Island Byways: Recent Episodes
Pam Foreman
Labor Day weekend in Kodiak means it's time for the Kodiak Rodeo and State Fair. It all kicks off Friday evening and goes through Sunday. Life on Alaska's Emerald Isle!
Subtle changes are afoot as the silver salmon arrive - great sunsets, the supermoon, and the golds of late summer. Life on Alaska's Emerald Isle!
Darker night skies return on Kodiak just in time for the Perseid Meteor showers. Life on Alaska's Emerald Isle!
'Tis the season of pink on Kodiak Island. Summer is quietly moving along as the pink salmon move into the rivers and fireweed blossoms climb higher. Life on Alaska's Emerald Isle.
The seasons of summer are flying by - red salmon, pink salmon, and dolly varden are running, wildflowers are blooming, and tidepools are teeming with life. Life on Alaska's Emerald Isle.
Gray, drizzly, cool days and electric blue clouds - life on Kodiak Island, Alaska's Emerald Isle.
Mother Nature shows us why Kodiak Island has earned the moniker "Emerald Isle". Enjoy the many opportunities for live music this week - and of course, Happy 4th of July!
'Tis the season of purple on Kodiak Island - purple iris, beach peas, and more are in bloom. Baby ravens are making themselves heard in the spruce forests. Life on Alaska's Emerald Isle.
Ho, ho, ho - it's finally summer in Kodiak! Reds are swimming upriver, Dollies are swimming downriver - life is good on Alaska's Emerald Isle.
The greening of Kodiak is in full force, bumble bee food is on the way, and The Ken Peltier Band will be in town later this month. Life on Alaska's Emerald Isle.
Springtime in Kodiak means it's time to clean up, get ready to plant, and do a little whale watching. Luckily, you can do all three this weekend. Life on Alaska's Emerald Isle.
Spring arrives in Kodiak in the form of ravens, eagles, beach grass, bears, and more. Life on Alaska's Emerald Isle.
Torrential rain and wind - springtime in Kodiak! But there's rarely a dull moment on Alaska's Emerald Isle - tune in to see what's going on this week.
A visit to Wisconsin, geese, cranes, turkeys and...whales? Life on Alaska's Kodiak Island and then some.
Snow, fun, and sun are covered in this episode. Plus, where do Kodiak’s puffins go in the winter? What do they do? All this and more - life on Alaska’s Emerald Isle.
March roars in with high winds and cold, ice art, First Friday Art Walks, storytelling, and a play on the mainstage! Never a dull moment on Alaska's Emerald Isle.
Gaining daylight on Kodiak, low tides, and a fond farewell to a great dog. Life on Alaska's Emerald Isle.
Brrrr... a cold week on Alaska's Emerald Isle but we are gaining daylight at almost 5 minutes a day these days. Arts, storytelling, and more...Life on an island in the Gulf of Alaska.
What's that spout off Narrow Cape? And looking at life through the eyes of a puppy. Life on Alaska's Emerald Isle.
Big storm surges combined with big tides? I predict great beach combing ahead! Plus, what's up in Kodiak's night sky? Life on Alaska's Emerald Isle.
Fireworks, resolutions, and a passel of Emperor Geese. Happy New Year from Kodiak Island, Alaska.
The beauty of the island under a blanket of snow, a holiday bazaar, and more. Life on Alaska's Emerald Isle - Kodiak.
Harbor Lights Boat Parade, The Nutcracker, and snow within which to play! Who needs more? Life on Alaska's Emerald Isle.
First Fridays - art, storytelling, lectures, and a concert. Finding quiet in the midst of holiday craziness. Life on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
Time to pack the winter gear and safety equipment when heading out for adventures. And sense of gratitude for the place we live. Life on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
Spooky skits, trick or treating, and a call for storytellers. There's a lot going on in this little community on Alaska's Emerald Isle! And I didn't even talk about the full moon on Saturday - it's called the Hunter's Moon. Hopefully, skies around Kodiak will clear so we get to see the full moon Saturday evening.
Pumpkins, fire trucks, Jupiter, and the Orionids. Living life on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
Chilly fall weather, a partial solar eclipse, and Saturday’s Run the Rock. Life on Alaska’s Kodiak Island.
Quilt shows, autumnal colors and skies, and more. There is much to love about life on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
Colorful Harvest Moon and island music courtesy of Paula Fuga - life on Alaska's Emerald Isle.
