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ALL IMAGES ON THIS PAGE ARE COPYRIGHTED AND NOT FOR USE BY ANYONE WITHOUT MY EXPRESS PERMISSION

IMAGES OF ATTU ISLAND
A BIRDING PARADISE

IT WILL NEVER BE DUPLICATED AGAIN BY OUR 3 WEEK TRIPS
No matter how much others may wish or try

Unfortunately those folks going out to Attu for just a few days and not living in the conditions
we slept, ate, and rested in will never have the full experience we did.  Much different
when you cover a great deal more areas and experience spots like Temnac Valley!




A good you tube video of Attu to give you a flavor of what we went thru
for 3 weeks every spring on the island:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inFjuB2MIR4
you may have to copy and paste this URL above into your browser as at times it says it won't connect
This is a great 1 hour 38 minute video of Anchorage to Attu and on the island itself



Now for the pics
Attu_MAP
On this map Attu is shown as "Navy Town, Alaska"

Attu_Alaska_MAP
On this map Attu is shown as "Navy Town, Alaska"
Gives you a 'feel' of how far out from Anchorage
and the Aleutian Islands it is


far western most island is Attu


distances in the Aleutians

ISLANDS GOING WEST TO EAST TOWARD ANCHORAGE
Beginning with Attu Island here are the next few islands

Attu Island (35 mi x 20 mi) - this is the furthest West in the United States and last western most Aleutian Island



moving eastward along the Aleutian Island chain

then Agattu Island


then Alaid Island & Nizki Island


then Shemya Island

then on to Anchorage




On Attu Island







This map shows the South Eastern area of Attu Island


Attu_Alaska_MAP
A map of Attu Island birding areas - specifically the area covered in the
following images extending from the lower left corner (base camp)
although we went further west to Temnac Valley and to
Murder Mountain areas to bird (not shown on map)
to the lower right corner (Alexai Point).



attu_intnlairport.jpg
Welcome to ATTU Island - A Birder's Paradise!
This is the first thing you'll see getting off the
Reever (Reeve Aleutian Airways) aside
from the pristine beauty of the island!!


Runway building several years after Coast Guard left
after Attu Coast Guard abandonment of the island - what it looks like


The following photos are all taken in 1990 or early 1990's on slide film
Approaching_Attu_from_east_Attu_Alaska
Approaching Attu Island, Alaska from the East

East_End_of_Attu_from_air_Attu_Alaska
East end of Attu Island, Alaska

Gilbert_Ridge_from_air_Attu_Alaska
Coming by Gilbert Ridge west of Alexai Point, Attu Island, Alaska

Gilbert_Ridge_from_air_Attu_Alaska
Gilbert Ridge from Air, Attu Island, Alaska

Massacre_Valley_east_Attu_Alaska
East Massacre Valley, Attu Island, Alaska

Massacre_Valley_east_Attu_Alaska
East Massacre Valley, Attu Island, Alaska

Massacre_Valley west_Attu_Alaska
West Massacre Valley, Attu Island, Alaska

Temnac_Valley_from_Air_Attu_Alaska
Temnac Valley from the air, Attu Island, Alaska

Temnac_Valley_west_of_from_air_Attu_Alaska
West of Temnac Valley, Attu Island, Alaska

Temnac_Valley_west_of_from_air_Attu_Alaska
West of Temnac Valley, Attu Island, Alaska


Warehouse_Beach_from_air_and Weston_Mtn_Attu_Alaska
Warehouse Beach with Weston Mountain in background, Attu Island, Alaska

Attu_Runway_Main_Attu_Alaska
Main Runway at Attu Island, Alaska

Attu_Runway_East-West_Attu_Alaska
The "East-West" Runway - Attu Island, Alaska (that structure was removed and not here in 1994)

Reever_Electra_III_Attu_Alaska
Lockheed Electra III landing at Attu Island, Alaska
our transportation to and from Attu each year for those of us who stayed the entire 3 week period

