One of the first places we hit however wasn't a pond full of birds. We returned to the Inupiat Cultural Center. George, and myself, wanted to buy hand carved figurines from James, one of the local Inupiat artisans there.
Massive room at the center where art happens
Artist James on the left, Richard and George
This was our last visit with James to pay him deposits and finalize what he was going to make and then ship. I commissioned a King, Steller's and Spectacled Eiders, to celebrate my lifers.
When we were done I got a photo of the Snowy Owl that James cared from a vertebrate bone and uses as a hood ornament on artist James' truck.
Being our last day in Utqiaġvik, after our visit to the art center we raced out to see if there were any birdies we missed.
Pair of Sandhill Cranes
Spectacled Eider behind a Greater White-fronted Goose
The last viewing of a bright, crayon-headed King Eider
At last we gave up the birding to race back to the King Eider Inn, to grab our luggage and head to the airport.
The 'Gang of Birders' in the airport, chatting while waiting for our jet to arrive
The last view of the Airport
For no good reason here is nearly 3 minutes of driving around town in Utqiaġvik. This town, full of 1st Nation Inupiats and various business interests from the lower 48 has a harsh environment. Weather here is too gawdawful for primping of landscaping with flowers or even the most modest vegetable garden. People who fuss about the culling of the area's wildlife for food by the Inupiats are are clueless. It is impossible to grow enough veggies here to keep body and soul together. Add to that, the price of veggies at the local grocery store isn't for the weak of heart or wallet. All the veggies (among a zillion other necessities) must be flown, or barge shipped in. So a video bonus here is listening to Rich telling us about his wife's reaction to grocery shopping when they were in Nome, another off the beaten path area of Alaska. Ask yourself, how much you might be willing to pay for a tin of cocktail fruit to brighten up your meal.
