Declan Troy
@troydeclan.bsky.social
Alaska based biologist and photographer.
Reposted by Declan Troy
55 years ago today, the Oregon State Highway Division had a whale of a problem on its hands. How it solved it is the stuff of legends.
In other words: Happy Exploding Whale Day!
In other words: Happy Exploding Whale Day!
The Exploding Whale: An infamous moment in Oregon history creates a strangely beloved icon
YouTube video by KATU News
youtu.be
November 12, 2025 at 5:38 PM
55 years ago today, the Oregon State Highway Division had a whale of a problem on its hands. How it solved it is the stuff of legends.
In other words: Happy Exploding Whale Day!
In other words: Happy Exploding Whale Day!
Reposted by Declan Troy
ALL RUFFLED UP: A Steller's jay fluffs its feathers on a cold day in Anchorage, Alaska.
#birds #birding #nature #photography
#birds #birding #nature #photography
November 12, 2025 at 8:15 PM
ALL RUFFLED UP: A Steller's jay fluffs its feathers on a cold day in Anchorage, Alaska.
#birds #birding #nature #photography
#birds #birding #nature #photography
As snow blankets Alaska things are just getting going in the southern hemisphere. Here's a White-tufted Grebe tending its grebelings in Buenos Aires #Argentina 🪶
November 12, 2025 at 10:45 PM
As snow blankets Alaska things are just getting going in the southern hemisphere. Here's a White-tufted Grebe tending its grebelings in Buenos Aires #Argentina 🪶
An increase in Anchorage wolf encounters spark curiosity, not alarm alaskapublic.org/news/anchora...
An increase in Anchorage wolf encounters spark curiosity, not alarm
After spotting six wolves on a trail near her home, one Anchorage resident says she's seen the pack multiple times since late August.
alaskapublic.org
November 12, 2025 at 9:58 PM
An increase in Anchorage wolf encounters spark curiosity, not alarm alaskapublic.org/news/anchora...
I'm recently back from an excursion to the opposite end of the world so for awhile most of my posts will be from the southern hemisphere. I'll start with the aptly named Yellow-chinned Spinetail, a lifer (@aba.org ) seen during a stopover in Buenos Aires #Argentina. 🪶
November 11, 2025 at 4:54 PM
I'm recently back from an excursion to the opposite end of the world so for awhile most of my posts will be from the southern hemisphere. I'll start with the aptly named Yellow-chinned Spinetail, a lifer (@aba.org ) seen during a stopover in Buenos Aires #Argentina. 🪶
We’re snailposting, post your snails.
The snail is Nucella lamellosa, the yellow is snail egg cases. And other assorted marine life from Prince William Sound #Alaska 🦑
The snail is Nucella lamellosa, the yellow is snail egg cases. And other assorted marine life from Prince William Sound #Alaska 🦑
November 9, 2025 at 6:59 PM
We’re snailposting, post your snails.
The snail is Nucella lamellosa, the yellow is snail egg cases. And other assorted marine life from Prince William Sound #Alaska 🦑
The snail is Nucella lamellosa, the yellow is snail egg cases. And other assorted marine life from Prince William Sound #Alaska 🦑
During a hike this summer a friend said wolf! Sure enough and then there was another, and another, and... In the end 6 of them. Distant but exciting. Katmai NPP #Alaska 🦊
November 8, 2025 at 4:38 PM
During a hike this summer a friend said wolf! Sure enough and then there was another, and another, and... In the end 6 of them. Distant but exciting. Katmai NPP #Alaska 🦊
There was frost on the pumpkin when I took this shot but we had a dump of snow overnight so I'll have to try and relocate this bull to photograph him in the snow before he drops to a lower elevation. Chugach State Park #Alaska 🦊
November 7, 2025 at 8:34 PM
There was frost on the pumpkin when I took this shot but we had a dump of snow overnight so I'll have to try and relocate this bull to photograph him in the snow before he drops to a lower elevation. Chugach State Park #Alaska 🦊
I don't see Redheads on land very often, perhaps this guy didn't have much else to do while he finished molting. Perhaps that should be moulting as I saw this guy earlier this fall in Burlington #Ontario 🪶
November 5, 2025 at 4:49 PM
I don't see Redheads on land very often, perhaps this guy didn't have much else to do while he finished molting. Perhaps that should be moulting as I saw this guy earlier this fall in Burlington #Ontario 🪶
A Hudsonian Whimbrel (recently split from its Eurasian counterpart) playing on a cricket field during a visit to Burlington #Ontario earlier this fall.🪶
November 4, 2025 at 4:48 PM
A Hudsonian Whimbrel (recently split from its Eurasian counterpart) playing on a cricket field during a visit to Burlington #Ontario earlier this fall.🪶
Like a Fish Out of Water: Brown bear cubs in particular like their red salmon out of water as they are easier to catch on land. Katmai NPP #Alaska
November 3, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Like a Fish Out of Water: Brown bear cubs in particular like their red salmon out of water as they are easier to catch on land. Katmai NPP #Alaska
Reposted by Declan Troy
Record warm ocean temperatures continued in September across the North Pacific Ocean, with a number of consequential impacts (including on downstream weather patterns).
