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the ubiquitous lysichiton americanus
‘In the ancient days they say there was no salmon. The Indians had nothing to eat save roots and leaves. Principle among there was the skunk cabbage. Finally, the spring salmon came for the first time. As they passed up the river, a person stood upon the shore and shouted, “Here come our relatives whose […]
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salt chuck mine: bornite to palladium
Today, the Salt Chuck mine’s rusting ore processing equipment remains mostly in place while the three story mill was (Image 1) removed as part of the CERCLA (Comprehensive Environmental Response and Liability Act) site cleanup in 2011. The Salt Chuck[1] was initially a copper mine but became Alaska’s major producer of palladium[2] after the metal […]
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villages of kasaan; an historical note
While we are preparing to hike into the Salt Chuck mine with our drones to take some aerial images for our next Kasaan mine blog, I thought that I would write a short note on the interesting history of the village(s) of Kasaan which we have referred to in a pastblog and in our overview […]
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sitka deer life as seen along setter lake, south thorne bay
When we first arrived at Setter Lake in 2006-7, our warmest welcoming committee consisted of a little family of Sitka deer. The family unit consisted of the matriarch, affectionately nicknamed MamaDoe, her spotted twins, and a young spiked buck that appeared to be related to her. They=ir entry into our lives started with raiding our bird […]
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larry heady in his element on prince of wales island
(featured photo: Larry Heady at mouth of mine) As I have been writing blogs on the mines of Kasaan Peninsula, I was thinking about some of my field trips to mines and outcrops on the Island. As I wrote, I could not help thinking of an old friend, Larry Heady. By the time I arrived […]
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lichtenstadter and mount andrew mine kasaan peninsula
Lichtenstadter and the Mount Andrew Mine Abundant natural resources have attracted prehistoric native peoples, European explorers/traders, and Americans to Prince of Wales Island. The Island’s has a long history of natural resource development. Mining has been an important part of that history. This blog continues our series of blogs about mining on the Kasaan Peninsula. […]
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the “official” herald of spring
The vernal equinox occurred two weeks ago (March 20th) by the calendar and two days ago we heard a flock of geese pass by during the early morning. But now, spring “officially” has arrived at our Setter Lake – the yellow skunk cabbage (Lysichitum americanum) shoots are emerging from the lake edge’s soggy, organic soil. […]
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Copper Queen of Kasaan
Baranovich and the Copper Queen of Kasaan This is the first in a series of blogs focusing on Prince of Wales (PoW) Island’s geology and its rich mining history. This blog is about Charles Vincent Baranovich, a Dalmatian immigrant, and the Copper Queen Mine thought to be the first lode mine in Alaska. This early […]
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nothin’ common about the common thrush
In June 1853, Thoreau wrote of an enchanting encounter with the Wood Thrush: “This is the only bird whose note affects me like music. It lifts and exhilarates me. It is inspiring. It changes all hours to an eternal morning.” http://birdnote.org/show/henry-david-thoreau-and-wood-thrush Hear! Hear! David Thoreau’s poignant prose about the elusive common thrush resonates with anyone […]
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bear bread…anyone?
Found throughout Southeast Alaska, bear bread or conk, is a familiar sight on tree stumps, dead trees, downed trees, even firewood. They are a the spore producing fruiting portion of the fungus, its main body called the mycelium are stringy filaments that burrow into the tree contributing primarily to its decay by absorbing nutrients, breaking […]
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Setter Lake Migratory Birds 