In summer time of 2025, I launched into the internship project of my desires. Armed with a Nikon D3200, a 2008 birding map, and a wholesome provide of espresso, I set out with my coworker to {photograph} all 35 websites on the Anchorage Birding Trail throughout the normal lands of the Dena’ina Athabascan folks. Within the time since, I’ve explored a few of the metropolis’s most various and breathtaking habitats, capturing their distinctive magnificence by means of the lens of my digital camera.
My project afforded me a useful and in-depth perspective of Anchorage as an extremely distinctive place. I’ve slid down glacial snow, sunk knee deep in mud, and hiked within the northernmost temperate rainforest to look at the birds that form the area’s vibrant and memorable ecosystems. Thirty-five websites and greater than 2,000 images later, I’ve gained a complete understanding of all that the Anchorage Birding Path has to supply. For birders, nice information: Every website is properly value your time, and my eBird has by no means seen extra submissions.
However even for many who are much less bird-inclined, the path has lots to supply. These places are additionally dwelling to fascinating hidden gems that make visiting a rewarding expertise. From desert landscapes to deserted army bases, the Anchorage Birding Path is stuffed with wonders simply ready to be explored.
A 12 months-Spherical Rainforest
Whereas exploring Russian Jack Springs Park, I anticipated all the standard Anchorage magnificence—trickling streams, wildflowers, and wooded forests populated with songbirds. What I didn’t anticipate was to be transported to the rainforests of Costa Rica or the Sonoran Desert of Arizona.
Located inconspicuously on a grassy hilltop, the Mann Leiser Memorial Greenhouse is a portal to a different world. Stepping by means of the doorway, I used to be met with a wave of humidity and heat air. As the remainder of my senses caught up, I took in my environment—lush, thick vegetation, vines creeping alongside the greenhouse wall, and air heavy with moisture. Vivid orange koi fish swam lazily by means of an amber-colored pool, and water misters emulated the near-constant condensation of an equatorial paradise. Nestled right into a 20-by-20-foot constructing, a tropical rainforest thrives all through temperate Alaskan summers and harsh polar nights.
Moving into the following room, the humidity dissipated, instantly changed by a desert warmth as quickly as I stepped over the edge. Solar streamed in by means of the translucent roofing, a stark distinction to the thick jungle cover of the earlier ecosystem. The room was a fantastical assortment of desert species, vegetation I had seen within the stark landscapes of Loss of life Valley and the Mojave, however by no means anticipated to occur upon in Alaska. Towering cacti, symmetrical succulents, and spear-shaped Large Agave meshed into a novel desert panorama, one so plausible my coworker remarked that she was homesick for Phoenix.
Exiting the greenhouse right into a brilliantly blinding summer time day, I felt as if I had been let in on just a little secret: Rainforests and deserts exist in Alaska—if you realize the place to look.
It’s A Fowl … And A Aircraft!
A few of Nuch’ishtunt, or Level Woronzof’s, birds look just a little totally different than others. And by “totally different,” I imply some are feathered, and a few are 136,000-pound metallic winged contraptions hurtling by means of the sky at 180 miles per hour.
At Level Woronzof, a shocking expanse of seaside on the tip of West Anchorage, flocks of Quick-billed Dowitchers and White-winged Scoters dot the shore. Financial institution Swallows nest within the excessive bluffs overlooking the rocky coast. Whereas these great species present nice birdwatching, if you end up tiring of peering by means of binoculars, don’t have any concern—there are many winged spectacles you possibly can spot with the bare eye.
This prime birding space backs up in opposition to the Ted Stevens Anchorage Worldwide Airport, which signifies that by looking ahead to birds, you’re additionally inherently looking ahead to airplanes. Throughout take-off and touchdown, planes soar low overhead, permitting you to snap photographs and take within the thunderous rush of a Boeing 737 launching into the air.
Many residents and vacationers alike perch atop a small grassy hill close to Level Woronzof Park, scouting the planes as they arrive and go. Initially puzzled by this phenomenon as my flight landed in Anchorage again in June, I’ve since joined the plenty, tilting my head to the sky to gaze in awe on the planes, in addition to the birds, that make Level Woronzof particular.
Fruitful Finds in Arctic Valley
When you’re on the lookout for a lesson in meditation (and engaging snacks), go no additional than Arctic Valley Ski Hill. Residence to flittering Boreal Chickadees and bulbous Willow Ptarmigans, this ski slope additionally hosts massive populations of untamed blueberries and low-bush cranberries in the summertime.
