Saturday, November 9, 2024

Saturday's Critters # 569

  Welcome to Saturday's Critters! Hello and Happy Saturday!


 If you love all God's creatures like I do and also like to blog about them and take critter photos this is where you can share your critter post. Link up your post and share your critters, join in with my critter party ! You can share any kind of critters the real ones, pretend ones, statues and paintings, a new or old post!


This was our last full day in Alaska, we were making our way back to Anchorage from Glacier View. We made a few stops at some nature areas before returning our rental car. We had a good 12 hours at the Anchorage airport before our 2am flight back to Seattle.


1. The sunrise from the Glacier View lodge, we got an early start on the road back to Anchorage. 





2.  Our first stop was at a place called Reflections Lake, a short distance from the Glenn Hwy.  My bird sightings were few, a lone Spotted Sandpiper and a little flock of Black-billed Magpies. 




I liked this photo showing the mountains in the background and the Black-billed Magpie in flight looks pretty. 








3. A closer look at the beautiful Black-billed Magpie, he/she showing off their pretty colors, of black, white and blue sheen. 






4. The juvenile Spotted Sandpiper was standing at the edge of the lake.  





5. A closer look at the Spotted Sandpiper, most likely a juvenile. 





6. Reflections Lake, Palmer Hay Flats a game refuge. 





7. A view of the trail at the Palmer Hay Flats, this hiking trail is around a mile. A loop trail around the Reflections Lake. 






8. Another stop before returning our rental car was at the Westchester Lagoon near downtown Anchorage, also nearby is the Fish Creek Estuary and the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. Of course it had to rain while we were there, the views could be seen from the car while we were parked in the lot. Below are birds seen the Red-necked Grebe, Trumpeter Swans and some Mallards. 




Rainy days are not good for bird photos but I wanted to get a record of all the birds I saw while in Alaska. Below is a groups of the Trumpeter Swans. 






I am linking up to Heidrun's Mosaic Monday  I hope you can stop by and visit Heidrun and check out the Mosaic Monday post.




Thanks to all my visitors and for your past and present comments. Stop back to see any replies to your comments. I appreciate everyone who loves and respects wildlife. Thank you for linking up a critter post.






Here is my linky:




Thank you for sharing your critters and post!

112 comments:

EricaSta said...

The Spotted Sandpiper is my favorite... :))) He looks, like I'm feeling in this cold & rainy days in November now. But he's face is funny too. You, dear Eileen, made a very good Job with your camera indeed. There are wonderful scenes, with wonderful mood.
Thank you for sharing and for hosting. Have a good week!
Hugs by Heidrun

rupam sarma said...

Amazing sunrise view, So beautiful bird's, Just loved this post.
Thank you so much for hosting:) Greetings

Mae Travels said...

Your Alaska trip looks wonderful. All the bird photos are neat. Too bad it rained for one of the opportunities.
Thanks for hosting ... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

William Kendall said...

Beautiful shots!

Cloudia said...

Lifetime memories Eileen! Thank you for sharing them and hosting us. Aloha!

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
ALL your pictures are pretty, Eileen - I suspect that Alaska, like any country with such variations in height of the land, cannot fail to look anything less! I particularly like your 'closer look' images today. YAM xx

Rostrose said...

I'll be back a little later! 😊
All the best, Traude

roentare said...

The sandpiper is looking great. The meandering path is intriguing

italiafinlandia said...

Lovely critters in your shots. I also like that pink sunrise very much.
Happy Saturday and happy, serene weekend!

Irma said...

Hello Eileen,
A beautiful series of photos from your trip to Alaska.
I think the sunrise is very beautiful.
The black-billed magpie is also very beautiful, we have magpies here too, but they look a bit different.
I wish you a very nice weekend.
Greetings Irma

chica said...

Fiqui encantada ao ver o lindo cú e todos os demais bichos desse sábado! Ótimo fim de semana! beijos, chica

Marit said...

Hello Eileen,
Your photos from Alaska are so beautiful. The sunrise is amazing! The hiking trail looks very nice. Take care, and have a great weekend!

NatureFootstep said...

