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One highlight of an August trip to Alaska is fireweed, widespread and in full bloom in late summer.

We headed to Seward first, where the Resurrection River reaches the sea.

Bald Eagle

Sea Otter

Sockeye Salmon

We enjoyed a boat trip at Kenai Fjords National Park.

Glacier viewing is one highlight of the trips here.

Several glaciers are seen up close in the Aialik Fjord.

Wildlife is the other highlight.  Here are Steller’s Sea Lions.

Common Murre

Tufted Puffin

We enjoyed great views of Orcas, or "Killer Whales."

Another Orca

Next we visited Whittier, enjoying a boat trip through Prince William Sound.

We saw several black bears near a salmon hatchery.

Glaucous-winged Gulls and a black bear feeding on salmon.

Young black bear.  It was quite rainy this day, but the bears didn’t mind.

Steller's Sea Lions

One of the forested islands in Prince William Sound.

Black-legged Kittiwakes

Black Oystercatcher

Again on this boat trip we visited several glaciers.

Approaching one of the glaciers.

It’s impossible to get a sense of scale when there’s nothing but rocks, ice, and the sea.

Red-necked Phalarope

We continued north, walking several forest trails.

Marbled Murrelets

Bunchberry, also known as dwarf dogwood

Red-necked Grebe at Lake Lucille

Wood frog; no other amphibian can survive as far north as this one.

Next we visited Denali National Park.

Clouds kept the high peaks out of view, but the scenery was still inspiring.

Highlights of our visit included braided rivers ...

... mama grizzly bear ...

... baby grizzly bear ...

... caribou ...

... moose ...

... arctic ground squirrel, and other wildlife.

Back near the park entrance we walked to Horseshoe Lake.

It's a beautiful trail through boreal forest.

First view of the lake.

Beavers were very active around the lake.

Red squirrels are common along Denali's forest trails.

Wildflowers, including this grass-of-parnassus, were in bloom.

We wrapped up with a short trip down the Denali Highway.

On the way back to Anchorage, the high summit of Denali peeked out from between the clouds.

Thanks to all for coming along, and special thanks to co-leader Jordan Rutter.