Swan lakes to the Moose River Canoe Trip

We finally made it happen, Canoeing the Kenai Wildlife Refuge Trail through Swan Lakes and out 17 miles of the Moose River.

We lucked out with more awesome weather, but with nice weather comes the largest mosquito hatch in 22 years.

Chuck and Tyga swimming the the lake to get away from the bugs

Once we got off the lakes the bug were unbearable, We have never set up a tent so quickly, and no joke we had 100+ bugs inside the tent and thousands  more outside trying to get in.

Charlie and his head net, along with our 30 year old canoe that has taken us to some pretty great places.

A man, a dog and his boat. 

 Through the muskeg, I carry the gear.

The 8 Lakes later we are at the start of the Moose River!

A nice breeze and its a bug free float out.

Another successful trip in the back country.

Apparently we were the only successful party to make it through in the month of June due to bugs. The Canoe company that shuttled us back to our truck said that "We must be true Alaskans because every other party pulled out early" 

Thats right TRUE Alaskans

BIRDS!

Just because May and June have been such great bird watching months I thought I'd share some of my favorite photos.

Black Legged Kittiwake "piggywink" on a rope near Homer

Snow Geese in Seward, a lucky spotting

Arctic Tern on a nest at the Airport. They are really trying to re-establish the colony there. 

One week later Terny chick!

Sandhill Crane

Spot the egg, Black Oystercatcher nest

With our crazy cold spring we had 6 Rufus Humming Birds at my feeder, a record for my yard.

Trumpeter Swans waiting for the pond to melt, along the Denali HWY

Male Ptarmigan strutting his stuff

Downey woodpecker at her nest.

June 3-10, 2013 This is a crazy nice June!

This Summer just keeps getting better. When the weather is nice and you live in the Land of the Midnight sun you must take full advantage of it and play until you drop. There's plenty of time to sleep this winter.. Well until ski season!

Oh yes, we have Chestnut Sided Chickadee eggs in a nest box right outside our back door!

This is what happens when we don't take Tyga with us on our after work adventure. She eats 4 power-bars out of our backpack. Now she's really ready to go with all her engery!

After work bike ride with friends, crossing over Martin Creek out Resurrection River Trail.

Hannah going for a ride in the 1960 baby seat, that's normally Chucks "beer getter"

Fox Cabin Trip with Sean and Sadie, fun in the midnight sun.

Day 2 of our weekend bike trip we arrived at Swan Lake Cabin to a glorious evening. 10PM arrival in 75 degrees means a swim in the lake. Man Life is good.

Our favorite section of trail coming down from Swan Lake, Tyga loves to run so much. She has some seriously strong "ham hocks"

Muddy legs after our ride.