Island Byways

Life on an Alaskan Island. 

Big storms and strong winds often bring unusual birds to our shores. There are lots of swans in the area now - visiting Mission and Potato Patch Lakes in town and Kalsin Pond further out the road. Spring is slowly appearing on Alaska's Kodiak Island. 

Kodiak Marine Science Symposium (KAMSS) is just around the corner - a great opportunity for the community to learn about the marine research going on around us. Ranging from fisheries and climate research to birds and archaeology, there's something for everyone at KAMSS 2021.  And...where have all the ravens gone? Life on Kodiak Island in Alaska. 

The birds think it is spring, the beach grass thinks it's spring...maybe it is Spring! Plus, birding workshops coming up at Kodiak College. Life on an island in the Gulf of Alaska. 

12 glorious hours of daylight and climbing! The difference between the Equilux and Vernal Equinox and more. Observations about life on an island in the Gulf of Alaska. 

Outdoor film festivals, cold temps, and gazing at the Milky Way - life on Kodiak Island in the Gulf of Alaska. 

Spring migrants, Jupiter and Saturn showing off just before dawn, and beautiful Emperor Geese gracing Middle Bay, Gibson's Cove, and Womens Bay. Life on Alaska's Kodiak Island. 

Wacky weather days, eiders of the Steller variety, and more about life on an island in the Gulf of Alaska. 

We're gaining daylight at a little under 5 minutes a day now - extra time to enjoy the outdoors on a beautiful island in the North Pacific.

Loving the characters of Kodiak this week. It is Valentine's, after all. A little show about life on an island called Kodiak. 

Whales, birds, fisher poets, and more...Life on Kodiak Island. 

Golden-crowned kinglets, owls, herons - more birds than you can shake a stick at on Alaska's Kodiak Island.

Lunchbreak birding brings a plethora of ducks into view and the beautiful Steller's Eider is a special treat. Life on Alaska's Kodiak Island in the North Pacific.  

Staying safe while backcountry skiing, snowboarding, etc. after fresh snow, an upcoming storytelling event, and comments are due by January 31st on the Pacific Spaceport Master Plan 2020 -2030. You can find the plan at akaerospace.com/spaceports.  Life is rarely dull on this Alaskan island in the North Pacific. 

Some reflections on a tumultuous, historic week. Life on an island in the North Pacific. 

Saying goodbye to 2020 and looking forward to the year ahead. Learning to enjoy time rather than wishing it away.  Thoughts from an Alaskan island in the North Pacific. 

All Alaskans look forward to the winter solstice when we begin to gain daylight. Kodiak celebrates with the rest of the state with the Harbor Lights Festival and Parade and the Light the Rock Holiday Home Lights Tour.  Winter Solstice on a little island in the North Pacific. 

Watching the Geminids, learning about the winter birds of Kodiak, and a special holiday retrospective concert by Isle Bells. Life on Kodiak Island. 

Let the decorating begin...oh wait! It has already begun. Many of us on the island are anxious to add some light to the holiday season - perhaps a little earlier than usual. Right on cue, the full moon lights our night sky next week, too. Life on Kodiak Island. 

Blustery November weather, looking for Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, Mercury, and Mars in the night (or morning) sky.  Life on Kodiak Island. 

Stories are the fabric of cultures worldwide - including Kodiak. Learn about Galley Tables, a local storytelling event and how you can participate in a nationwide story gathering effort over the holidays. Life on Alaska's Kodiak Island. 

The Taurids meteor shower, finding the North Star, and the American Dipper. Exploring the celestial and things terra firma on Alaska's Kodiak Island. 

A pumpkin parade, a relatively unusual full moon, and familiar celestial sights. Life on Kodiak Island in Alaska. 

Stormy seas, blustery days, a Galley Tables storytelling event, and a visit by a pod of killer whales. A busy week on Alaska's largest island, Kodiak.  (Trivia tidbit: Kodiak is the second-largest island in the US - second only to our neighbor to the south, Hawaii.)

Big tides, changeable weather, and the Orionid Meteor Shower are all topics on this week's edition of Island Byways. A little show about life on an island in the North Pacific.