A Fair Weather Day in Fairbanks

What a difference a few weeks have made. Sandhill Cranes have made it to Fairbanks.

Just a beautiful spring day. The snow is gone! Creamer's is a popular spot to observe the rapid changes of the season.

Sandhill Cranes have a migration pattern similar to the Canadian Geese. They are here in most of Alaska and Canada for summer breeding.

Earth Day

It was the Saturday before Easter and I was at Lowe's picking up a few supplies. I didn't know it was Earth Day. Lowe's gave away 1,000,000 trees nationwide!

This healthy sapling is ready is ready to become a full grown White Spruce, perfect for our region.

According to the package directions: Place in a pot and add to the land scape the following year. For now, we take it indoors at night. As soon as the temps no longer drop below freezing at night, it will spend the night outdoors. It will remain potted until Earth Day, next year. It's been 13 days and the little spruce is showing some growth. I might have a green thumb.

Seasons Change

Things change quickly this time of year. This is the last of the snow in our little "hood". This photo was taken from our picture window on April 22nd.

This was our last dusting of snow for 2011 (March 28th). The ice cycles formed on the landing of our steep stairway.

Early spring in Alaska ( March 28, 2011). The constant melting, then freezing gave us this delicious piece of ice. Don't try it; I wouldn't.

New Arrivals

Easter Sunday, we took a little walk to Creamers Waterfowl Sanctuary. It took us about 5 minutes to get here from our house. The snow has melted into spring since I took this photo.

Canadian geese are the first sign of spring in Fairbanks.

Creamer's provides seed for the migrating Canadian geese. Canadian Geese can be seen in the nation's mid section year round, in the south during the winter, the far north of the lower 48, as well as all of  Canada and most of Alaska during the summer breeding season.

Creamer's Dairy, seen in the background, offers several festivities throughout the year.

Creamer's is a stop over for the geese. Since these photos were taken Easter Sunday, most of these birds have flown to the Tanana Flats to breed.

The Pilot's Lounge: May 1 2011

Chena Marina Float Plane Pond

I'm ready.

We'll be even more colorful soon.

A gaggle of floats waiting in the wings.

Last weekend we took a short drive, about 2 1/4 miles out Chena Pump Road. We turned onto Grebe Drive, then right onto Shypoke to take a peek at the planes at Chena Marina. I trudged through the remnants of winter, hopped over some puddles and snapped a few photos. Chena Marina also offers RV camping and cottages for rent.