St Matthew and the Pribilof Islands are floating in the Bering Sea west of mainland Alaska; the Aleutian Islands are part of the chain that extends from the long Alaska Peninsula.
Formed by volcanic action and in a subpolar region, these islands are largely uninhabited by humans – rocky, windy, treeless and wild. Birds and aquatic creatures thriveā¦ along with a few mammals.
St. Paul in the Pribilofs has a small indigenous communityā¦. With some colorful houses that help to brighten the cold and dark days of winter.
Another mammal that calls St Paul home is the northern fur sealā¦.
Dutch Harbor is the largest human settlement in the Aleutians with a population of about 4,300.
It has a thriving fishing industry (think Alaskan king crab and pollock), and a fascinating history as a focus of activity in World War II. Relics of its military history remain.
If you are a student of the era, check out the role the Aleutians played – with the US and Japan grappling on land, sea and air for possession of these distant outposts – and the devastating impact on the indigenous Aleut communities.
Bald eagles love Dutch Harbor and some of the easy pickings near the docks and fisheries.
On a fine day, itās a great place to take a break from the frantic expedition activity.
Another World War II relic – a bomber that could not find its way to the airfield due to inclement weather on Atka Islandā¦ the pilot survived.
A land mammal spotting! A juvenile fox, slurping up tiny fish on the beach as intrepid explorers prepare to wade through surrounding bogs.
Another intricate jellyfish.
Adak Island, where relentless hikers scaled the top of the distant peakā¦..
While others of us chose the road more traveledā¦.
The next posting will be from the high seas of the Pacific!
New Horizons - Alaska to Asia 