Ninilchik, Alaska

Yesterday we drove through the Skilak National Wildlife Refuge just off the Sterling Highway near Sterling, AK.  Saw a large moose, lots of lakes and some waterfowl, Common Scoter and Barrow's Goldeneye.  Stayed in Soldatana and walked the riverwalk after dinner-saw Mew Gulls and Bonaparte's Gulls.  This morning we drove to Ninilchik where we visited the old Russian fishing village.  So picturesque and authentic with old buildings and derelict boats, and lots of salmon fishermen in the Ninilchik River-season opened today. Had lunch at the place where Duane stayed when he worked on seismograph crew over fifty years ago.  They are still renting the little log cabins-probably to fishermen.  We visited the Russian Orthodox Church overlooking the bay and found the name of one of Duane's Russian workmates from those days at the cemetery.  After lunch we found our fishing guide for tomorrow and our cabin on the cliff overlooking the ocean at Anchor Point-fantastic view.  After obtaining our fishing licenses, drove on to Homer and out onto the Homer Spit.  Spent some time there looking at the birds on the dock-decided they were black-legged kittiwakes.  Have seen and photographed the bald eagles today-so majestic.