Slideshow by DeWaine Tollefsrud, guide

Hallo Bay Bear Camp Guide, DeWaine Tollefsrud has prepared a slideshow on his flightseeing adventure. If you ever wanted to know what it's like to fly in Alaska: click here (to slow the pictures, click on the picture and a menu will appear at the bottom & you can take your time to view the pics using the arrows)

Also, here is a geomap of his adventure: click here
(Google Earth)

Sunday afternoon

It has been a quiet, windy day at Camp. Fannie and Morty have been busy doing the odd chores around Camp, such as working on the stairs to the beach. And, as always, the Camp's 3-note sparrow has been singing all day - hopefully trying to attract a mate! Speaking of which, the bear couple are still hanging out down the beach, just out of camera range. She digs for clams and he lays there watching her. Spring has come to Hallo Bay!

WEATHER: Sunday 053109

Observed Weather at Hallo Bay Camp

7:00 AM

Weather Conditions: Overcast

Visibility: 10 miles

Ceiling: 2500 feet

Wind: 12 mph out of E

Wind Gusts: to 15 mph

Current Temp: 44 F - 6 C

High Daytime Temp Yesterday: 45 F - 7 C

Barometric Pressure: 30.23 and steady

Outside Humidity: 89%

Rainfall: 0.75 Total inches last 24 hours

Rainfall: 3.82 Total inches for May

Rainfall: 3.82 Total inches since May 12, 2009

Observed Sea Swell off Beach: 1.0' - 2.0'

Homer Office Webcam

Tigger Forecast: resting, no report

Actual Sunrise: 5:14 AM AKDT

Actual Sunset: 11:24 PM AKDT

Civil Twilight Sunrise: 3:56 AM

Civil Twilight Sunset: 12:43 AM

Moon Rise: 3:05 PM

Moon Set: 3:01 AM

Moon: First Quarter, 56% of Moon is Illuminated

Length of Visible Light: 20h 47m

Length of Day: 18h 09m

Tomorrow will be 3m 6s longer

Have a Safe Day

Our new season...

As we get ready to start our Hallo Bay Bear Camp 2009 season, we hope you will enjoy the photos taken by our Camp crew. There is always something going on, and we like to share it with you. It's even better in person!

Eagle pics from May 29th

WEATHER: Saturday 053009

Observed Weather at Hallo Bay Camp

7:00 AM

Weather Conditions: Overcast

Visibility: 10 miles

Ceiling: 8000 feet

Wind: 1 mph out of NW

Wind Gust: to 4 mph

Current Temp: 37 F 2 C

High Daytime Temp Yesterday: 51 F 11 C

Barometric Pressure: 30.00 and rising

Outside Humidity: 91%

Rainfall: 0.00 Total inches last 24 hours

Rainfall: 3.07 Total inches for May

Rainfall: 3.07 Total inches since May 12, 2009

Observed Sea Swell off Beach: calm-1.0

Homer Office Webcam

Tigger Forecast: kitty napping, no report

Actual Sunrise: 5:16 AM AKDT

Actual Sunset: 11:22 PM AKDT

Civil Twilight Sunrise: 3:58 AM

Civil Twilight Sunset: 12:40 AM

Moon Rise: 1:33 PM

Moon Set: 2:57 AM

Moon: Waxing Crescent, 44% of Moon is Illuminated

Length of Visible Light: 20h 42m

Length of Day: 18h 06m

Tomorrow will be 3m 13s longer

Have a Safe Day

Friday morning mail call...

Fannie had company this morning at the mail box!

WEATHER: Friday 052909

Observed Weather at Hallo Bay Camp

7:00 AM

Weather Conditions: Partly cloudy

Visibility: 10 miles

Ceiling: 5000 feet

Wind: 1 mph out of N

Wind Gusts: to 3 mph

Current Temp: 40 F 4 C

High Daytime Temp Yesterday: 47 F 8 C

Barometric Pressure: 29.85 and steady

Outside Humidity: 92%

Rainfall: 0.00 Total inches last 24 hours

Rainfall: 3.07 Total inches for May

Rainfall: 3.07 Total inches since May 12, 2009

Observed Sea Swell of Beach: calm-1.0

Homer Office Webcam

Tigger Forecast: resting, purring Birthday Wishes to Simyra

Actual Sunrise: 5:17 AM AKDT

Actual Sunset: 11:20 PM AKDT

Civil Twilight Sunrise: 4:01 AM

Civil Twilight Sunset: 12:37 AM

Moon Rise: 11:56 AM

Moon Set: 2:51 AM

Moon: Waxing Crescent, 34% of Moon is Illuminated

Length of Visible Light: 20h 36m

Length of Day: 18h 02m

Tomorrow will be 3m 31s longer

Have a Safe Day

For Simyra @ Hallo Bay Bear Camp:

Would You Help Identify This?

