Learning Alaska

Learning Alaska Your Digital Alaskan Tour Guide
Locations • Wildlife • History • Hidden Gems - Learning Alaskas GPS tags show where photos & videos are captured.

Sometimes the best wildlife locations aren’t hidden deep in Alaska, Westchester Lagoon is a great example of that. The m...
07/24/2026

Sometimes the best wildlife locations aren’t hidden deep in Alaska, Westchester Lagoon is a great example of that.

The moment I arrived at the Waterfowl Sanctuary, several families of birds rushed to greet me. There was so much activity that I ended up driving a little farther into the park before finding a quieter place to park and start exploring.

Just a short walk from my vehicle, I came across this small island sitting peacefully in the lagoon.

Long before Anchorage existed, the Dena’ina people knew the nearby creek as Chanshtnu, meaning “Grass Creek.” Today, you’ll find Indigenous signs around the lagoon recognizing that original name and the area’s long history as a salmon fishing and gathering place.

The lagoon itself is a year round destination. During the summer it’s a great place for bird watching, paddling, walking, and fishing, while winter transforms it into one of Anchorage’s favorite outdoor skating spots.

If you’re interested in bird photography, I’d definitely recommend adding this location to your list. Between the water, wetlands, and surrounding habitat, there was no shortage of birds to photograph, and I had barely begun exploring before wildlife started finding me.

See! You don’t have to leave the city to find Alaska. You just have to know where to look.

Westchester Lagoon
Anchorage, Alaska

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I guess even in the animal kingdom, the ladies are getting bossier these days.This lady charged in, did a little splish ...
07/13/2026

I guess even in the animal kingdom, the ladies are getting bossier these days.

This lady charged in, did a little splish splash, looked this young man dead in the eyes, and her body language said, “Let’s go!”

He didn’t argue.

He smiled at her tone, and they both walked off into the distance as the sun set.

Potter Marsh
Anchorage, Alaska

07/08/2026

As I was photographing a Common Merganser family swimming at Potter Marsh, I couldn’t help but notice a sudden change in everyone’s behavior around me. When I pulled my face away from the camera, I instantly knew what was going on.

Two moose were entering the water.

I quickly pulled out my phone to capture the moment since the lens on my camera wasn’t wide enough to do the scene justice.

Bear with me as I try to juggle my phone and camera over the next few minutes.

I hope this video offers more than just a behind the scenes look at another moment where Alaska put on a show. I hope it also shines a light on the fact that Alaska’s beauty is everywhere… yes, even in Anchorage.

Many people treat Anchorage as the city their plane lands in before heading out to experience “the real Alaska.” But if you slow down and explore, you’ll find wildlife, mountain views, and moments like this waiting around every corner.

Sometimes the best Alaska experiences are the ones people drive right past.

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07/07/2026

It’s hard not to stop and watch when you come across moose like these. 🫎

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07/06/2026

You can’t convince me this isn’t one of the cutest things in Alaska. 🥹❤️

Follow Learning Alaska to learn more about Common Mergansers, how many babies we counted, and this location.

This family of eagles, nestled right here in Wasilla, Alaska, is so much more than meets the eye.To me, they are a remin...
07/04/2026

This family of eagles, nestled right here in Wasilla, Alaska, is so much more than meets the eye.

To me, they are a reminder of love, hardship, resilience, and the courage to rebuild. I think that’s something many of us can relate to. It’s also one of the reasons they remind me of America, a place for second chances and opportunity.

Just a few months ago, this wasn’t even a family.

In fact, this wasn’t even their home.

Last winter, one of the strongest windstorms Wasilla has seen destroyed the nest these eagles had worked so hard to build. It would have been easy to leave, but they didn’t.

Instead, they accepted what was lost and got back to work.

Only a few feet from the original nest, they built another one from scratch. That determination paid off. This spring they welcomed two eaglets, and watching them grow has been incredible.

Part of what makes this such a great place for them to nest here is Cottonwood Creek, which flows just a few hundred yards away. Portions of the creek stay open through much of the winter, providing a reliable food source for eagles and countless other wildlife throughout the year.

Sometimes nature reminds us that losing everything doesn’t have to be the end of the story.

Sometimes it’s just the beginning of building something even stronger.

The Eagle Family
Wasilla, Alaska 🇺🇸

I spotted this family just off the boardwalk at Potters Marsh in Anchorage. It was so cute to watch Mom resting while he...
07/04/2026

I spotted this family just off the boardwalk at Potters Marsh in Anchorage. It was so cute to watch Mom resting while her ducklings wrestled for the perfect spot, all trying to tuck in around her.

Mom stayed calm through it all, almost like she knew everyone was watching. I took photos every time there was a break in the chaos, and she kept posing just long enough to give me the perfect family portrait.

Later, when she decided nap time was over, she slipped into the water and took everyone for a swim.

That’s when the real show started.

All the ducklings followed behind her, some holding on to her, some swimming behind her, and others trailing as fast as they could trying to keep up.

A Common Merganser generally has around 8 to 12 ducklings. We counted 10, although someone nearby thought there might have been 11. Either way, that’s a big family!

This was one of those sweet Alaska wildlife moments that makes you smile from ear to ear.

Potter Marsh is known for its birds, and it certainly lived up to its reputation!

Common Merganser
Anchorage, Alaska 🇺🇸

(Image upload, Part 2 of 2) A beached gray whale was lying where Anchor Point meets Cook Inlet, just a couple hundred ya...
07/02/2026

(Image upload, Part 2 of 2) A beached gray whale was lying where Anchor Point meets Cook Inlet, just a couple hundred yards from the Anchor River State Recreation Area parking lot. From nose to tail, it appeared to be around 40 feet long.

Seeing an animal this large up close is difficult to put into words. You don’t truly understand its size until people are standing beside it. Every inch of it reminds you just how incredible these animals really are.

Gray whales are among the longest migrating mammals on Earth, traveling thousands of miles each year between the warm breeding lagoons of Mexico and the rich feeding grounds of Alaska. The journey is remarkable, but not every whale makes it.

The team examining this whale will help determine, if possible, what caused its death. Every stranded whale provides scientists with valuable information that can improve our understanding of these animals and the challenges they face.

Moments like this are bittersweet. It’s sad to see such a magnificent animal at the end of its journey, but it’s also a rare opportunity to appreciate just how extraordinary life in Alaska can be.

Gray Whale
Anchor Point, Alaska 🇺🇸

07/02/2026

Even in death, this whale has something to teach us.

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