I was briefly hired by an engineering company to look for marmots at a proposed molybdenum mine near Atlin, B.C.  I did find a few hoary marmots (Marmota caligata) – but doubt it made much difference in the grand scheme of things.  The scenery was just amazing.

______________________________________________________________
Click on any image to start a full-screen slide-show (and hit “Esc” to return here)

On the way to Whitehorse, Yukon, 30 May 2007. With my (almost) brand-new Nikon D70…

on the Alaska highway heading south

Atlin, British Columbia. I think my first reaction was “gee, I like this”.

This is downtown Atlin. There’s not very much to do on a Saturday night!

But the history and scenery are amazing. This is the proverbial old gold mining town of lore.

Some of the original miner’s cabins are still extant.

I don’t know what happened here, but thought this was really poignant. SOMEBODY remembered something…

Parking lot in typical northern style.

The best view from a hotel room I have ever seen. And this photograph was taken at about midnight.

Western gulls

Downtown shopping opportunities in Atlin are quite limited.

This preserved ferry used to ferry miners to and from Alaska.

On the way to Ruby Creek, which was our study area.

More of our study area.

A nice helicopter landing pad. Thank you Daryl. Some other pilots I’ve met would have been impressed.

See? There are marmots there too.

White-tailed ptarmigan at Ruby Creek.

Caribou on ridge

Field accomodations…just kidding. This is clever camouflage for the helicopter fuel storage

Just a walk around town

Downtown Atlin #2

Downtown Atlin #6

Downtown Atlin #4

Downtown Atlin #8

Downtown Atlin #9

Homesteading did cross my mind…

Northern flying at its best…

Dryas integrifolia – one of the hardiest plants in alpine terrain.

I should know the species…but don’t

One of my favorite self-portraits – on the way to Ruby Creek, 1 June 2007.

Surprise lake was just that

The evidence of mining was everywhere – and not always so photogenic!

Western gull – I think…

Hoary marmot at Ruby Creek 1 June 2007

Hoardy marmot tracks in the snow

What is it about civic clocks? The Exif data say it was nine-thirty PM.

Nice female ptarmigan

Rememerance at Atlin

Steamboat Mtn and Surprise Lake

Nice common tern

The terrain was just fantastic

View from Atlin