Gibraltar of the South

VNMP is regarded as a world-class art park, with over 1300 plaques, markers and monuments.  I've chosen to show Alabama's state monument because it hits the war-memorial trifecta: guns, flags, and tits.  Presumably it was considered cost-prohibitive to have the thing play Skynyrd continuously.

"An Abomination of Desolation"

...is how Father Hubbard described the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes when he first explored the area.  I finally made it out there on a trip with our dispatcher Ryan (aka "Radio".)

CSI: King Salmon

Finally wrapped up training in King Salmon with our wildlife forensics class.  Here's me showing off my perfect cast of the 'perpetrator's' ATV tire.

Bear-ly Legal

 

I'm eliding King Salmon for the moment in favor of the much more interesting Brooks Camp.  Although the bears don't show up in force until July, every so often you'll see some, like this courting pair near the mouth of the Brooks River.  Some of the returning crew can recognize them by name, but I'm not quite there yet.  

Violence with a Porpoise

Here's a harbor porpoise on Yellow Banks with a nice big shark bite taken out of its head. Check out the triangular tooth marks on the wound.