Just out walking around

 Went for a walk the other evening and thought to check out the Atmau-Nepenthe. Still plenty of snow in it, but I'm sure it will be in fine shape for the new owner come fall!

 Quite a bit of overflow, still solid ice underneath. Down the middle of the river is a stretch of ice, that local people predict will start to move next week. Today the tripod moved on the Kuskokwim River and that means someone won the Ice Classic. Not sure what the amount was, but someone guessed the correct day, and close enough time to be the winner.

 From these photos you can't really see the overflow on the other side of the river.

 Heard the whimpering before we saw them. Here is a new crop of pups, future K300 runners. They are already on a lead line.

Intense blue, little guy saying don't come close.





We took off out back across the tundra. There is quite a bit exposed, but we had snow since this walk; twice.

 Tundra Swans are on the move.

 We think this is some kind of Plover.

 Someone found some ptarmigan and a good windy spot to dry them.

Water play again. These boys had a snowmobile toy that they were skimming across the water.

 A few days before there were several men doing the same thing with their own snowmobiles.  By the time I saw the men, they were on the middle ice of the river.

  One was a lone rider, another was towing a sled that had two skiffs, and a third was towing a sled with another snowmobile on it. I was able to only stay for one of the riders to rev up their engine and race across the water and up our side of the bank.

Pretty exciting!

 Old snowmobile and shadow.

 Male and female Pintail.

 Not sure what this one is yet....

Male and female Mallard.

Off to compete

 The river is getting quite slushy now, very definite edges with brown water on the sides. When people cross the river, they do it quickly so not to bog down. My camera is putting out blue....lots of blue...

 I am excited as I get to take a student in to Bethel for a competition. I have my bags all packed with loaned gear that needs returning.

  The student's sister came to pick me up. She had to dodge and weave the slushy water along the trail. I thought we were going to tip in a few times!

Plane is overhead and ready to land. It is waiting for us when we get to the airstrip along with other passengers on their way into Bethel.

 We're off and we're going to have a blast!

 Snowmobile and 4 wheeler tracks as we near Bethel.

 The McCann Center, or commonly called the Huffing Center. It had been focused on those students that had inhalant abuse issues, but now is opened up to any kind of behavioral issues that can't be dealt with elsewhere.

 Bethel has little snow compared to us, just 15 miles northwest. This is the slough that runs through town.

We went to the Fish and Wildlife building to see their displays. For a very small space, they did a great job, not only having animal displays, but their wall displays that were interactive.

 

 

 We found a few fun things to do on our walk home from the Cultural Center. We spent some time there looking at the artifacts in their museum and the Kuspuks they had on display.

 We are ready to head out for the opening ceremony!

 The next day there were all kinds of activities. That evening we had a fancy dance, we brought in dresses for it, and had some late movie nights.

 Closing ceremonies and trophies!! We did have a blast and hope to go back next year with more of our Atmautluak Falcons.