While at the Hallo Bay tidal pools, we came across this litte beauty,
but we don't know what it is -- do you?
We would appreciate your help in identifying it
Thank You

WEATHER: Thursday 052809

Observed Weather at Hallo Bay Camp

7:00 AM -- Noon Update

Weather Conditions: Overcast with light rain - Overcast
Visibility: 10 miles - 10 miles
Ceiling: 3000 feet - 2500 feet

Wind: 0 mph out of NE - 6 mph out of SE

WInd Gusts: to 2 mph - to 7 mph

Current Temp: 44 F - 44 F 6 c

High Daytime Temp Yesterday: 49 F 9 C

Barometric Pressure: 29.95 and falling - 29.99 and rising

Outside Humidity: 92% - 86%

Rainfall: 0.02 Total inches last 24 hours
Rainfall: 3.09 Total inches for May

Rainfall: 3.09 Total inches since May 12, 2009

Observed Sea Swell off Beach: calm-1.0
Homer Office Webcam
Tigger Forecast: on her back at 10 PM last night,
usually indicating rain or fog -- she's right as rain again!
resting, no report.
Actual Sunrise: 5:19 AM AKDT

Actual Sunset: 11:18 PM AKDT

Civil Twilight Sunrise: 4:04 AM

Civil Twilight Sunset: 12:34 AM

Moon Rise: 10:14 AM

Moon Set: 2:42 AM

Length of Visible Light: 20h 30m

Length of Day: 17h 59m

Tomorrow will be 3m 26s longer

Have a Safe Day

Hallo Bay Tidal Pools

Limpet

Red anemone closed, green anemone open!

Company on our Walk...

Fannie and Morty were walking out to the tidal pools and they had some company:

River Otter -- there is a merry band of these fun loving river otters living near the Camp in the Beaver Creek. You should see them tease the bears when the tide is in, and the bears are fishing in 2 to 5 feet of water...they're quick!

Grizzly Bear looking for clams

Yak Mt and Reflection

Yak Mt and reflection

Beaver Lodge

The beaver lodge and pond they created from different streams by making the dams

Freshly gnawed tree stump - they've been working very hard!

They created this waterfall - note the lodge behind the falls.

WEATHER: Wednesday 052709

Observed Weather at Hallo Bay Camp

7:00 AM

Weather Conditions: Clear with a few high clouds

Visibility: 10 miles

Ceiling: Clear

Wind: 0 mph out of N

Wind Gusts: to 2 mph

Current Temp: 41 F 5 C

High daytime Temp Yesterday: 62 F 16 C

Barometric Pressure: 29.93 and steady

Outside Humidity: 91%

Rainfall: 0.00 Total inches last 24 hours

Rainfall: 3.07 Total inches for May

Rainfall: 3.07 Total inches since May 12, 2009

Observed Sea Swell off Beach: calm-1.0

Homer Office Webcam

Tigger Forecast: resting, when not looking for cranes!

Actual Sunrise: 5:21 AM AKDT

Actual Sunset: 11:16 PM AKDT

Civil Twilight Sunrise: 4:07 AM

Civil Twilight Sunset: 12:31 AM

Moon Rise: 8:28 AM

Moon Set: 2:26 AM

Moon: Waxing Crescent, 14% of Moon is illuminated

Length of Visible Light: 20h 24m

Length of Day: 17h 55m

Tomorrow wil be 3m 33s longer.

Have a Safe Day

Question for YOU

What nature shape does this look like?

We have our own ideas, but we'd like to hear yours!

TRIVIA: this ol' log is covered in sphagnum moss. The moss was used as wound dressing during World War II because of bandage shortage and Native women had various uses for it. Click here for more information.

Wolf Print - BIG

Fannie and Morty were out hiking today and came across this wolf print...a really BIG wolf print! Wonder if this print belongs to Fannie's white wolf?