So beautiful. Always loved to see the Sandpipers. Such nice birds.

Alexandra said...

How fitting is it to be able to stop at a place called "Reflections Lake" as you drive to the airport on your last day in Alaska! It's been a pleasure virtually following you on your trip. You have created many wonderful memories to "reflect" back on!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Looks like you had to be more content with scenery than birds, Eileen, and splendid though that is, it must have been a little disappointing. A magpie can always be counted on though. Have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Heidrun, for your critter link and your comment.
The Sandpiper is a cutie!
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for your critter link and your comment.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Mae, for your critter link and your comment.
The rain was a bummer, I was hoping our last day would be a good day for birding. Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you William, for your comment and your visit.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Cloudia, for your critter link and your comment.
Yes, I do have some great memories from our Alaska trip.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you YAM, for your critter link and your comment.
I do enjoy getting out there walking on the trails and looking for those closeups of the birds and critters.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Traude! Have a great weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for your critter link and your comment.
The Sandpiper is a pretty bird.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Luisella, for your comment and your visit.
It was a pretty pink sunrise, a great start to our last day.
Take care, have a great weekend.

Melbourne Australia Photos said...

Hello, Eileen. It's a beautiful locale and once again your wildlife photos are stunning. Thank you for hosting and have a great new week.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Irma, for your critter link and your comment.
I think the Magpies are pretty birds too.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thanks so much Chica, for your comment and visit.
Take care, enjoy your day and happy weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Marit, for your comment and your visit.
It was a pretty pink sunrise.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Monica, for your critter link and your comment.
The Sandpiper is a pretty bird.
Take care, have a great weekend.

Tom said...

...Eileen, you saw some lovely critters in beautiful landscapes. Thanks for hosting, take care and be well.

Jenn Jilks said...

You find so many birds and amazing scenery. Well done. Mine are the same old, same old, close to home.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Alexandra, for your critter link and your comment. We do have some great memories from our trip.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you David, for your critter link and your comment.
I do love the birds and wildlife, but I do enjoy seeing the scenery in new places too. Take care, have a great weekend.

Angie's Recipes said...

Early birds catch the worm :-) That morning shot is glorious. I love that hiking trail!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Nick, for your critter link and your comment.
It was a great trip!
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Tom, for your critter link and your comment.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Jenn, for your critter link and your comment.
You always have some great critter visitors.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Angie, for your comment and your visit.
It was a pretty sunrise.
Take care, have a great weekend.

DeniseinVA said...

You certainly saw many wonderful sights on your Alaska trip Eileen. Thank you for sharing them all, and for hosting. I always look forward to visiting on a Saturday morning. Wishing you a great weekend.

Bill said...

Beautiful scenery and beautiful birds. Have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Denise, for your comment and your visit.
We enjoyed Alaska and had some wonderful sightings and now memories. Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Bill, for your critter link and your comment.
Take care, have a great weekend.

magiceye said...

Beautiful photos!
Happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thanks so much for sharing your link and for the comment.
Take care, have a wonderful week!

Marie Smith said...

The magpies are beauties! I would love to see them in nature too. The first photo has such beautiful colour. Nature can take our breath away for sure. As always, great captures, Eileen.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Marie, I appreciate the comment.
The Magpies are pretty, nature is amazing.
Have a great weekend.

Penelope Notes said...

That is a serene shot of the mountains in the background and the Black-billed Magpie, casting a beautiful smudge mid-flight.

carol l mckenna said...

Favorite is the Magpie and and awesome Alaskan sky ~ thanks,

Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
clm ~ A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

The Magpie is such a big beautiful bird and fun to see. Rainy days are always expected on a vacation but at least you could take photos from the car! Love your Alaska adventure photos!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Maria, for your link and your comment.
The views of the mountains in Alaska were stunning. Photos do not do justice to the real thing.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Carol, for your link and your comment.
I enjoyed seeing the magpies and the sunrise was beautiful.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Diane, for your link and your comment.
The Magpies are beautiful. Even with the rainy day we enjoyed our visit. Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

MadSnapper said...

the word Precious came to mind when I saw the sandpiper and love that Black and white bird in flight. yikes on 12 hours to wait on a flight

stardust said...

