs. Lucky for us we all could continue our way without harm. Denali sounds a bit african in my ears.

Sharon said...

I love all the wildlife shots!

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Just went back to see your excellent travel shots Bob.. What a wonderful time you two are having! I can only imagine how many photos you would have taken :)