September skies, crisp air, bumble bee and hummingbird gardens, and theatre life kicking in gear. Life on this island known as Kodiak is rarely boring.
Labor Day Weekend in Kodiak means it's time for the Rodeo and State Fair! Life on Kodiak Island where ranching has been a thing for a long, long time.
Dark skies are returning, just in time for a blue supermoon! Life on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
Changes and bright things in the night sky, Barbie isn't the only pink thing in town, and anyone up for a little V-ball? Life on an island in the North Pacific.
The pinks are in just in time for the Kid's Salmon Derby; look for the Perseids this week, and more! Life on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
Celebrating some glorious summer weather with hikes, kayaking, and more. Life on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
Changing floral landscapes, the return of a little of the night sky, and a farewell. Meanderings for Alaska’s Kodiak Island.
Pink salmon are starting to show up in the rivers, astronomical twilight returns, and thoughts on emergencies. Life on Alaska's Emerald Isle - Kodiak.
Sunshine visits the island - finally! Where are all the pollinators? All this and more - life on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
Wildflowers in the purple stage, saying good-bye, and more. Life on Kodiak Island in Alaska.
The mountainsides are turning green as summer slowly catches up and 4th of July parades and celebrations abound! Life on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
The Emerald Isle lives up to its name, but blooming wildflowers are few and far between this year. Listen to hear of some you may find in bloom right now. Life on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
Fishing closures, Chinook fishing, the greening of Kodiak and living with bears. Life on Alaska’s Kodiak island.
Fog, flowers, fish, and forums (about bears). How’s that for alliteration? Life on misty, wonderful Kodiak Island.
The sound of summer has returned and some of the color, too. Life on Alaska’s Kodiak Island.
Reflections on a trip to Wisconsin and observations of spring beginning to show up on Kodiak Island. Plus...Crab Festival has begun! Life on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
There’s a season that’s been particularly elusive this year - but it might have finally arrived. Life on Alaska’s Kodiak Island.
Sunny days bring spring dreams. Dreams of fishing, too. Dolly Varden anyone? Musings about life on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
Galley Tables storytelling returns, spring snow, and more....Life on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
Nighttime disappears as days lengthen, lowering the likelihood of seeing the northern lights for a few months. First Friday Art Walk and more - musings about life on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
Variable spring weather still brings changes. Swans for days and an Arts and Adventure Auction. Life on Alaska's Kodiak Island!
Chasing the lights...Northern Lights, that is; springtime ducks and more...Life on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
Mother Nature gets the last laugh and a thing called the equilux on Saturday. Life on Alaska’s Kodiak Island.
Springtime in Kodiak and what IS that in the sky? Life on (and above) Alaska's Kodiak Island.
Solar cycles, amazing aurora, and the opening weekend of Chicago. Life on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
A little about the stars in the sky and in community theatre. Life on Alaska's Kodiak Island!
The Great Backyard Birdcount is this weekend - find out how to participate. And it's silent online auction time. Let the bidding begin! Life on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
Who knows what the wind might blow in? All about the beautiful Steller’s Eiders and more! Life on Alaska’s Kodiak Island.
How to find Comet E3, fish frys, art, and livin' the dream...Life on Alaska's Emerald Isle.
Using dark winter days to plan and repair gear. Life on Alaska's, currently very wet, Kodiak Island.
Starting off the new year with a full moon and maybe a comet. Tune in for musings and observations about life on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
Exploring new landscapes formed by high tides and storms; meteor showers and more. Life on Alaska’s Kodiak Island.
Moonlit walks during low tide, trails, holiday markets and more....life on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
Colorful beaches after the storms and storytelling traditions. Life on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
Finding Mars and Jupiter in the night sky; storytelling and theatre productions. Life on Alaska’s Kodiak Island.
Jupiter in the evening sky, viewing the total lunar eclipse, and more! Life on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
Birding in the wake of a storm, orcas visit the waterfront, and the Taurid Meteor Shower. Life on Alaska’s Kodiak Island.
Termination dust makes an appearance on Kodiak and fishing switches gears slowly, but surely. Autumn on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
Dolly Varden - the prettiest fish? And the usefulness of headlamps and headlights. Life on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
Autumn is in the air, coho salmon are still biting...sometimes. Life on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
The swans are back on Mission Lake - autumn must be here! And a little about the difference between Equinox and Equilux. Life on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
Autumn has arrived on Kodiak, Mars showing off in the night sky, and more. Life on Alaska’s Kodiak Island.
