Dall sheep — ram grazing!

Dall sheep — ram grazing!

Originally uploaded by merrymaryallegra

Isn’t this RAMazing!?!?? Lana caught this shot on her bus tour. We had to each take a separate tour because someone had to stay with Molly at the campsite. We took turns and Lana took the 7am bus. That was the first one of the day. I took the 2:30 bus. That was the last one of the day. It was 6 hours long…good and long. We each saw some of the same wildlife and some different. Lana saw a fox and a lynx. I didn’t. We each saw owls, Dall sheep (LOTS of Dall sheep), and Grizzly bear. We each saw plenty of snowshoe hare and ground squirrels. Plenty! It was certainly worth the trip. When we go back in a few weeks with friends, we’ll add to this list of wildlife wildFLOWERS! Yeah! Color and more greenery!! There’s so much brown right now, it looks like California!

Caribou Crossing

Caribou Crossing

Originally uploaded by merrymaryallegra

Eight caribou took a little detour onto the road as we drove through the Denali National Park. This was at about mile 15 or so. It goes on for about 80, or something like that. You can only drive your car on the first 25, or so. To go the whole length, you have to take a bus. It is a great experience!

There’s a marmot up there!

There’s a marmot up there!

Originally uploaded by merrymaryallegra

This plume of rock is located at the last part of the Denali park road that you can drive your own car to. We drove out there from Savage River on our way back to Palmer…lovely little hike…and more WILDLIFE!

Marmot On High!

Marmot On High!

Originally uploaded by merrymaryallegra

There he (or she) is. Marmot of Denali! I was so scared to climb up to catch a glimpse. Lana was perched along the ridge fearlessly, as usual…she’s the fearless one. I’m the bock, bock chicken one…though I did make it up a few more feet after some prodding to catch a gander at Mr. (or Mrs.) Marmot with my own two (really, four) eyes.

Lana on the rocky mountain…with the marmot!

Lana on the rocky mountain…with the marmot!

Originally uploaded by merrymaryallegra

This was a little hike up some rocky trail while Molly waited in the car for us. Lana found her furry friend at the top…the windy top. (That’s wind…like woosh…howl…wind. NOT wind, like curvy, windy, turning…wind.)

Stacks of Rocks…

Stacks of Rocks…

Originally uploaded by merrymaryallegra

Clearly when this rock was in liquid form, it just layered on…right? Anyhow, the layers are amazing…like a time capsule right in front of your eyes!

See the veining…

See the veining…

Originally uploaded by merrymaryallegra

This rock has that lovely orange lichen on it, as well…just a touch.

Veining in a Denali rock

Veining in a Denali rock

Originally uploaded by merrymaryallegra

Man, I wish I could go back and take my geology class over again! That quick summer course at Dekalb Junior College in Atlanta has just slipped my memory and I wish I knew what all the gorgeous rocks were in Denali. LOTS of geology!!

Fuzzy Leaves

Fuzzy Leaves

Originally uploaded by merrymaryallegra

In the arctic, even the plants might wear a coat! Brrr…those slopes and mountains get mighty cold…and windy! Whipping wind!! Whip. Whip. WINDY wind!

Red tipped lil’ plants…

Red tipped lil’ plants…

Originally uploaded by merrymaryallegra

This is a teeny tiny plant that seems to grow out of the rock. Love the red tipped goodness.