Hello, Eileen - I like the 1st, 3rd, and 8th images above all among all the nice shots. Black-billed Magpie is so cute. I’m envious of your trip to Alaska.
Yoko

eileeninmd said...

Happy Saturday, thanks for the comment.
The Sandpiper is a cutie and the Magpies are pretty in flight. I was happy with my sightings. It was a long day, waiting for our flight, we arrived home the next afternoon.
Take care, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Yoko, I appreciate your comment and visit.
I have many great memories now from our Alaska trip.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

RedPat said...

The Magpies are my favourite, Eileen. You seemed to have had a great trip.

ellen b. said...

Love that sunrise shot, so pretty! The variety of birds were also great to see. I don't think our magpies have blue on them but I'm never able to get a good closeup shot. Hope you have a peaceful weekend, Eileen.

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

You made the most of your trip back and got some great photos and memories.
12 hours in an airport, ugh, I've done it. Better than driving!!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you RedPat, for your link and your comment.
I like the Magpies too, but then I like all the birds.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Ellen, for your comment and visit.
Sometimes the lighting has to be just right to see the blue sheen.Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Yogi, for your link and your comment.
We wished we booked a hotel room to hang out in for this time, it would have been better than sitting at the airport. We couldn't even check our luggage. Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

Iris Flavia said...

Beautiful sunrise, and what a beautifil Black-billed Magpie.
The lake... are you allowed tp swim in it, I wonder (we have one we are not and I see no reason)..
A wonderful trail. Have a happy crittery Saturday.

Jeanie said...

Magpies are so darned beautiful! And that opening shot -- wow. What a glorious sky!

Barbara Rogers said...

Loved the early morning sky in Alaska. So glad you went there, and saw some of their birds, as well as some that live right in your own back yard!

John's Island said...

Eileen, I admire the way you refresh your header photos. You’ve sure had some great ones lately. And, of course, I admire your Alaska trip. Thanks for sharing your photos. I enjoyed all of them and especially the Black-billed Magpie in flight. I can look at that image a long time … it’s just a beauty! Thanks, as always, for sharing and hosting. Happy days ahead to you and yours. John

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Iris, for your link and your comment.
I am not sure if swimming is allowed in that lake. It is a protected area for the ducks that breed and nest there.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Jeanie, for your comment!
I think the Magpies are beautiful too.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Barb, for your link and comment!
I do enjoy birdwatching, my simple pleasure.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you John, for your comment and visit.
My header photo is of our local reservoir.
The Magpie in flight is pretty, I had fun watching them flying around us. Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

Red said...

Rain in Alaska is like ice water!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Red, for your visit and comment.
We were lucky at least the temperatures were not cold, so the rain was not a cold rain. Have a great weekend.

Rostrose said...

Dear Eileen, I enjoyed accompanying you on your Alaska trips! A beautiful country that I don't know if I'll ever see in my lifetime, and I was happy about every animal you saw! The black-billed magpies have particularly beautiful plumage shades - in our country the magpies are pure black and white... Thank you very much for your kind words in my blog and for critters hosting, which I look forward to every week!
All the best, Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2024/11/weltreise-2024-8-station-new-york-new.html

Debbie said...

that alaskian sunrise is so beautiful!! seeing the magpie and sandpiper, what a treat!! this looks like a beautiful spot, i would love to visit alaska one day!! have a great weekend, it is supposed to be gorgeous, many thanks for hosting!!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Traude, for your link and your comment.
Hubby and I were happy to visit Alaska, this trip has been on our bucket list for some time. The Magpies are pretty birds. Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Debbie, for your link and your comment.
I am happy to see any birds in the wild and the Alaska scenery was beautiful. I hope you are doing well.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

HappyK said...

So nice seeing all your critter photos.
The sunrise is stunning. Looks like a painting.

Timelesslady said...

Lovely critters for this Saturday. I especially love the Magpies. We don't have them in our state, not even sure if they are in the US at all. I have birds that belong to the same family for my Saturday Critter post...I believe crows are related to Magpies. Thanks for hosting.

