Before I stepped off the plane at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport in May, Alaska was a bucket list place I’d only dreamed of seeing. Its wilderness and almost-fake-looking blue waters seemed like a hiker’s paradise, but as an animal lover as well, famous Alaskan wildlife may have been what I was most eager to experience. 

And what’s a better way to do that than to spend the entire summer in this incredible state working for Audubon Alaska? Answer: There isn’t one. 

The past three months have been surreal. I’ve spent the summer hiking, running, and birding in some of the coolest spots on the planet, and I’ve definitely checked wildlife viewing off my to-do list. From polar bears to puffins, I’ve seen a lot. 

Without further adieu, here’s a roundup of some of my most unforgettable wildlife encounters.

Utqiagvik: Polar Bear, Walrus, Eider, and Owl

I never thought I’d get to go to the Arctic in my life (let alone this summer), but during my second week in Alaska, I found myself in Utqiaġvik, the northernmost community in the United States, to attend the Utqiagvik Migratory Bird Festival with Audubon Alaska.

During a bird tour at the festival, I had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get a look at a polar bear out on the sea ice. It feels a little wrong to say my favorite animal I saw at a bird festival isn't a bird, but witnessing a polar bear in its natural habitat is something that I’d never dreamed I’d get to see.

Right after we saw the polar bear, our bird guide was able to point out a tiny blob out on the ice which, if you looked closely, was a walrus. I won’t include a picture (because it really doesn't do justice to the experience), but spotting it was still thrilling. 

As for birds, the King Eider and the Snowy Owl were highlights of the festival. The blue, green, and orange plumage of the male King Eider made the bird so striking and officially turned me into a birdwatcher for life. 

The Snowy Owl was just as impressive. Talk about a majestic bird! We spotted it perched near the Barrow Cemetery (I know, a bit eerie, but it was an incredible sight). Its paper-white feathers and piercing yellow eyes felt like they were straight out of some sort of magical winter-wonderland storybook!

Anchorage Area: Moose, Bear, Porcupine, and Birds at Westchester Lagoon

Want to see moose in Anchorage? Look no further than the Chester Creek Trail (or anywhere else, for that matter). I run on the Chester Creek Trail multiple times a week and use it to bike to work every day. At least once a week, I see moose on the trail. It has been amazing to see wildlife so close to my house and has been one of the best parts of my summer!

Near Anchorage, I have also seen a black bear on the Chester Creek Trail. Now, this is a rarity (I am definitely not recommending you go out searching for one there) but It was an incredible and slightly nerve-wracking experience. I’ve also seen black bear at Eklutna Lake and near the Glen Alps trailhead just 30 minutes south of downtown. (If you are looking for scenery, I would highly recommend both of these places for a hike.)

Also making my list of favorite Alaskan wildlife is the porcupine, an animal I didn’t even know existed in Alaska until I saw one as I was climbing along Turnagain Arm (a newfound hobby that I’ve picked up this summer).

Finally, one of my favorite spots and activities in Anchorage has been birding Westchester Lagoon. I first visited the area for Audubon’s Pride-themed LGBT (Let’s Go Birding Together) bird walk that took place in June  (we have had three bird walks this summer, so If you are looking for wildlife viewing next summer, I’d highly recommend keeping an eye out for our summer events). I now visit the area regularly. There are so many birds at Westchester, but my favorites have been the Arctic Tern (which has one of the longest migration journeys of any animal on earth), the Trumpeter Swan, the dozens of baby Canada Geese, and a Sandhill Crane, which I actually spotted at the Audubon Wayside, the pull-out platform along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, just a short walk from the lagoon.

Seward: Bald Eagles and Puffins on a Kenai Fjords Boat Tour 

This summer, I have taken a couple of trips down to Seward, once on the Fourth of July to watch the Mount Marathon Race and once to explore the Kenai Fjords National Park via a wildlife tour. 

While I’ve seen Bald Eagles in Anchorage, I’ve got to give Seward the crown for best Bald Eagle sightings during my stay. There isn't much better way to celebrate the Fourth of July than seeing a Bald Eagle soaring just a couple feet above me. 

And while I took a Kenai Fjords boat tour on a particularly nasty and rainy day, there was no shortage of wildlife! I’d been angling to see Horned Puffins all summer, and I finally got to check them off my list after seeing dozens just sitting in the water along the fjords. The boat tour also showcased some of Alaska’s most impressive marine mammals. We got up close to a humpback whale, a definite highlight of the day. Not to be outdone, we also saw sea otters (some of my personal favorite animals), Harbor Seals, and even a mountain goat standing on a steep cliffside.

Denali: Willow Ptarmigan, Grizzly Bear, and Caribou

I camped in Denali National Park and Preserve for one of my final weekends here in Alaska. On my first hike, I encountered a Willow Ptarmigan, a bird that I’d seen in Anchorage but didn't realize until Denali that it is Alaska's state bird. 

I was also able to see Dall Sheep grazing along the mountains on multiple occasions, crossing another iconic animal off my list.

As a grand finale, I took a hop-on-hop-off bus tour that carted me out to Mile 43 of the park. Along the way, I had my first-ever encounters with a brown bear and several caribou—a truly unforgettable experience. Seeing these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat was the perfect way to cap off my adventures in Denali.

Next: Southeast Alaska!

To finish out the summer, I will be spending my final week exploring Southeast Alaska—including Haines, Sitka, and Juneau! I am sure I’ll see plenty more birds and wildlife when I am there, and I will be sure to visit plenty of spots on the Southeast Alaska Birding Trail.

But I'm especially excited to just be in the Tongass National Forest, especially since I had the privilege of writing about it this summer. Check out "The Tongass and the Era of Old-Growth Protections," the latest installment of On The Wire.

— Hannah Gilmer, Outreach and Communications Advocate