Spring begins...

The snows have left, and now the rain and sunshine have brought forth another season of new growth to Hallo Bay. Enjoy this tiny little fern:

WEATHER: Tuesday 052609

Observed Weather at Hallo Bay Camp

7:00 AM

Weather Conditions: Clear

Visibility: 10 miles

Ceiling: Clear

Wind: 5 mph out of N

Wind Gusts: to 9 mph

Current Temp: 53 F 11C

High Daytime Temp Yesterday: 52 F 11C

Barometric Pressure: 29.84 and steady

Outside Humidity: 60%

Rainfall: 0.35 Total inches last 24 hours

Rainfall: 3.07 Total inches for May

Rainfall: 3.07 Total inches since May 12, 2009

Observed Sea Swell off Beach: calm-1.0

Homer Office Webcam

Tigger Forecast: still on springtime break!

Actual Sunrise: 5:22 AM AKDT

Actual Sunset: 11:14 PM AKDT

Civil Twilight Sunrise: 4:10 AM

Civil Twilight Sunset: 12:28AM

Moon Rise: 6:48 AM

Moon Set: 1:54 AM

Moon: Waxing Crescent, 7% of Moon is illuminated

Length of Visible Light: 20h 18m

Length of Day: 17h 52m

Tomorrow will be 3m 40s longer

Have a Safe Day

Bear Webcam Update

Our live bear webcam (bearcam) is predicted to go online in June, mid-month or maybe the 3rd week. We're trying to coordinate everything so this goes smoothly. We will post our progress here -- and yes, we're excited, too!

Monday Bear Watching

Monday AM, sunny and balmy makes for a splendid day for flying and bear watching. Low tides are great times for bears. Watched 5 brown bears out claming, and at least 4 browns strolling the beach. One brown lying in the sand and one large black bear (awesome sight) on the beach. One pregnant moose cow by a pond, and an eagle also joined in the search for fresh clams!

Sunday morning...

There were 3 bears on the beach yesterday: Ursula and her 3 year old cub, Orso...along with an unknown male, flirting with Momma Bear! Today we're going going to take another walk around Camp and take some more pics.

Memorial Day Salute: We Will Remember

WEATHER: Monday 052509

Observed Weather at Hallo Bay Camp

7:00 AM

Weather Conditions: Overcast with light rain

Visibility: 10 miles

Ceiling: 3000 feet

Wind: 6mph out of N

Wind Gusts: to 9 mph

Current Temp: 42 F 5c

High Daytime Temp Yesterday: 47 F 8c

Barometric Pressure: 30.04 and steady

Outside Humidity: 95%

Rainfall: 1.00 Total inches last 24 hours

Rainfall: 1.72 Total inches for May

Rainfall: 1.72 Total inches since May 12, 2009

Observed Sea Swell off Beach: calm-1.0

Homer Office Webcam

Tigger Forecast: Spring Break!

Actual Sunrise: 5:24 AM AKDT

Actual Sunset: 11:12 PM AKDT

Civil Twilight Sunrise: 4:12 AM

Civil Twilight Sunset: 12:25 AM

Moon Rise: 5:30 AM

Moon Set: 12:55 AM

Moon: Waxing crescent: 2% of the Moon is illuminated

Length of Visible Light: 20h 12m

Length of Day: 17h 48m

Tomorrow will be 3m 44s longer

Have a Safe Memorial Day

Sunday evening pics

Evening picture of Homer Spit at 10 PM -
with new moon (0% illumination):

And then a half hour later:

** it was just pointed out that we are using the wrong time stamp for this blog - we will switch over to Alaska time, instead of the Pacific time we were using (Oops!-shoot the Webmaster!) - the time on the Homer Spit webcam is correct.

Flowers from Camp

A couple of wildflowers from Hallo Bay:

Pink flower is: Fireweed

Yellow flower is: Beach Fleabane

Sunday afternoon bears...

This afternoon, Fannie and Morty took a walk overlooking the beach at Hallo Bay, and discovered Ursula and her 3 year old cub, Orso, digging for clams:

What does "Alaska" mean?

What does the name "Alaska" mean? Alaska is the Russian version of the Aleutian word Alakshak, which means great lands or peninsula. The Aleuts are people inhabiting the Aleutian Islands and western Alaska, closely related physically and culturally to Eskimos. Many state names trace their orign to native American Indian languages. Click here to find out more about Alaska.