US_Coast_Guard_Station_Attu_Alaska
US Coast Guard Loran Station with Weston Mountain in background, Attu Island, Alaska

US_Coast_Guard_Station_Attu_Alaska
US Coast Guard Loran Station (from runway), Attu Island, Alaska

Loran_Tower_Attu_Alaska
the Loran Tower at US Coast Guard Station, Attu Island, Alaska

Gilbert_Ridge_Attu_Alaska
Gilbert Ridge in background and main runway center, Attu Island, Alaska

War_Debris_Attu_Alaska
just some of the War Debris scattered around the island with some 50 gallon oil drums still leaking, Attu Island, Alaska

Matson_Mats_Attu_Alaska
Piled up Matson Mats (used for temporary runways, etc. - Attu Island, Alaska

War_Debris_Attu_Alaska
Left over war debris - Attu Island, Alaska

Quanset Hut in Navy Town
Quonset Hut - Attu Island, Alaska

Murder_Point_Attu_Alaska
Murder Point - Attu Island, Alaska

Alaid_Island_in_background_w_Loran_Tower_Attu_Alaska
Alaid Island in the distance - Loran Station lower left - Attu Island, Alaska

Alexai_Point_from_air_Attu_Alaska
Alexai Point looking east - Attu Island, Alaska

Alexai_Point_from_air_Attu_Alaska
Alexai Point looking south - Attu Island, Alaska

Alexai_Point_from_air_west_end_Attu_Alaska
Alexai Point southwest point - Attu Island, Alaska

Casco_Cove_Attu_Alaska
Casco Cove looking from Upper Base with Gilbert Ridge in the background - Attu Island, Alaska

Casco_Cove_Attu_Alaska
Casco Cover looking from south of Lower Base with Gilbert Ridge in the background - Attu Island, Alaska

Casco_Cove_Attu_Alaska
Casco Cove from south of Lower Base - Attu Island, Alaska

Road_along_Casco_Cove_Attu_Alaska
Road along Casco Cove leaving Upper Base for areas East - Attu Island, Alaska

Upper-Lower_Base_from_Weston_Mtn_Attu_Alaska
View of Casco Cove with Upper Base (left) and Lower Base (right) - Attu Island, Alaska
taken from up on Weston Mountain

Attu_Scenery_Attu_Alaska
Attu Scenery - just a beautiful place (on a nice day!) with who knows what may show up (rain, sleet, snow?) - Attu Island, Alaska


Prantincole_Beach_Attu_Alaska
Pratincole Beach - Attu Island, Alaska



Attu_Runway_East-West_Attu_Alaska
"East-West" Runway and Casco Cove in background - Attu Island, Alaska

Peaceful_River_Mouth_Attu_Alaska
Peaceful River mouth with Agattu Island in the background - Attu Island, Alaska

Temnac_Valley_all_day_hike_Attu_Alaska
The all day trek to Temnac Valley - Attu Island, Alaska

Hike_to_Temnac_Valley_Attu_Alaska
On the way to Temnac Valley - Attu Island, Alaska

Temnac_Valley_Georges_Creek_Attu_Alaska
The infamous George's Creek crossing on the trek to Temnac Valley - Attu Island, Alaska

Temnac_Valley_entrance_Attu_Alaska
Entrance to Temnac Valley and where White-tailed Eagles loom - Attu Island, Alaska

P38_Crash_Site_Temnac_Valley_Attu_Alaska
Remains of P-38 crash site in Temnac Valley - Attu Island, Alaska

Temnac_Valley_Attu_Alaska
Temnac Valley (my personal favorite place on Attu) - Attu Island, Alaska

If you are up to a full day's hike over snow covered mountains
and a raging creek, the sight you behold while entering this valley
almost (I said almost!) makes you forget you came here to see the
White-tailed Eagle.  To many, this is the most beautiful place on Earth.


