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Among Denali birds, our encounters with family groups of Willow Ptarmigan
might have been the most fun. This male and female along the Savage
River, with 3 chicks, were pretty much oblivious to us as we sat and
enjoyed taking pictures (Rita with video, just below). They almost
walked right over me! [left & above].
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The breeding pairs of Merlin
we encountered were a lot more upset, screaming and dive-bombing us.
This female (left) appears to be bringing a baby ptarmigan to her nest.
A common breeder along rocky rivers running through the park is Mew Gull (below). Pairs were also noisy and aggressive when one approached too closely. |
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Birds of Denali's taiga forest and willow understory included (clockwise from top left): Orange-crowned Warbler (nominate celata race), Bohemian Waxwing, Common Redpoll, Fox Sparrow (red zaboria subspecies), and American Tree Sparrow. |
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We
also spent a few hours out the Denali Highway, east of the park, in
spruce bog habitat, managing close encounters with mosquitoes, breeding
Wilson's Warbler (left), and aimed a camera at a reclusive Gray-cheeked Thrush (below).
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