Wasilla, Alaska - Local Wildlife and Nancy Lake

We continued along the rail northward, winding past half frozen lakes and different "tundra" levels.

This high pole was built to aid the nesting birds (perched on the electrical post) and was to keep the nests off of the power poles.  It would be very helpful if Paula was on the trip! She could tell us the name of the bird.

The large windows on the train made it easy to see in all directions.

We continued to cross a lot of streams that had thawed.

Most of the forests in the area are Tiaga, also known as boreal forests. It is made up mostly of pines, spruces and larches.

The term "boreal forest" is sometimes used (particularly in Canada but also in Scandinavia and Finland) to refer to the more southerly part of the biome, while the term taiga is often used to describe the more barren areas of the northernmost part of the taiga approaching the tree line and the tundra biome.

A beaver dam in the middle of the stream.

Housing development starts as we approach Nancy Lake.  I am glad that we are traveling through the area while the leaves are off of the trees. It is much easier to see what is going on.

Large houses with large front yards stretch down to the lake.

Local businesses.  Hibernating or closed?

There are a lot of flowing streams in the area.

Fishermen out for a "bad day fishing is better than a good day at the office."

Marsh lands, pine and spruce trees, and the pretty white birches.

Coming up on a view of the big mountains.