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Ice fishermen seem to be some of the most resourceful people to use our lake.  They fish in all kinds of miserable weather using their vehicles as temporary shelter.  Some erect portable canvas ice fishing tents and others tow portable wooden huts behind their vehicles to their special spot, taking them home each night.

Almost two weeks ago this beat-up old camper arrived and I wondered if it had been abandoned by someone.  It wouldn’t be the first time a thoughtless person dumped some trash on the frozen ice hoping it would fall to the bottom during spring thaw.  But, on closer inspection, this camper appears to be someones cache for ice fishing.  Peering through the windows I saw the inside stocked with fishing gear.  Unfortunately for these enterprising folks, our lake doesn’t allow for structures to remain for more than two weeks in one place, at then end of this time they must be moved two miles from their last spot which would move it entirely off this lake.

It is hard to find the regulations regarding portable structures on the lake.  These folks called Alaska State Parks and the Mat-Su Borough to find out if there were any codes or rules prohibiting setting up a fishing camp and were told that there were “none”.  They tried to follow the rules.  This lake is governed by the State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and Alaska State Parks and Mat-Su Borough should know this and be able to direct people to the proper source of information.  This is not the first time that I’ve found government entities not communicating with each other, these days it seems more and more common.  The DNR regulates portable camps on state owned lands not governed by any other entity.  Confusing?  Yes.

Anyway, when approached these guys were very nice and will move the camp at the end of two weeks.  They are doing an elderly friend a favor and helping him fish.  Too bad they don’t have one of those nifty portable pop-up fishing tents that most folks use today.  It would make their experience much easier and moving to another hole a piece of cake.  The way they are doing it with the camper is a lot of work.  And, from an artists point of view, an ugly eyesore in this beautiful environment.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska painter

At this time of the year I just can’t stop myself from taking photos of the incredible sunsets that I see from the windows of my studio.  Here is another beauty taken the day after the hurricane force wind storms we experienced earlier last week.  Nature was violent and angry during the wind, gusts were clocked up to 150mph in Wasilla, Alaska, destroying anything that was weak and not tied down.  We had a ten foot section of cedar fence that was hurled intact over 100 feet.  And, just as soon as the angry winds stopped, we were greeted with this tranquil, beautiful sunset smiling across the lake and reflecting in the windows of the studio.  The balance of nature, what an awesome thing to observe.  I am at peace again after the stress of the winds, and ready to resume painting.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska landscape artist

Recently as I was busily working in my studio the sky caught my attention.  This is early afternoon around 3:00PM looking south west.  The lake was empty save a single, tiny, wooden fish house on the distant horizon.  The wind has drifted the snow into patterns, some of the lines of hardened snow are from my vanishing ski trails, others from snow machines.  I’m looking forward to more snow so that I can circumnavigate the shore again on my skis.  Wasilla, Alaska, early January 2010.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska landscape painter

This photo was taken before the 80mph wind gusts began, when it was only gusting to 60mph.  A lone vehicle tried to find a sheltered spot to fish but failed and quickly drove ashore.  We’ve been battered by high winds for days at the studio, the howling noise and power interruptions make it hard for me to concentrate on painting.  I’ve taken to more mundane tasks like counting inventory and replacing light bulbs.  All of this is just part of winter in Alaska, and this too shall pass.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska artist

Observations of an artist; our lake doesn’t have semi permanent ice fishing structures, the portable fishing tents appear and disappear like magic.  One moment the frozen expanse is empty and within minutes tents pop up, people appear with chairs, poles, ice augers, sleds, buckets, and coolers of food.  Most drive their vehicles to the favorite spot, occasionally little troops of folks parade across the snow towing sleds loaded with provisions, but everyone no matter how they arrive settle in to stay for the day.  At dusk the campsites disappear leaving a smoldering log or two, tangled lures and fishing line, and circular holes through the ice that slowly freeze closed.  A fresh snow will hide all evidence, and during spring the debris will quietly sink to the bottom joining archives of relics accumulated through the years.  Life on the lake is always interesting.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska artist

The frozen lake serves as a big playground during winter in Alaska, a great place to walk the dogs, ski, play ball, take a hike, whatever your mood decides.  It extends private space.  Often I find myself walking on the big frozen expanse alone, an occasional duck passing overhead, deep in my own thoughts.  Weekends are busy, ice fishermen with their gear, portable tents, vehicles, snow machines, and bar-be-ques pop up like mushrooms scattered over the frigid surface.  I like to walk or ski during the quiet times when I can observe nature at its best.

