Everything is Illuminated

Posted on May 19, 2011 by Mark Zeiger

The content you’re looking for is no longer here. We’re finally beginning to shut this blog down, to remove old content.

We’ve chosen to start with essays that are available elsewhere. Specifically, this article has been edited into our book, Sacred Coffee: A “Homesteader’s” Paradigm. The book is available in print, as an audiobook, and in several eBook formats. It contains edited, improved, and expanded versions of essays that used to be available for free on this blog, and new material as well. You can learn more about it, and order it here in your preferred format.

 

Posted in Weather, Tides & Geography | Tagged | 2 Comments

Visitors Have Arrived: Cue the Whales

Posted on May 18, 2011 by Mark Zeiger

An open letter to the whales of Lynn Canal:

Okay guys, help me out here. The in-laws are visiting from “outside” for the first time in three years. Dad can’t make the hike to the cabin, so he’s staying at a motel in town, but Mom’s gamely hiking the trail, even with her bad heart. She’s really making the effort necessary to get out here, to spend time at the cabin, to see us, and—I hasten to add—to see you.

Yes, you! You know you’re one of Southeast Alaska’s greatest draws, so don’t be coy. You know that people shell out big bucks, talking about how important it is to keep family ties strong, to see the one grandchild who lives in a different state than all the others, and all that, but the real reason is a chance to see you big, beautiful creatures up close. Eagles are a thrill, sea lions, porpoises, seals, otters are great, moose and bears are cool, but you’re the real draw.

So come on, where the heck are you?

humpback whale spyhopping in Lynn Canal

Dear whales of Lynn Canal, remember the show you put on for the in-laws in 2008? More please! (Photo: Aly Zeiger).

 

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Posted in Local Wildlife | Tagged , , | 2 Comments