Japanese_War_Memorial_Attu_Alaska
Japanese War Memorial for WWII battle fought here - Attu Island, Alaska

Lower_Base_Attu_Alaska
Lower Base sleeping quarters with the only Outhouse on the island to the left - Attu Island, Alaska
(we nicknamed it the "Attu Hilton")

Lower_Base_Attu_Alaska
Lower Base with a storm a coming and who knows what with it - Attu Island, Alaska







Birding by Bike - Attu Island, Alaska


Al Driscoll - Attu Island, Alaska


Sandy Komito (left) - Attu Island, Alaska


Sandy Komito - Attu Island, Alaska
one of my very best friends who I speak to on the phone nearly monthly
and visit with nearly each time over to Florida where Sandy lives now.


Jerry Rosenband - Attu Island, Alaska


Benton Basham - years later after many trips to Attu

Lower_Base_w_bicycles_Attu_Alaska
Lower Base with bicycles (in the days of 3 speed bikes - later finally multi-speed mountain bikes), Attu Island, Alaska
-earlier actually single speed bikes-
Larry Balch standing w/ Coffee Cup near left of photo

Lower_Base_w_bicycles_Attu_Alaska
Lower Base in the days before the "Pig Heaters" which helped a great deal providing a couple hours of heat daily, Attu Island, Alaska




Me on my bike Attu 1991 - Attu Island, Alaska



Me in my room at the Attu Hilton (Attu Island, Alaska)


Attu, Spring 1991 - a few years ago (Me - Second from left in Blue Jacket)
Attu, Spring 1991 - a few years ago (Me - Second from left in Blue Jacket)



David Narins, myself, Sandy Komito (Attu Island, Alaska) - Spring 1993


BJ Rose at Attu, Alaska circa 1991
BJ Rose from Sedalia, Missouri at Attu, Alaska circa early 1990's
Was #1 Photographed Bird Species in the ABA for decades
and now retired and enjoying his dog, Patches
(and my life long buddy!)
BJ passed away June 6th, 2019 and will be very sorely missed
as I feel a huge void in my life and soul now.
I will see you in heaven BJ.


Waiting to go back to Anchorage - Attu Island, Alaska


Waiting to go back to Anchorage - Attu Island, Alaska


Attu_PATCH
The Attu Island Patch for those who've 'experienced' (3 full weeks) the emotions / memories / weather / birding of Attu Island, Alaska
These were REAL trips to Attu, not some boat going out and spending a few days zodiac 'ing on and off the island each day
and not at all covering the extent of Attu that we birded on our 3 week trips each year


Attu Island is the most remote, most westward island in Alaska’s Aleutian chain.
Lying at 538N, 1738E, the island is situated with Anchorage, Alaska 1920 km to the
northeast and the city of Petropavlovsk on the lower Kamchatka Peninsula of Russia
nearly 960 km to the west. The island is 67 km long and 26 km across at its widest
point and includes approximately 400 km2 of land area dominated by high mountains
and largely inaccessible wilderness area. The only roads and habitation are in
the southeast corner of the island where there is a small coast guard station and
runway and a rudimentary road system left over from an abandoned military base.
Attu Island has three major claims to fame: 1) its generally miserable weather, 2)
the bloody battle fought by U.S. troops in 1943 to recapture the island in World
War II, and 3) the remarkably rich mix of Eurasian bird species that can be found
on the island during spring (and fall) migrations.


The story of the capture and take-back of the Aleutian Islands of Attu and Kiska during World War II
is not well-known to most Americans, and few veterans of the fierce three-week-long
battle on Attu in May 1943 remain to tell their stories.
The battle ended in the death of nearly 3,000 Japanese and 529 Americans.


ALL IMAGES ON THIS PAGE ARE COPYRIGHTED AND NOT FOR USE BY ANYONE WITHOUT MY EXPRESS PERMISSION
 


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