Gail Niebrugge, artist

During the recent storm I wasted no time to explore, I am seeking winter subject matter for future paintings. This heavy undisturbed 18″ snow layer will not remain for long. Soon the winds will shift it into piles and blow the tree branches clean, but at the moment it is true magic. I tramped my way on to the lake and began to follow deep ruts created by snow machines soon adjusting to make my own trail. The cold sting in my finger tips vanished as I began to sweat, and whenever I stopped to take a photo my eyeglasses fogged. I was alone, as I scanned the lake I spotted the tiny shape of another skier about a mile away. Perfect. At the island fresh moose tracks meandering in and out of snow laden willows along the shore. I paused and searched hoping the giant ungulate was gone, later I relaxed when I saw tracks crossing to the opposite shore. The landscape will be stunning when the sun comes out, I hope the sun beats the wind.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska artist

Yesterday it snowed all night and day creating a soft fluffy layer burying everything. The yard is decorated with strangely shaped white mounds, loaded tree branches bending, Christmas lights glow melting fuzzy holes in the frigid blanket. A scene from a Yuletide card. When out on the lake there rose such a clatter, I ran to the window to see what was the matter, children all bundled from head to toe, ran helter skelter across the snow, a school day field trip to the lake we must go, all dashing and prancing in the deep snow below, and I heard them shout with excited delight, Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night It’s beginning to look like a white Christmas, that is….. if the wind doesn’t blow.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska artist

Unusual warm, mild temperatures this fall allowed migrating waterfowl the opportunity to spend extra time on our lake where an abundance of feed abounds. These two adult Trumpeter Swans and their five signets spent nearly a week foraging along the shoreline attracting the attention of ducks who benefited from the leftover scraps. This photo was taken from inside my studio where I spend a lot of time watching these beautiful birds swim around our dock very close to shore. It is fun to watch an excited neighbor approach for a close-up photo with camera and big lens, every time someone tries the swans swiftly swim to the middle of the pond. We all keep each other notified of the swans arrival with a telephone “Swan Watch Alert”, just one of the joys of living near the water in Alaska.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska waterfowl artist

The lake is a mirror, calm, unmoving, a surface of glass except for a bubble here and there rising from the bottom and bursting at the top forming tiny circular ripples. The cove is ripe with weeds and fingerling fish, excellent cuisine for waterfowl. Six Trumpeter Swan arrived, four signets and two adults, to rest and feed before resuming their southerly migration. Extending long necks deep into the water they quietly foraged in the cove, then as suddenly as they arrived announcing impending departure with trumpet sounds, giant wings extended, beating the water, gaining forward momentum, the huge birds lifted off into flight creating a frenzy of noise and splashing. Within minutes the cove became silent, tranquil again, with only an occasional bubble breaking the smooth surface as if nothing had ever been there.

Gail Niebrugge, waterfowl artist

During the last week of August Rednecked Grebes gathered on the lake in groups, the young nearly as large as adults, their noisy sounds filled the night air. One morning I noticed they were gone, it happened overnight, and the lake became as silent as it was before they arrived in spring. After a few days I became aware of a single Grebe, swimming alone back and forth from our dock to the remains of the decaying nest. This bird was not aggressive toward the other ducks that frequented the cove, I often saw him feeding and swimming alongside them. Odd behavior, all summer the Grebes attacked any duck within 5′ of shore. Other ducks came, rested, and flew away, yet the Grebe remained until this week. I’ve searched carefully along the shore and across the open water with the spotting scope. No sign. I wonder, did he die? Or did he fly alone to find the others somewhere south, those who migrated more than a month ago. Something makes me want to believe he made it.

Gail Niebrugge, Artist

This time of the year in Alaska sunsets are spectacular and last a long time. Last night I stood for 30 minutes watching the sky change from blue to magenta, silhouettes of flying ducks crossed the sky and the busy muskrat created a zig zag wake in the water along the shore. Once again I stood in awe of the beauty in nature.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska artist

My studio overlooks the lake and contains easels, drafting table, flat files, office and a spotting scope. This wonderful, worn scope was a gift from our children years ago and is used daily. Whenever I take a break from work, my first stop is to check out the lake through the big zoom lens. I’ve watched waterfowl hatch, muskrats build nests, Bald Eagles soar, float planes take off and land narrowly missing unpredictable jet skiers, boats of all kinds some with big loudspeakers creating giant waves drowning fly fishermen floating in one-person tubes. But the best watching of all are the early morning sunrises and evening sunsets.

