Wild Places in 2024: In the Rearview Mirror

As one gets older the moments become more an more precious and are worth savoring. Took stock of the last year’s adventures in the wild. These moments were made even more special as we shared many experiences with our grandchildren. A total blessing and now a treasured memory. Hopefully for them too. Here is a short look back at our notes from the wild places we spent time in 2024. Hope you will catch in the short video some of the subtle events like the first moments of a baby moose standing under mom only a few minutes old. Or the unlikely take down of an infant Bison by a tenacious coyote who got very lucky with an ill advised attack on a much bigger prey animal. Both of these events were witnessed in Yellowstone. https://youtu.be/v-9j-EKwF3I?si=LX742skdEMTbzJrS

Yellowstone's magnificent Upper Falls in rainbow. May 2024

Bears were a big theme this year as we witnessed young of the year cubs in two places in Alaska and in Yellowstone. In Katmai we saw the world's largest Brown bears foraging on salmon in the river only a few meters away from our cameras. It took some getting used to. These bears included absolutely desperate sows trying to feed their cubs in spite of the mortal danger this effort put there cubs in with the foraging Boars in the vicinity who usually kill young cubs on sight and eat them.

Mother Sow and YOY (Young of the year ) cub

We followed humpback whales in Frederick Sound, Alaska showing our grandchildren these incredible behemoths for the first time. There are also many precious “wild baby moments” in the set like the days old sandhill crane getting a talking to from mom or the young sea otter getting a free ride from Mom near Baranof Island and a beautiful baby humpback breaching in the evening light.

This crew of young people listened on a hydrophone as a group of humpbacks foraged together on herring. In this image one whale stops on the surface near the boat to the delight (and screaming) of the kids at close proximity. What a way to see your first humpback whale!

Harlequin ducks in Frederick Sound

And the dramatic closing image of Sawyer Glacier in Tracy Arm was the backdrop for a hair raising calving incident at the face of the Glacier that had our son and granddaughter caught in the path of a massive wave generated by the huge ice chunks that had calved. Fortunately disaster was avoided but it was close call.

King Clan ready to go se kayak in Red Bluff Harbor, Baranof Island

M/v Northern Song seen here from the top of an historic Lighthouse tower in Frederick Sound

King family ready for adventure in Southeast Alaska on the Mv Northern Song - July 2024

Great white hunting grey seals in October off of MNWR

Brown bear sow coaxing her cubs to stay close while she hunts salmon in Katmai.

And finally blessed to live and work on the water off of Cape Cod’s Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge we were witness to the many wonders of nature in the bird migrations and the ultimate apex predator the Great White Shark which is featured in a couple of images.

Humpback breaches in front of the Northern Song at close range. Very lucky to have the camera pointed in the right direction. A first breach sighting for the young royals!

Red fox unfazed by human presence in Geographic Harbor on the Alaska Peninsula

Dunlins gathering at a very high tide moment at Powderhole, MNWR.

The truth is I tried to reduce this collection to my favorite 10 images of the year. I found it to be impossible so here you go. I would love to hear which ones you like best.

Cheers to you 2024, you served up some wonderful memories.