Fairbanks to Brushkana (AKA Mosquito Heaven)—June 15

So up early (5:30) drank coffee, hooked up and visited the dump before leaving to empty tanks and fill up with fresh water.  Not far out of Fairbanks there is a pull off on the crest of a long hill from which you get an awesome vista of the Tanana River Valley with the magnificent Alaska Range on the horizon.  This morning it was exceptionally clear and you could see Denali (Mt. McKinley) clearly on the right side of the range (see pics).  It is said that most people who visit Alaska never get to see the magnificent beauty on their visit.  I am most fortunate and have seen here on every visit.  I have seen her from downtown Anchorage to the Denali Highway and, now, from Fairbanks.  In the pictures I have posted you will see some amazing pictures of Denali, the Three Sisters, and the beautiful Alaska Range.  The Denali Highway is my favorite place in Alaska for scenery, Nome for birds.  Today the drive was exceptionally beautiful as it was sunny, warm (75 degrees) and very little humidity.  I frequently stopped to take more pictures and have added some panorama shots of the beautiful scenery.  As far as birds for the day I added a nice Red-throated Loon at the first small lake which was too far out to get good pictures.  This loon is not always found along this highway but is a regular in Nome.  At one stop to take pictures of the Susitna River Valley I noticed a Blackpoll Warbler singing in a nearby tree but did not have my large lens camera to take a picture.  There will be plenty of these birds along the road to get some good photos in the upcoming days.  Along the way I encountered another birder and a Wings Tour Group.  In addition to the loon, I found a pair of Common Goldeneye, singing Yellow and Orange-crowned Warbler, abundant singing White-crowned Sparrows and finally, at mile 103 overlook I was able to pick out some Bohemian Waxwings as well as Bufflehead, Greater Scaup, Red-necked Grebe and nesting Lesser Yellowlegs.  This is only the second time I have driven the Denali Highway from North to South as we usually come in at Paxon and exit at Cantwell, so I spent a great deal of my time observing the beauty of this region which I am usually flying through to get back to Anchorage for the groups departure.  I am really enjoying leading the group of one (me) this year.  I camped at Brushkana, a Bureau of Land Management campground for the night.  This is only the second time I have camped here.  I remember the first time here with Bert and Shari Frenz.  Ermine, my wife, was directing me into the campsite and here hand signals were very confusing.  She was waving her hand wildly and I really didn’t understand the direction which I later learned that she was swatting the many mosquitos in the campground.  That’s why I call it Mosquito Heaven.  This time I camped in a much more open area and the number of mosquitos was greatly reduced.  As I sat before the campfire in the evening a group of Gray Jays moved in and were very vocal.  I also was treated to the singing of a Swainson’s Thrush.  Tomorrow I will move on slowly down the road camping either at a special little lake or at my favorite vista on this highway, McLaren River.