Our research in Alaska is going great. We are working our way up the some 450 miles of the Tongass National Forest, most of it by ferry. Eagles, Black bears, and Sitka deer are plentiful. I think we've had close to 25 bear sightings and countless deer and eagle sightings. Finally, even though a cloudy, wet day, got a reasonably good shot of a Bald eagle.





While in Coffman Cove (100 people) on the north end of Prince of Wales (POW) Island, met Chuck Bateman, a 30-year resident. He was kind enough to take us out on his boat to his crab traps, in which many Dungeness crabs were caught. This monster, held by Chuck, is one of them.





Finally, for this posting, drove to Kasaan, still on POW, and saw 12 totem poles carved by the Haida people. This is an example of one of them.

Well, Fred, I hope you finally found a real king crab on your trip to Alaska's forests because the crab you picture is a small dungeness crab. King crabs tend to be a little bigger- 7"-8" across the back with a leg span that sometimes reaches 3 feet.

I understand you had a chance to meet with Gail Kimbell, Chief of the Forest Service, on your trip while youwere on the Chugach National Forest. She's a very interesting lady with a lot on her plate. I hope she was interested in your ideas and comments after finally finishing your quest to visit all of the Forest Service national forests and grasslands.

Hi Ray - thanks for the crab name correction. I posted the change.

Yes, we did meet with the Chief. We gave her a list of suggestions/comments, a copy of which we transmitted to Neil, Pam and Francisco. We didn't have much time to discuss them, but I felt a sincere interest on her part - we'll see.

Currently in Fairbanks and will start our way back to Bisbee, AZ on Thursday. It has been quite a trip. Should have our website updated with Tongass in a couple weeks and Chugach in about a month. Thanks for writing . . . Fred

Howdy Fred,

I realize your extremely busy with projects, I just want to add that I really adore your eagle and crab photographs! I've been trying to capture eagles in the Southwest for 15 years and you probably had more in one day than I have had in a year! Great camera work! I guess I gotta go north to Alaska to get these birds! In the 1970s the Alcan Highway was mud, when I traveled it to Ft. Wainwright in Fairbanks. I hear it's been paved now? Love your photographs! Beautiful symbol isn't she/he?