AdministratorBirds Pictures The Weekly Picture Wildlife

A Snowbird – One of God’s Little Creatures of the Air

WEST JUNEAU WEEKLY PICTURE

A Dark-Eyed Junco (Oregon subspecies shown) – Twice Life-Size

Dark-Eyed Junco (Oregon subspecies).

Dark-Eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)

Two subspecies in Alaska: Slate-Colored which breeds north of Yakutat Bay and Oregon which breeds south of Yakutat Bay. Both occur in Southeastern Alaska when not breeding, however in West Juneau the Slate-colored subspecies is rarely seen.

Common in Southeastern Alaska in Spring, Summer, and Fall, Uncommon in Winter but frequently seen in West Juneau during the winter.

Normal Length: 5-1/2"

Habitat: Breeding – coniferous forests and forest edges, clearings, muskegs. Nests on the ground. Easily attracted to feeders.

Song: Loud, musical trill, all on one pitch.

Picture by David Kent, 11:14 a.m. ADT, September 8, 2005, © 2005

AdministratorInsects Pictures The Weekly Picture Wildlife Winter

How Cold Is This Winter Going To Be?

WEST JUNEAU WEEKLY PICTURE

How Cold Is This Winter Going To Be?

Woolly Bear Caterpillar.

Make your own prediction based on how woolly or un-woolly this Woolly Bear Caterpillar is. This little one, shown much larger than life-size in a scratched 10 oz. Pyrex® bowl, was captured and released on Nowell Avenue eight days ago.

Picture by David Kent, 5:19 p.m. ADT, October 10, 2006, © 2006