Mark Thiessen

At least it's a pretty snow. About 6 inches overnight, and we could get another foot today in the Anchorage area. Hug your snowblowers today.

Luckily I had cut my breakfast sandwich in two because Pike swiped half of it from my plate when I wasn’t looking. He then had the audacity to expect a bite of my half. #HeIsTallerThanTheTable #MyBigGiantDogPike.

The day every Alaskan looks forward to: the opening of flannel moose season.

Pike taught me something useful today. If a medical professional tells you to get on the scale and you refuse, there’s nothing they can do about it.

Jaywalker!

@mthiessen.bsky.social

Pike put his bear bark to good use this morning @bartaron.bsky.social ‘s video #alaska #malamutesofbluesky

Happy Homemade Runzas Day to all those who celebrate.

Dropped by a cemetery in Bethel, Alaska, today.

Only in Alaska

Good morning from Alaska

Neighborly kindness is different in Alaska. While in Deadhorse on Monday, my colleague and I started walking from the airport to the heart of town for images. A local stopped and insisted he give us a ride. Among the reasons for his insistence? “I don’t want you eaten by a polar bear.”

Just another ho-hum day glancing out your plane window while flying in Alaska #Denali

I’m on assignment this week in Galena, Alaska. There’s been sightings of a female bear with two cubs and another aggressive bear on the outskirts of town. I couldn’t find any bear spray in my AirBnB on my way out for a walk so I improvised my own bear defense. Follow me for more outdoor tips.

I don’t know what the event was at the ice rink at the Anchorage mall today, but I quit watching after about five minutes when I didn’t see one toddler knee-cap a fellow competitor. #TonyaStrong

Pike oddly quiet during today’s brushing.

Malamute in sunlight

@bartaron.bsky.social puts old bread out for the birds. Pike: “No damn bird is getting free bread on my watch.”

No gift in Alaska says “I Love You” more than new cans of bear spray in the spring. Thanks @bartaron.bsky.social!

The aurora has looked a little different this week. #SpringtimeInAlaska #FourthStraightDayOfSnow

Look for a break in the clouds, Anchorage! 4:42 a.m., Saturday

This is why YouTube is such a vital archive, and why variety shows were the bomb. And I hope CBS producers knew what they had on stage 50 years ago when upstarts Bette Midler and Elton John appeared on the “The Cher Show” in 1975.

We went out looking for a bear today along Campbell Airstrip Road, but instead found two moose and a volcano NOT in an eruptive state.

When Pike refuses to move, stares intently and starts emitting a low growl is when I pull out the bear spray.

It’s no eclipse photo, but the clouds opened up a bit to let the moon shine through early this morning over Anchorage.

It’s been a few months since I’ve been able to say this, but it’s snowing outside.

Guess I should have have washed my hands before I got home after petting the reindeer

Springtime with a mouthy Malamute

Obligatory work selfie. Iditarod ceremonial start, downtown Anchorage

Look east, Anchorage! There’s a little bit of aurora action on the east side of town, over the Chugach Mountains. This was taken about 4:30 AM Saturday.

Pike is under the assumption that our morning walks are training sessions for this weekend’s Iditarod. He doesn’t understand that the sled dog race is built for fast Huskies that will cover 1,100 miles in about 10 days. Pike, on the other hand, would meander into Nome sometime around August.

Dear Lower 48, don’t forget to address your thank you cards for your weather to “Alaska 99501.”

Anchorage has received 5.4" snow in the last 3 months. The average for the Nov 16 to Feb 15 period is 45.8". The last two seasons were 73.0" (the chart has some missing data) and 74.9". The latest guidance from the NBM has 0.6" snow over the next 10 days. @alaskawx.bsky.social

As the pilot disembarked, he was greeted by dozens of parka-clad residents, some offering hugs or carrying large hearts cut out of cardboard. It was an affecting scene, and it highlighted just how crucial air service is in rural Alaska communities. apnews.com/article/alas...

Much like the Chiefs, Pike slept through the Super Bowl

Quality family time. We’re in the same room. I’m watching the Super Bowl. Ron, using his earbuds, is watching one of the movies nominated for Best Foreign Language Film. However, I’m supposed to let him know when the commercials come on so he can watch them.

Look up, Anchorage! 4:40 a.m., Saturday

ASSOCIATED PRESS: Mushers and dogs braved a horrific Alaska winter to deliver lifesaving serum 100 years ago https://buff.ly/3PWPTvg? @apnews.com @mthiessen.bsky.social #photojournalism #journalism #photography

Pike, after a 3-mile walk at minus 7 degrees.

#MyBigGiantDogPike is so done with today’s high winds.

A milestone dinner. We celebrated Ron’s birthday early and Jim’s imminent departure from Alaska. By this time tomorrow, Jim will be settling into island life as a retiree and full-time Hawaii resident.

It’s 40° outside, we’re expecting more Chinook winds to make it even warmer overnight, and there’s very little snow left in our yard. Damn right I’m grilling kebabs outside on Jan. 11 in Alaska. 

The northern lights put on quite a show this morning in Anchorage. Pretty awesome way to start the new year!

Every single Alaskan at 3 a.m. looking to see if the aurora is active.

Alaska, you never disappoint. Outtakes from last week’s work trip flying to Yakutat with the Alaska National Guard.

Like a dog with a frozen piece of mystery meat … which he carried, clenched in his jaw, for two miles after finding it on the street. #MyBigGiantDogPike #MalamutesofBluesky

We watched “LA Confidential” tonight, and a couple of scenes were shot at my favorite dive bar in the world, the Frolic Room on Hollywood Boulevard. The first shot is Kevin Spacey from the late ‘90s film, the second is me from last Friday night. He had better lighting.