Wildlife of Denali

On my hikes, I walk slow and easy, and very quietly most of the time. All of the literature and suggestions by the park service says that "quiet" is not a good way to hike when you are in grizzly country, but I stay alert and aware of what's around me, and as slow as I walk, I believe I would detect a bear if I were getting close to one. Here are some of the more pacific animals I encountered on this trip. Marmots, like almost all rodents, are food for just about every predator in the park, from eagles to grizzlies, from foxes to owls to weasels. As a result, they are always skittish and frightened by just about everything -- most people who see a marmot usually see a flash of movement and might catch sight of them disappearing down their hole. But by being quiet and careful, I was able to get relatively close to this one. I have no idea what kind of bird this is, but he's very pretty. A moose, up close and personal. I didn't want to get any closer.

Moose are generally pre-occupied and thus don't generally react when they finally spot me. But caribou on the other hand are very, very skittish. I spotted several caribou and before I could get the camera raised, all that was left was their behind as they skeedaddled. I was able to catch this one as she grazed beside the road. None of the caribou or moose this trip had any antlers to speak of... it's too early in the growing season I guess.

This was a big bird (below). I thought at first it might be an owl, but the more I watched it, the more I figured it might be some kind of hawk or raptor or something -- it's about a food tall.

Below, another marmot that let me get to within a few feet of him before he took off.

A willow ptarmigan, very distinctive coloration. Notice the red eyebrow (click on the picture for the larger version).

Another moose. The last thing you want to happen when you are miles away from another human being is to be trampled by a moose. I tried not to be detected by these huge behemoths. While they look like a cute little donkey in the picture, they are humongous in real life. And while I've never seen one mad, I've heard they have a mean temper if you rile one up by getting too close. I was about 10 feet up on a rock outcropping to take this picture.