McLaren River to Eagle River—June 17

This morning I had my coffee sitting in my zero gravity chair and looking at the distant and beautiful Alaska Range and specifically the McLaren Glacier.  The McLaren River is a braided river commencing in the McLaren glacier which has carved out this amazing valley of the eons.   While sitting here I was serenaded by a very vocal Yellow Warbler and Fox sparrows chimed in as well.  I also herd the clicking of a nearby Blackpoll Warbler and in the distance I observed a pair of Long-tailed Jaegers chasing a gull.  Jaegers are notorious for making other birds drop the food that they have caught and catching it in mid-air.   I decided to backtrack to the esker lakes to see what other species I might encounter before heading on up the road.  Besides the usual duck species, I did encounter more Black Scoters and I surprised a Merlin that took flight.  Unfortunately, it happened so quickly I didn’t get a photo.  There were both Trumpeter and Tundra Swans and lots of Red-necked Phalaropes.  I was also amazed at the abundant numbers of Arctic Warblers; it seems that there is more this year than ever.  At nearly every stop I could hear them calling.  Back in camp and preparing to leave I noticed what I thought was a dog coming down off the adjacent hill.  As it turned out it was a fox with something in its mouth.  I believe it was a bird, and most probably a Cliff Swallow, and it was being chased by a large number of Cliff Swallows.  I was fortunate to get photos and watched as it ran across the McLaren Bridge closely followed by many swallows.  Once packed I headed up the road stopping atop the McLaren Summit to take pictures of the valley below.  The Summit is over 4000 feet high and gives a majestic view of this large valley dotted with many small lakes with apparent beaver huts.  After stopping to try for a Norther Wheatear (I dipped) and watching a couple fly fish at one of the creeks crossing the road, I finally reached Tangle River Inn.  I stopped there to visit with Violet and Nadine, friends for many years now and have lunch.  Afterwards I decided to head on toward the Anchorage area and when I reached Glenallen around 2:30 I decided to just head on to Eagle River only a three-hour drive from there.  I looked for the Northern Hawk Owl that we have found the last two years on birding trips along the highway, but did not find one.  When I reached Eagle River I went to the state park for a camping spot but they were absolutely full and had a number of units in the overflow lot.  I made the decision to become a Walmart camper for the night and headed there.  Not my favorite place to camp but I was tired from a long day of driving and just needed a place to sleep.