Photos / Sounds
What
Rock Pigeon Columba liviaObserver
robertweedenDescription
About a dozen at the Carlson Center in Fairbanks where people feed the ducks throughout the winter. The river is open here due to discharge from the power plant upstream.
Photos / Sounds
What
Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangulaObserver
robertweedenDescription
Half dozen or so diving in the Chena where heat from the power plant keeps the river open year-round.
Photos / Sounds
What
Emerald Spreadwing Lestes dryasObserver
robertweedenDescription
id courtesy of Dan Jackson at BugGuide "With those claspers, that is a teneral Lestes (spreadwing). The configuration of the paraprocts looks good for L. dryas since they appear bulbous at the tip."
Photos / Sounds
What
Black-backed Woodpecker Picoides arcticusObserver
robertweedenDescription
Working its way up birch trees very systematically. It would brush snow away with side-to-side sweeps of its head before going to work chopping and flaking with its bill.
This individual was banded (I can't read the band with my software but if you are interested in a photo of the band, let me know.)
Photos / Sounds
What
Yellow Douglas Fir Borer Centrodera spurcaObserver
robertweedenDescription
22 mm body length
attracted to house lights
Photos / Sounds
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Genus AlopecosaObserver
robertweedenDescription
I have narrowed this down to four possibilities: A. aculeata has been recorded most often in Alaska - but not this far north. A. hirtipes, A. mutabilis and A. pictilis seem to be far less common but have been recorded in or north of the Brooks Range. According to a German website A. aculeata should have fine dark lines at the posterior end of the "heart" marking on the abdomen - which this individual does not appear to have.
Photos / Sounds
What
Western Honey Bee Apis melliferaObserver
robertweedenDescription
probably from my neighbor's apiary 1/8 of a mile away
Photos / Sounds
What
Hairy-eyed Flower Fly Syrphus torvusObserver
robertweedenDescription
female
id courtesy of Bill Dean at BugGuide
Photos / Sounds
What
Black-capped Chickadee Poecile atricapillusObserver
robertweedenDescription
Of about 12 chickadees that come to my feeders, 2 have keratinosis. This is the most sever.
For more information see Handel et. al. "Epizootic of Beak Deformities among Wild Birds in Alaska: an Emerging Disease in North America" The Auk 127(4):882-898, 2010
Photos / Sounds
What
Broad Damsel Bug Nabis flavomarginatusObserver
robertweedenDescription
Found on yarrow in open tall grass meadow.
is courtesy of V. Belov at BugGuide
Photos / Sounds
What
Homaemus aeneifronsObserver
robertweedenDescription
on yarrow flowers in open high-grass meadow.
id credit to V. Belov at BugGuide
Photos / Sounds
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Suspected Moth Parastichtis suspectaObserver
robertweedenDescription
FWL = 16 mm
aspen forest
identification credit to David W Droppers
Photos / Sounds
What
American Tree Sparrow Spizelloides arboreaObserver
robertweedenDescription
Closest I can come is a juvenile White-crowned - but, I have not found other photos or illustrations with the beak half grey and half yellow. Also, there seems to be some streaking on the upper part of the breast. Any ideas?
Photos / Sounds
What
Pacific Acorn Barnacle Balanus glandulaObserver
robertweedenDescription
Photos of barnacles in the inter-tidal zone at low tide, but they were also much higher up the beach (just looked crushed and dead). Most about 10 mm diameter. Id arrived at by studying iNat photos; but I would be glad of any expert advice!
Photos / Sounds
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European Starling Sturnus vulgarisObserver
robertweedenDescription
Flock of about 40 spending a lot of time on the beach in the tidal zone.
Photos / Sounds
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Littorina plenaObserver
robertweedenDescription
Common in mussel bed just above the water line at low tide. Most specimens measured 5-8 mm (from tip to substrate as measured in photos).
Photos / Sounds
What
Shield Limpet Lottia peltaObserver
robertweedenDescription
10 mm diameter. Found in mussel bed (Mytilus trossulus) at low tide just at the waterline.
Photos / Sounds
What
Northern Bay Mussel Mytilus trossulusObserver
robertweedenDescription
In great numbers at low tide along the shore.
