Those Birds Don't Watch Themselves - Nome

Flying over a glacier enroute to Anchorage, AK

It's been 17 years since my last visit to AK. Not sure how I stayed away for so  long.  I was supposed to be here last year, but you know - sick. So, here I am making up for lost time. Flew to Seattle on Tuesday and on to Anchorage today. I arrived late morning, but my flight to Nome was not until early evening. That left me with loads of hours to fill between my flights. There was nothing to do but wander the Anchorage Airport and kill time. I'm an excellent time killer. I mean, time 'filler'. 

Wandering about I admired the loads of artwork scattered about 

There were a pair of Canada Goose in the terminal... I watched, but as they didn't do anything but stare back, I moved along.

I gave in to a little window shopping at the many, I mean MANY shops in the terminal
These fur scarves were interesting...

The 'rose' on the fur is - well, it's fur.

Interesting how the Alaska furs are snipped and dyed so artistically. I wonder in what other states could one wear a fur and not get rode out of town on a rail?

Stop trying to tempt me into purchase oh baskets with cute bone ornaments
in their middles - salmon left basket, bear to the right

Got a kick out of this tee-shirt

There is a small museum of Native Alaskan 'arts', i.e., beautiful hand made tools, baskets, clothing and such, in the Terminal. Hurrah! I got my museum fix. 

Superlative collection of baskets from many regions of Alaska

Grass socks made of native Alaskan grasses. I think they would be worn inside one's seal skin boots.

This is an intricate loon mask

I was so busy photographing the flags over this archway that I paid no attention to the words "Do Not Enter". I innocently wanted through it and as a result I had to go through TSA yet again. *sigh*

These flags were too much distraction for me

At long last it was time for my First Class from Anchorage to Nome. First Class fare to Nome was only a little bit more than coach fares, so why not? Thus I had my first ever fancy schmansie first class flight. Go me! Waited until the lady next to me hit the rest room to ask the air hostess to take my picture. If they could see me now! *dons top hat, grabs cane'.

The route from Anchorage to Nome isn't direct. The jet first flies north of Nome to the ensie wiensy town of Kotzebue. Now THAT is a small airport! 

Beautiful Downtown Kotzebue

The Nome Airport was just as small too, but I've flown into smaller. At the Nome Airport I spotted my Yellowbilled Tours owner and leader, Richard Cimino. He is a cheery fellow who introduced me to the rest of our group: Tom, Bill and Rolly. Richard drove us to the Aurora Inn where our rooms awaited us. The Aurora was stuffed to the gills with birders and photographers from around the world.

Dropping off our luggage and we were off, first for some reconnoitering over dinner at a Nome diner. Here we were practically reminded that 'eats' are super expensive when pretty much everything must be flown in. At our table, Richard gave each of us a folder containing lists of birds we hope to see and a map showing the routes he will drive us over this week.

Once we were all wised up, we headed out for a little evening birding. As Nome is just a little south of the Arctic Circle, we had daylight a plenty. We drove east, adjacent to the Bering Sea, where lots of gold dredging get-ups were on the sandy beach. Richard said that gold dredging is a bustling business in Nome, as vast numbers of Ruth Goldberg sort of home-made vehicles hunt for gold. There is a required distance from shore for the gold dredging, is based on the size of the dredging contraption.

But we were here for the birds - so many birds! There were three types of Jaegers overhead, loads of Arctic Terns, Brant Geese flew along or lolled along the Bering Sea.

Red-necked Loon

Bar-tailed Godwit, a shore bird I don't see too often

 And of course the reason there are so many species of birds up in Nome, is NESTING! Loads of different birds - warblers, shorebirds, several gull species, ducks and the lot, visit Nome to take advantage of the nesting opportunities.

A Long-tailed Jaeger nesting on a little hillock

Beautiful and wary Red-necked Loon nesting in reeds on a small pond

When we'd very nearly had our fill of night time/daylight birding, we headed back to the Aurora Inn to ready ourselves for tomorrow's adventures.