Trip Report: Nature of Nome

January 14, 2025  •  Leave a Comment

It has been a few months since I took a group to Nome, Alaska.

Sunset_Pano_Nome_2024_1Sunset_Pano_Nome_2024_1The pastel shades of sunset on the tundra as the first color of sunrise hit the sky near Nome, Alaska on the longest day of the year. As I gave a presentation recently and spoke about the experience of watching sunset and sunrise at the same time (like this pano above), I realized I had not shared stories from the adventure – and an adventure it was.

Nome is located on the coast of the Seward Peninsula in western Alaska on the Bering Sea. It also sits near the Arctic Circle, putting this location within the area of Alaska that does not see darkness for a portion of the summer, like this photo taken near midnight on the road to Teller. 

Sunset_tundra_Nome_2023_1Sunset_tundra_Nome_2023_1The midnight sun makes its descent towards the horizon above a foggy tundra near Nome, Alaska. That is when we go.

At this time of year, sunset and sunrise blend into each other as the sun only sets a few degrees below the horizon causing golden hour to last almost six hours. 

Animals remain active all night, like this arctic hare seen on one of the remote roads about 1 a.m. The light goes from golden hues to a colorful sunset to the cooler colors of sunrise.

Arctic_hare_Nome_2024_1Arctic_hare_Nome_2024_1An arctic hare (Lepus arcticus) jumps across a dirt road as the sun sets after midnight in the remote tundra near Nome, Alaska. And for those reasons, our group goes out for dinner at 4 in the afternoon and then travels along one of the three roads into the tundra a couple hours later. 

You cannot drive to Nome from other parts of Alaska but there are three roads – each about 75 miles long – that go out to remote villages on the tundra at the end of each road. Taking a different road each evening offers varying opportunities to see wildlife, photograph the beauty of the arctic tundra, explore the boreal forest and experience the unique aspects produced by the land of the midnight sun. 

Porcupine_Nome_2024_1Porcupine_Nome_2024_1A porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) hides in the alders in the tundra near Nome, Alaska. The trip is also timed to coincide with the early days in the lives of muskox calves. Born in late May, these little cuties are now getting a little more confident and enjoying some freedom from mom. 

We saw several herds of muskox and had some great chances to photograph the moms, calves and even some yearling muskox playing in snow. 

Muskox_Nome_2023_9Muskox_Nome_2023_9A mother muskox and her calf (Ovibos moschatus) stand on a gravel area on a windy afternoon in Nome, Alaska. In addition to stunning midnight sun scenes and baby muskox, the trip aligns with the beginning of nesting season on the arctic tundra. Long-tailed jaegers had just arrived, still gathering in large groups before dispersing to find their own nesting area. Red-throated loons were keeping eggs warm. Eastern yellow wagtails were singing to attract mates. And red-necked phalarope males and greater scaup drakes courted females. 

Greater_scaup_Nome_2024_1Greater_scaup_Nome_2024_1A female greater scaup (Aythya marila) takes off past the male on a small pond near Nome, Alaska. Beyond birds, muskox and landscape scenes, we also saw arctic hares, moose, lynx, beavers, porcupine and red fox. What a trip!! 

Eastern_yellow_wagtail_Nome_2024_1Eastern_yellow_wagtail_Nome_2024_1An eastern yellow wagtail (Motacilla tschutschensis) sings from the top of a willow bush with new buds near Nome, Alaska. Nome isn’t an easy place to visit, requiring at least two flights, sometimes three, from the lower 48 states into Nome. It is a vast expanse of land to explore and look for animals of all sizes along dirt roads. But oh when you find them, how outstanding the experience feels, how the scenery takes your breath away and how the memory will stay with you for a lifetime.

Join us in 2025 for another Nature of Nome tour to explore the rivers, mountains and tundra of the region around Nome during the season of the midnight sun.

For more information about this year's trip from June 16-22, visit Wildside Nature Tours Nature of Nome.

Sunrise_tundra_Nome_2023_5Sunrise_tundra_Nome_2023_5The first tones of sunset's golden hour settle on a small hunting village near Nome, Alaska.

 


Comments

Subscribe
RSS
Archive
January February (1) March (1) April May June July August September October November (2) December (2)
January February March April (1) May June July August September (15) October (22) November (9) December (10)
January (2) February March April May June (1) July August September October November December (2)
January February March April May June July (1) August September October November (1) December
January (1) February March April May June July August September October November December
January February March April May (1) June (2) July (2) August September October (1) November December (1)
January (1) February March (1) April May June July August September October November December
January (1) February (1) March (1) April May June (1) July August September October November December (3)
January (2) February March April May (2) June July August September October November December
January (2) February March April May June July August September October November December