Intrigued by the berry pickers dotting the mountainside, my coworker and I set out with makeshift berry buckets: hers was an empty yogurt tub, mine a washed bitter cream container. Berry choosing, because it seems, is equal components meditative and scrumptious. In the course of the subsequent hour spent scouring the hillside, my sole pursuit turned discovering clusters of ripe berries ensconced in low-to-the-ground shrubbery. Settling right into a rhythm—scan, discover, choose, (eat), repeat—I discovered myself noticing the intricacies of alpine flowers and chirps of Lapland Longspurs.
The fruits—fairly actually—of my labor have been ¾ of a bathtub of blueberries and a brand new favourite interest. Following some tedious destemming, the blueberries have been reworked into a tasty pie. Arctic Valley presents all of it: a stupendous spot for bird-watching, a bountiful website for berry-picking, and a peaceable strategy to join with nature.
Ship Creek’s Shocking Stream of Life
It’s not on daily basis you see wild salmon in the midst of a metropolis. Except you’re at Ship Creek in the summertime, through which case, it’s on daily basis. Nestled between a railroad and a busy road, this waterway gives a haven for spawning salmon as they endure their remaining upstream journey.
Ship Creek is a 10-minute stroll from my workplace, so I’ve had the pleasure of visiting a number of instances all through the summer time. Every go to, I’m met with a brand new species of salmon. Chinook salmon greeted me upon my early June go to, Coho salmon got here by means of in July, and as I write this, hordes of Pink salmon congregate close to the Ship Creek Dam. When you’re on the lookout for a spot to catch fish, and even simply watch fish, Ship Creek has a plentiful provide all summer time lengthy.
In truth, Dgheyaytnu, or the mouth of Ship Creek, hosts a plethora of wildlife. The place the river pans out into mudflats, Canada Geese collect, waddling throughout the slick floodplain at low tide. Herring, Bonaparte’s, and Mew Gulls inhabit the skies and shores, attracted by the salmon. Biking into the workplace, I’ve had the luck to see beluga whales arising and down within the water.
When you’re hoping to understand Alaskan wildlife inside the consolation of an city setting, Ship Creek is the positioning for you. I’ve but to be dissatisfied by this pure gem nestled into the whirlwind of downtown Anchorage.
Digging Into Crow Creek’s Historical past
Driving alongside Crow Creek Street, our hunt for Spruce Grouse and Pine Grosbeaks was interrupted by a easy wood signal promoting the “Crow Creek Gold Mine.” Intrigued by the prospect of a gold mine in the midst of a dense forest, my colleague and I took a detour to research. The woods opened as much as an idyllic mining village backed by pine timber and snow-capped mountains. A golden retriever eagerly wagged her tail as we approached the steps of the principle constructing.
Rustic buildings and mining tools fill the grassy discipline, providing a window into Alaska’s gold rush. Established in 1896, Crow Creek Gold Mine continues to be operational right now, with skilled miners and guests alike heading to the riverbed to pan for gold. For individuals who are extra taken with a historical past lesson, the mine presents self-guided excursions of the unique settlement, full with mining artifacts of the time. Wildflowers adorn the property, hanging from porches, fenceposts, and an historic inexperienced car. Properly-preserved, this hidden gem really brings you again in time.
When you’re taken with a slice of Alaskan historical past alongside along with your birding, make sure you take the quick detour to discover this snapshot of the previous.
Don’t Moose Out on Kincaid
My first two weeks in Anchorage have been surprisingly moose-less, save for the taxidermy bull moose that greeted me within the airport terminal upon my arrival. I started inquiring about the place I’d see one, and each native pointed me in the identical path: Kincaid Park.
On my 26-mile bike experience to Kincaid (the farthest I’ve ever biked in pursuit of something), I handed by means of a number of different birding path websites, gazing with surprise at Arctic Terns at Westchester Lagoon and Sandhill Cranes at Fish Creek Estuary. By the point I reached my vacation spot, I had skilled breathtaking views of mountains and mudflats, in addition to the equally breathtaking expertise of biking up a really steep hill. However the effort paid off; I used to be rewarded with a mom moose and her child peacefully grazing within the woods alongside Kincaid.
When you’ve already seen your justifiable share of moose, Kincaid presents wonderful leisure alternatives along with wildlife viewing. An 18-hole disc golf course meanders by means of the park. Over 100 miles of cross-country snowboarding trails wind by means of the woodlands. Because the snow melts, these trails remodel into havens for hikers and mountain bikers. And should you’re extra taken with sightseeing, the Kincaid Outdoor Center has a roof deck that gives views of Prepare dinner Inlet, Nutuł’iy (Hearth Island), and Denali on a transparent day.
