(Pictured above, a Taiga Alpine – Ed.)
I started the day, as I’ve been starting every day, at the local supermarket, Fred Meyer. It’s huge! It also has a gas station. Unlike most gas station stores and vending machines, this one features a vending machine devoted to mosquito repellant. Famous for its mosquitoes, I had traveled here to Alaska with numerous cans of repellant along with a head net. Yet, amazingly, there have been almost no mosquitoes! Don’t let anyone know. Also, unlike supermarkets back East, Fred Meyer has successfully trained me to use self check-out. The parking lot is a favorite hang-out of Common Ravens, known to some Native Americans as “The Thief.” I imagined the one in the photo was attempting to run off with my rental car.
Four hours of driving yesterday left me wanting to take it somewhat easier today. I opted for staying reasonably local, visiting the Goldstream Bog and Murphy Dome. While there was no chance to see a lifer, still I’d get a chance to see many of these seldom-seen species another time. I was able to get a photo of mating Jutta Arctics in the bog. Up at Murphy Dome I saw a few more Taiga Alpines and a White-veined Arctic, a species new for this trip.
