The plants of rainforest Alaska are hardy, shaped by their harsh environment

This moss is called "bear's bread," but where are the bears?

"Muskeg" is a kind of bog, with deep pools in it and is favored by bears.

And there is a bear.

In this damp environment, mushrooms flourish

The plant called "devil's club"has multiple medicinal uses

This black bear was at Aialik Glacier in Kenai Fjords

Bald eagles are abundant and sightings soon became routine

We were somewhat more excited by the much rarer wandering tattler in Sitka

There were whales in Auke Bay, Juneau, and this is usually what we saw of them

Steller sea lions love their buoys, but are disinclined to let others share

We didn't see as many sea otters as we sometimes do, but there were some