Gavin Bieber and Steve Howell: A second report from their ongoing tour Alaska: The Majesty of the North

There's more to life than birds - the mammals here are truly amazing. Yesterday in warm sunny conditions we watched a pair of Bristle-thighed Curlews foraging on the tundra against a world-class backdrop of snow-cloaked peaks.  After having started the day with a roadside Gray Wolf (!) we ended the solstice under midnight on the sun-drenched rocky tundra by watching Red Knots in song flights with newly hatched chicks! What a day! It's also the breeding season for mammals, including a baby Alaskan Hare that could have fit in the palm of our hand, an innocent baby Spotted Seal sunning itself, and this morning a baby Beluga (dark, unlike the milky white adult). Plus delightful Aleutian Terns, Arctic Warblers singing everywhere, Bluethroat, Red-necked Stint, Arctic Loon, and the other usual suspects. Now on to Seward and finishing up in Barrow...

Bristle-thighed Curlew with a view

Roadside Gray Wolf (Editor comment: Not fair gentlemen, not fair....)

Baby Alaska Hare

Baby Spotted Seal

Mothern and calf Beluga

Aleutian Tern