Often considered the 'smallest desert in the world', the Carcross Desert on the South Klondike Highway in the Yukon (60° North Latitude) covers about one square mile, 2.6 square kilometers. Sand dune remnants of the last glacial period, and in the 'rain shadow' of the surrounding mountains, it is appreciably drier climate than the surrounding area.

Constantly being fed with new sand and silt from winds blowing over shrinking nearby Lake Bennett, (another remnant of the last glacial ice age) this little wonder of the Yukon hosts a few varieties of rare and endangered plants not found in other areas.

Tags:   Carcross Desert Carcross Yukon Territory Canada South Klondike Highway

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Yukon elk (Cervus canadensis) are not indigenous to this area, but have been transplanted by the Canadian government from Elk Island National Park in the province of Alberta.

Not everyone is happy about their success, notably the farmers of the area. The free-roaming elk damage their fences and crops, and possibly carry parasites that are expensive to manage.

Every year, we see a few more than the previous year, along the Alaska Highway northwest of Whitehorse, in the Takhini area.

Tags:   Yukon Territory Alaska Highway Elk

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This seasonal pond is drying up before it's winter ice completely thaws. This happens sometimes, when winter snowfall is low and spring water melt is scant.

Just before 5 a.m. on a bright spring morning.

Tags:   Cathedral Mountains spring pond

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Approaching Skagway Alaska, aboard the AK state Ferry MV Columbia, going north from Juneau into the Chilkoot Inlet, then into Taiya Inlet.

Tags:   Columbia Skagway Juneau Lynn Canal

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Not a wild one, this is in my garden.

Tags:   flower

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