This graph shows the average for a band across the midlatitudes for every September from 1854-2025 using @noaa.gov ERSSTv5 data.
This graph shows the average for a band across the midlatitudes for every September from 1854-2025 using @noaa.gov ERSSTv5 data.
October 4, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Record warm ocean temperatures continued in September across the North Pacific Ocean, with a number of consequential impacts (including on downstream weather patterns).
This graph shows the average for a band across the midlatitudes for every September from 1854-2025 using @noaa.gov ERSSTv5 data.
This graph shows the average for a band across the midlatitudes for every September from 1854-2025 using @noaa.gov ERSSTv5 data.
Alpine riverbanks is not the usual habitat for Greater White-fronted Geese but I saw some most days I was there. This one is waving goodbye as we both readied for departure. Katmai NPP #Alaska 🪶
October 1, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Alpine riverbanks is not the usual habitat for Greater White-fronted Geese but I saw some most days I was there. This one is waving goodbye as we both readied for departure. Katmai NPP #Alaska 🪶
Harlequin Ducks, likely a family, taking a break on a river in Katmai NPP #Alaska They spend most of their time in fast moving water but a break from paddling is just a hop onto a rock away. 🪶
September 29, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Harlequin Ducks, likely a family, taking a break on a river in Katmai NPP #Alaska They spend most of their time in fast moving water but a break from paddling is just a hop onto a rock away. 🪶
If only Fat Bear Week had a pewee division then this cub might have been a contender. Oh well, maybe in a few years. Still in the running for cub-of-the year! Katmai NPP #Alaska 🦊
September 28, 2025 at 2:42 PM
If only Fat Bear Week had a pewee division then this cub might have been a contender. Oh well, maybe in a few years. Still in the running for cub-of-the year! Katmai NPP #Alaska 🦊
There weren't many eagles but I was delighted to find several Gyrfalcons. They wouldn't bat a nictitating membrane at the salmon but there was an abundance of prey in the form of ptarmigan and gulls to chose from (the only pursuit I saw was of a Wilson's Snipe). Katmai NPP #Alaska 🪶
September 27, 2025 at 7:54 PM
There weren't many eagles but I was delighted to find several Gyrfalcons. They wouldn't bat a nictitating membrane at the salmon but there was an abundance of prey in the form of ptarmigan and gulls to chose from (the only pursuit I saw was of a Wilson's Snipe). Katmai NPP #Alaska 🪶
A young Bald Eagle on the hunt for salmon. Not a difficult task as there were multitudes everywhere but the eagles preferred to let the bears catch and open diner for them. Katmai NPP #Alaska 🪶
September 25, 2025 at 11:54 PM
A young Bald Eagle on the hunt for salmon. Not a difficult task as there were multitudes everywhere but the eagles preferred to let the bears catch and open diner for them. Katmai NPP #Alaska 🪶
I tend to post shots of Willow Ptarmigan sporting their winter plumage so for a change here's how they look in their summer garb. Easy to see where the name Red Grouse comes from. Katmai NPP #Alaska 🪶
September 25, 2025 at 12:54 AM
I tend to post shots of Willow Ptarmigan sporting their winter plumage so for a change here's how they look in their summer garb. Easy to see where the name Red Grouse comes from. Katmai NPP #Alaska 🪶