To me, this looks more like the coast of Kauai then Katmai, well, except for the sow and cubs walking the sandy beach.

That Katmai Coast is Alaska is famous for it’s brown bears, however, the landscape isn’t too shabby either! Last August.

Canyon Towhee coming in for a drink.

We have always had phainopepla here at the Desert Photo Retreat, in fact last year a pair had a nest near the lower blind. They are a bit tough to photograph since they aren’t drawn to the seed feeders as they are bug eaters. However, they seem to like the water refection table where this one was captured. Today I stopped by the blind without a camera just to see how things are doing and one came in and took a bath!

Here is a female cardinal from last spring.   Taking care of the final tasks here at the Desert Photo Retreat, and hope to do some of my own photography tonight.  We will be open to visitors for the season beginning this weekend!  

Here is one from last year that I hadn’t shared yet. A polar bear sow and cub at sunset, Alaska Arctic.

We are now on our property and wow, there has been so much mammal and bird activity!  So busy right from the start, it is exciting!  Check out these guys from last night – funny how the big buck waited for the javelina to finish drinking before moving in.

I won’t use my real camera for a few days at least as I want everything to adjust and get use to our presence.