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Ninilchik was founded when Alaska still belonged to Russia and when Russia still adhered to the Orthodox Church. The Transfiguration Of Our Lord Church dates back to before statehood and the classic building is surrounded by the graves of the parishioners.
The state flower of Alaska is the alpine forget-me-not, but it would be easy to assume that it would be the ubiquitous fireweed. During the long summer days, fireweed turns the roadsides and avalanche slopes purple with their blossoms. Come fall, though, they really catch fire. This fireweed is certainly living up to its name as it grows between the pickets of the church's fence.
The seed pods of the fireweed break open when ripe, each pod releasing dozens of tiny, feather-tailed seeds, which will lie dormant through the long winter until sprouting on every bit of open ground come spring. While I've often seen the seed pods, I've never seen them open so perfectly as I did here in Moose Pass.
The rough coast of Alaska is protected by a few lighthouses, like this one near Anchor Point. The mouth of the creek forms a wide, rich swamp, home to many species.
A short side trip to Clam Gulch yielded quite a surprise: this immature bald eagle fighting with its sibling over a fresh thigh bone.
The bedraggled immature eagle above wouldn't have inspired our Founding Fathers to name it the national symbol, but the full-grown adult on the wing at right certainly inspires plenty of pride and awe.