Lowcarb team member said...

Hello Eileen
That sunrise is lovely, such wonderful colour.
Also good to see the birds you saw, many thanks for sharing some great photographs.

Wishing you a good weekend.

All the best Jan

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Hi Eileen
Sorry for a late link up--we shoveled snow==lots of snow-- thios morning, and then I got distrated--- preparing vegetables fpor soup for diinner, and wtahcing some football games and realized it was Saturday---lol Loved all your photos and all the wildlife you see!

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

Great wildlife shots Eileen I really like the Sandpiper shot. Thanks for hosting, commenting and I hope you have a great week ahead

Linda said...

So nice! I especially like the magpie.

Shiju Sugunan said...

The sunrise from Glacier View looks breathtaking. The bird photos are stunning.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Shiju, for your link and your comment.
Take care, have a wonderful week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Linda, for your link and your comment.
Take care, have a wonderful week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Margaret, for your link and your comment.
The Sandpiper is a cutie.
Take care, have a wonderful week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Pat, for your link and your comment.
I've been seeing some photos of the snow there, stay safe.
Take care, have a wonderful week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Karen, for your comment and visit.
Take care, have a wonderful week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for your link and your comment.
Yes, Magpies are seen in the western US states.
Take care, have a wonderful week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Jan, for your comment and visit.
Take care, have a wonderful week ahead.

Jim and Barb's Adventures said...

Our magpies are a little different than yours, although I do not know what ours are. I just looked it up, apparently, they are also black-billed magpies, I thought they were different.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for the comment! I am pretty sure the Magpies you see are the same as the Magpie in Alaska. They are in the western part of the USA. I have seen them in Yellowstone NP. Take care, have a wonderful day and happy week ahead.

R's Rue said...

Such beauty. I love it.
www.rsrue.blogspot.com

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Alaska is on my bucket list. I hope to one day visit and see all it's beauty. I've been missing your posts- glad to be able to get back around and catch up with you.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for visiting and for the comment.
Take care, enjoy your day and have a great week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for your visit and for the comment.
Alaska is a great place to visit, just beautiful.
Take care, enjoy your day and have a great week ahead.

Teresa said...

Tus paseos y avistamientos siempre me gustan, tus fotografías son preciosas. Feliz semana para ti.

Life Images by Jill, Western Australia said...

A gorgeous sunrise, worth getting up early for, and I always enjoy going birding with you. Have a fabulous week Eileen.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Teresa, for you nice comment and visit.
Take care, have a wonderful week!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Jill, I appreciate your comment and visit.
The sunrise was lovely. Take care, have a great week!

Rose said...

That Magpie is gorgeous in flight...I enjoyed all the pics of it. That was a magnificent sunrise.

21 Wits said...

Hello Eileen, I can't believe I made my post last night and forgot to comment on your Saturday's Critters post! It's been a long and busy week at work! Take care!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Rose, for your comment and visit.
I had fun watching the flock of Magpies.
Take care, enjoy your day and the week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Karen, for your link and comment. It is always nice to see your critter post and photos. I hope you have some "me" time this week. Take care, enjoy your day and the week ahead.

Tanza Erlambang said...

Alaska is a wonderful place to visit ....
thank you for sharing beautiful photos....

Laura. M said...

Felicidades a Todos los veteranos.
Buena semana Eileen.
Un abrazo.

This N That said...

We flew back from Anchorage as well...I remember a lot of people had gotten sick near the end of the cruise including my husband.. Love your first picture...

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Tanza, for your link and comment.
Have a great day and happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Laura! Have a great day and happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Missy! I often hear about people getting sick while on cruises, too many germs being passed around?
Take care, have a great day and a happy weekend.

EricaSta said...

Another wonderful contribution for MosaicMonday. Thank you for your participation. ...very interesting to read!

Greetings from Heidrun

eileeninmd said...

Thanks Heidrun, for the comment and for hosting the party.
Have a great day!

Happy Monday!

Wishing everyone a great day and a ha ppy new week! "Whatever your beliefs, spread love not hate." East Paden Twin Bridge, Fishing...