Sunday morning...

Rain, rain, and more rain is what's up this morning, but it is a lovely day. Its not too cold and not too windy, weather's just a little tempermental, that's all. Fannie and I (Morty) have been cleaning the floors, and are now spending some time near the fire. I mentioned yesterday that I my goal was to find some nettles, and I had a wonderful time gathering them. I even managed not to get "burned" by them. I brought them in, washed them, steamed them, and made the recipe Clint sent for Nettle Quiche. It was really good! I didn't have all the ingredients out here in the wilderness, but I improvised and had a marvelous meal from it. It really is very tasty, and it's like using spinach that has a slightly sharper taste to it - I like it better than spinach. You'll have to come visit and taste my Nettle Quiche!

WEATHER: Sunday 052409

Observed Weather at Hallo Bay

6:30 AM

Weather Conditions: Overcast with light rain

Visibility: 10 miles

Ceiling: 2500 feet

Wind: 4 mph out of NW

Wind Gusts: to 5 mph
Current Temp: 40 F 4c

High Daytime Temp Yesterday: 48 F 8c

Barometric Pressure: 30.05 and steady

Outside Humidity: 89%

Rainfall: 0.00 Total inches last 24 hours (see Other Notes)

Rainfall: 0.72 Total inches for May

Rainfall: 0.72 inches since May 12, 2009

Observed Sea Swell off Beach: calm-1.0

Homer Office Webcam

Tigger Forecast: she has no report!

Actual Sunrise: 5:26 AM AKDT

Actual Sunset: 11:10 PM AKDT

Civil Twilight Sunrise: 4:15 AM

Civil Twilight Sunset: 12:22 AM

Moon Rise: 4:45 AM

Moon Set: No Moon Set

New Moon: Waxing crescent, 0% of the Moon is illuminated

Length of Visible Light: 20h 06m

Length of Day: 17h 44m

Tomorrow will be 3m 50s longer

Have a Safe Day

Other Notes: We are having a problem with our rain gauge and will have a look at it later this morning, but it appears to need replacement. We will not be able to contact Davis Weather Stations until Tuesday, so please bear with us on rain amounts. The gauge is reading 0 rainfall for the last 24 hours, yet it has rained on and off throughout the last 24 hours and we should have had a reading of around 3/4".

Striped Pumice Stones at Hallo Bay

While walking along the beach today, we found some striped pumice stones. They are lovely. According to Fannie, they are striped because Novarupta Volcano and Mt. Katmai had interconnecting magma chambers when Novarupta erupted. 33 billion tons of material blew out of Novarupta, depositing 6 cubic miles of ash and pumice. Some of what came out of the eruption were banded. The bands were caused by three different types of magma that combined during the eruption: white rhyolite, black andesite, and dacite. They all cooled together and formed the banded pumice we found. Isn' that interesting...something so pretty that came from two different volcanoes.

Saturday afternoon...

Only critter around Camp the past few days is a golden crowned sparrow, who sings to us all day long. The same three notes. He's the happiest bird in Alaska! He sings in the sunshine, the rain and the wind. We would feel lost without him. -- Fannie and I (Morty) took an awesome walk this morning following the creek to see if we could find the beginning, but it went underground on us. We followed a trail to huge crowberry patch, walked through it, and it took us to the beach. We went down a hill and hiked back to camp via the beach. We saw no wildlife, but we saw signs of them. Right at the foot of the steps leading from the beach to Camp, there were some awesome wolf prints. Wonder if this was Fannie's white wolf? -- Since I had waders on, I wanted to be in the Bay for a bit, which was fun until a wave came along and got me good. It almost went into my boots, but I'm still high 'n dry!

Saturday musings from Morty

It's been a nice peaceful morning. Long about 5pm yesterday, it started huffing and blowing out there. We finished our outdoor work around 7pm and came inside to enjoy sitting by the fire. We had wind gusts up to 40 mph, the galley quivered 'n shook, but stood firm and kept us warm 'n dry, for which we were very thankful. Today we ready for up to 8 guests. The cabins are very inviting with cozy cots, warm sleeping bags, table, chairs, and in case you're wondering, yes even a sink with water...very, very cozy indeed! But personally, today my goal is to go nettle gathering, so I can make Clint's "nettle quiche"

It's beautiful outside -- wish you were here!