Lately I’ve noticed increased success among the fishing contingent, towing full stringers of fat trout. I love to fish. We’ve tried to squeeze a few late evening dusk trips into our hectic schedule. So far I’ve been skunked, I haven’t allowed enough time for a good try, but just being on the water at that time of day is refreshing and reward enough. Just before dark most activity has ceased, and a peaceful quiet surrounds the boat as we watch fish surface all around us creating moving, expanding silver rings on the water. Ducks swish, flapping wings overhead moving across the lake to land in the cove, a loon calls. For me this is what fishing is really all about, the experience outdoors on the water immersed in nature, catching a fish is a bonus.

Gail Niebrugge, Pointillism art

Paddling the kayak around the shore of our cove I looked up to see the clouds had lifted revealing the stunning scene of Pioneer Peak covered with a heavy layer of fresh snow. Maybe that is why I’m feeling the scent of winter in the air.

Gail Niebrugge, landscape painter

Termination dust coats nearby peaks the temperature dropped this morning light frost coating plants and grass and foggy steam rises from the cooling lake water. Ducks gather in the cove, hundreds stop briefly and resume flight at night gone in the morning, others follow more and more each day until suddenly none. Summer is done. Daylight growing shorter darkness stealing more light every morning and evening, winter approaches creeping like a stalking tomcat. Today is clear and sunny lighting golden leaves, melting frost creating beautiful breathtaking scenes to behold. Fall in Alaska has no equal. An artists paradise.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska painter

Mother Grebe feeding the one day old chick while the two day old chick watches.  On the lower left the father Grebe forages for food.  We had the pleasure of watching this family grow in the nest that was constructed on a log just ten feet from our dock.  This is the second year the Grebes have chosen this spot.  Another family built a floating nest in the middle of the cove and produced two chicks several weeks ago.  A third couple re-built their nest three times picking very poor locations, the final spot is on a floating “Bird Nesting Area” sign, and is very unstable.  It will be a miracle if the eggs hatch, especially after all the personal watercraft activity during the recent heat wave, and the non-enforcement of the No Wake Zone 100′ from shore.  The other regulation that has been ignored is the 11:00 pm to 8:00 am “quiet time”, partiers have been roaring around in the semi light all night long, yelling and screaming.  I think I prefer the cool rainy time on the lake, instead of the hot days that bring out the drunken, thoughtless idiots.

Gail Niebrugge, wildlife artist

In between thundershowers and hail storms we found a few sunny hours to kayak on the lake with the grandkids.   After several trips dodging Skidoos and water skiers, we explored the island and took a quick dip.  Returning to the dock a mama Mallard and her eight juvenile chicks surprised us when they emerged from the lily patch along the shore.

Summer in Alaska, always fun.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska painter

We were blessed with a visit from one of our long-time friends and his family, Doctor Joe Wier from Iowa.  Bob loaded all that could fit into our  tiny 16′ Lund fishing boat for a tour of the lake.  It was quite a sight, all those people outfitted with bright orange life vests sitting in the little boat loaded to the max as they slowly cruised along the shore.  Everyone had fun, and we enjoyed the visit.  We miss you guys!  Come back soon.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

One evening while I sat on the dock observing the thinning ice pack, wondering when the lake will be ice free, our resident Muskrat made an appearance swimming along the shore in the narrow band of open water.  As busy as ever, he never stops.  Hauling weeds and twigs to the nest, and constantly eating, these creatures are fun to watch.  Later in the evening I saw two Muskrats, so we must have a mating pair.  Maybe we’ll see some babies later in the summer.

More tomorrow,

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Wildlife Artist

Wow, the ice is melting very slow this spring.  We have about 50′ of open water now, and the muddy looking areas in the open water are patches of frozen weeds.  A pair of Mallard ducks have already staked out the shoreline in the woods next to Bob’s frame shop.  I know spring will come, it always does, but I get so anxious it is hard to wait!

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska landscape artist