Alaska - part 4 - Hyder

Blue Lagoon by Fish Creek

Since mid July, we have been volunteering at the Wildlife Observation Deck on Fish Creek just north of Hyder, Alaska.  Located on the most southeastern area of Alaska adjecent to Stewart, British Columbia.

Part of America's National Forest - the Tongess is 17 million acres of protected temperate rain forest consisting of Sitka Spruce, Mountain Hemlock and Yellow Cedar.  We spent everyday on the boardwalk visiting with tourists from all over the world about the spawning Chum and Pink Salmon in the creek and the Coastal Brown and Black Bears that come to dine on the awaiting sushi buffet.

Forest Service Fish Counting Crew

Thousands of Salmon make their "Redds" in the creek

The Salmon swim from the Pacific Ocean up the 90 mile Portland Canal - the natural Fjord between British Columbia and Alaska.  Then they travel up the glacial water of the Salmon River to the fresh spring waters of Marx and Fish Creeks to spawn.

35" 30 pound male Chum Salmon

Mew Gull eating Salmon egg

Herring Gull eating Salmon eggs

Bald Eagles alert while drinking

Eagle has a great meal of salmon

Mmmm, Mmmm Good!

Eagle grabs Pink Salmon

Couldn't lift it so had to drag it to shore.

Coastal Brown Bear, our favorite photo subject

People Watching

Black Bear trying to figure out how to catch a big salmon

It's easier catching Elder Berries

Little Black Bear eating someone else's catch

Methusela's Beard Lichen sparkles with raindrops

3/4" railing knothole "garden"

We see God's creation from the smallest knothole garden to the majestic mountains that form this section of the Misty Fjords.

We have met a lot of great people here and feel a part of the family of the Baptist Church that we were welcomed into.

Golden-crowned Kinglet

We found 42 species of nesting birds in our small corner of this forest around Fish Creek.  Ty has donated photos of the most observed birds to the Forest Service to help them put together a Bird Brochure.

Common Merganser 

American Dipper

Brown Creeper

Swainson's Thrush

Three hungry mouths to feed

Yellow-rumped Warbler with Mayfly

Cedar Waxwing

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Belted Kingfisher

At the top of the Salmon River is the large Salmon Glacier, a beautiful site for those who venture up the twenty mile rough gravel road.

We will be moving south into Washington, following the Cascades, then the Oregon Coast and into Calfornia for Fall migration.


Moving along with the birds.

Love & Prayers,
Ty & Ida Baumann

Misty evening at the deck