Salmon Up Shut
Earlier than transferring to Alaska, a fast Google search yielded photographs of snowcapped mountains, moose traipsing by means of marshlands, and vivid pink salmon battling their means upstream. I later noticed that final scene in actual life on the William Jack Hernandez Sport Fish Hatchery.
Regardless of its fish-centric title, the hatchery is a website on the birding path. Bordered by Ship Creek, the glacial-blue waters provide prime viewing situations for Chinook salmon, their pink our bodies strikingly distinct in opposition to the rocky riverbed. Clustered collectively, the salmon stayed in place as they languidly fought the present, permitting guests to collect and observe from the platform.
The salmon-filled river was only the start. Contained in the hatchery constructing, which doubles as a museum, 6 million fish inhabit the tanks, ready to be launched into streams and lakes all through the summer time and early fall. Rainbow trout and Arctic char swam in dizzying circles as I peered by means of viewing home windows, taking within the huge vats of fish. Documentaries, information panels, and fish-inspired artwork lined the hallway, making a vigorous and academic surroundings good for adults and youngsters alike.
The interconnectedness between fish and the remainder of Alaska’s wildlife is on full show on the hatchery. Widespread Mergansers and Belted Kingfishers frequent the river, American Dippers nest within the decommissioned fish ladder propped in opposition to the dam, and bears generally cease by for a salmon snack. Whereas the joys of recognizing that first shockingly pink salmon was unforgettable, I discovered myself equally captivated by all of the wildlife sustained by the hatchery’s waters.
“A Metropolis Below One Roof”
When you emerge from the darkish, slender, seemingly unending tunnel that features as the world’s solely entrance, Whitter turns into an idyllic seaside city. Mountains seem to emerge from the ocean, carpeted in thick inexperienced vegetation and topped with year-round snow. Excessive on the slopes, glaciers glare within the daylight, their sluggish ice-melt reworking into raging waterfalls that pour into the ocean. Sailboats rock forwards and backwards in strikingly blue water, gulls and kittiwakes soar overhead, and memento retailers line the road.
Whittier is picturesque. Apart from the Buckner Constructing.
Nestled farther again into city, the decrepit Buckner Constructing nearly blends into the encircling forest. However for a horror-movie fanatic like myself, the crumbling facade instantly caught my curiosity. As I approached the constructing, its many years of neglect turned extra obvious. Shattered windowpanes afforded me a view into the construction. Water dripped rhythmically from the ceiling, forming swimming pools that mirrored rippling patterns onto the partitions. Rusted stairwells led skyward to numerous empty rooms lined with moss and graffiti. The constructing’s apocalyptic exterior felt much more becoming once I realized about its supposed goal.
Accomplished in 1954, the Buckner Constructing was designed to be a army base and self-sustaining metropolis, housing over 1,000 troopers through the Chilly Battle. Within the occasion of a doomsday, the constructing was outfitted with all of the facilities of life—a barbershop, a cafeteria, a jail, even a bowling alley. Nonetheless, the one assault that ever shook Whittier was the 9.2 magnitude Good Friday Earthquake, which the construction dutifully withstood. In 1960, the Military stopped working within the constructing, and it has remained dormant ever since.
Regardless of its disuse, it isn’t on daily basis you possibly can see an deserted, very-haunted-looking army base looming over an enthralling seaside city. When you’re after a one-of-a-kind birding journey—with uncommon seabirds, towering glaciers, an eerie tunnel, and a abandoned Chilly Battle relic—Whittier delivers.
Subsequent Cease for the Anchorage Birding Path
Reflecting on my months as Audubon Alaska’s Outreach and Communications Advocate, I’m extremely grateful to have spent my time photographing and exploring the Anchorage Birding Path on Dena’ina Ełnena. Every website instilled a way of surprise and supplied me with a deeper understanding of the Anchorage space as a wild, intricate, and flourishing metropolis. Although I used to be following the birds, I discovered myself always discovering wildlife, pure landscapes, and artifical creations that piqued my curiosity, took my breath away, and served as an necessary reminder that in every single place we defend birds, we additionally defend nature, historical past, and neighborhood.
If my summer time expertise has impressed you to go birding, gold panning, or berry choosing, I’ve some thrilling information for you. Coming subsequent yr, the Anchorage Birding Path will likely be accessible digitally on Audubon Alaska’s web site, full with photographs, up-to-date data, and maps. You’ll have 35 new adventures to discover, only a click on away. Take pleasure in.
—Grace Miller is Audubon Alaska’s Outreach and Communications Advocate.
