Anchorage Urban Wildlife

Red squirrels visit our back porch for some unsalted peanuts. They come one by one... we never see two squirrels in the same line of site. There seems to be a darker variety with a darker fur around the mouth and there is a lighter variety that is larger. They are very territorial and will chase the birds from the feeder on the porch.

The black-billed magpie is a frequent visitor during winter months. They hide any food they do not eat under eaves and in the snow. Members of the crow family, magpies are very intelligent.

	Chickadee

	Chickadees in Anchorage are active during midday, foraging for seeds and eating little bits of snow to obtain badly needed water in a frozen landscape.
	Moose

	Can you see the moose in this photo? Click on the moose for more information. Moose munch on willow near the road. They will also browse in front lawns, so it's a good idea to check the front yard before leaving the house. These large ungulates migrate into town during the winter.
	Killer Whale

	Killer whales can sometimes be seen in Turnagain Arm during summer salmon runs. Over the last few years, killer whales have been stranded by outgoing tides.

	Red squirrel

	Red squirrels visit our back porch for some unsalted peanuts. They come one by one... we never see two squirrels in the same line of site. There seems to be a darker variety with a darker fur around the mouth and there is a lighter variety that is larger. They are very territorial and will chase the birds from the feeder on the porch.
	Nuthatch

	Do a mouse-over on this nuthatch. Nuthatches always seem to visit our porch in pairs. They are the first to arrive, even before daylight. They are also fearless, nearly landing on our toes when we barbecue. Our nuthatches love suet and sliced almonds.
	Black-billed Magpie

	The black-billed magpie is a frequent visitor during winter months. They hide any food they do not eat under eaves and in the snow. Members of the crow family, magpies are very intelligent.