The gradual change from summer to fall has officially begun. Life on Alaska’s Kodiak Island.
What's so special about our night skies this week? Find out on this week's edition of Island Byways. Life on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
Rainy, rainy days. What do sunspots have to do with the aurora? All this and more on this week's edition of Island Byways. A little podcast about life on Kodiak Island.
Nighttime returns to Kodiak just in time for some exceptional later summer stargazing. And music, music, music! Catch one of two concerts this weekend. Or, what the heck, catch them both! Life on Alaska's Emerald Isle.
Spyhopping, tail-slapping whales, kids and pink salmon, and kids and dog training. A little slice of life on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
Bats! The Little Brown Bat to be exact. Learn a little about our indigenous bat and hear how you can learn more by participating in some citizen science. Life on Kodiak Island in the Gulf of Alaska.
The Emerald Isle is showing off its true colors and how about that Dolly? (It's a trout.) Life on Alaska's Kodiak Island!
Summertime - minus tides, anemones, hermit crabs, and sea stars! Fun times on Alaska's Emerald Isle.
Monkey flowers and a special treat after sunset - noctilucent clouds. Life on...and above...Alaska's Kodiak Island.
There's a music-filled holiday weekend ahead for island residents. Life on Alaska's Emerald Isle.
Purple everywhere can see - the wildflowers are kicking into gear. Plus birds and boats…life on r Alaska’s Kodiak Island.
It's Crab Festival time in Kodiak - food, music, fun, fish, and crab! Plus, a nesting Arctic and Aleutian Tern colony, shorebirds, and more. Life on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
The advance of the dandelion, spring bird migrations, and David Sedaris in Kodiak? All this and more...life on an island in the North Pacific.
Kodiak moves into the twilight zone for the next few months. Wait...what? Life on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
Blustery winds and eagles in flight and the gradual appearance of spring. Life on an island in the Gulf of Alaska
Eagles and ravens are busy getting ready for nesting season in Alaska. Life on Kodiak Island in the north Pacific.
No April Fools' jokes here! Spring migrations are underway - islanders are still awaiting the gray whales which will pass by on their way west and north to their summer feeding grounds. Life is good on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
Typical storms and snow accompany the Spring Equinox. And what is an equilux, anyway? Life on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
Life is grand on the island - especially if you are a duck! Lots of rain and lots of birds showing up in local waters and along the shoreline. Life on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
Blustery days and things not always being what they seem on Alaska's Emerald Isle - Kodiak Island.
Celebrating the extended daylight into the evening hours, counting birds for the Great Backyard Bird Count and more...Life on Kodiak Island in the Gulf of Alaska.
The freeze-thaw cycle continues! Steller's Eiders and getting ready for the Great Backyard Bird Count. LIfe on Kodiak Island in the North Pacific.
Nature's slushy, gaining daylight, and a little light for the night. Snippets of life on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
Eagles, orcas, otters, eiders, and weather that is variable...that's life on Kodiak Island in the Gulf of Alaska.
How do you tell if the moon is waxing or waning? What does that mean anyway? A small glimpse of life on Alaska’s Kodiak Island.
Chinook winds, holiday wishes, and the great outdoors. Life on Kodiak Island in the North Pacific. Merry Christmas!
Countdown to the Winter Solstice and skating with Santa. Life on an island in the North Pacific.
Chilly weather and the return to live theatre in Kodiak. Life on an island in the North Pacific.
A partial eclipse, a little Jupiter and Saturn action, and SNOW! Winter on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
The Aurora Borealis put on quite a show on Wednesday night and early Thursday. Why was the intensity of this show unusual? What causes aurora anyway? Life, under the lights, on Kodiak Island in the North Pacific.
Pumpkin parades, Trick or Treating, and ZOMBIES on stage! A ghoulish and stormy weekend on Kodiak. Life on an island in the North Pacific.
Stormy weather and the approach of winter. Harvest festivals and more...life on Kodiak Island in Alaska.
Frosty mornings. orcas in the channel in front of town, and night lights in the sky. Life on an Alaskan island in the North Pacific.
Hiking the alpine or gazing at the stars, October is a beautiful month, day or night, on the Emerald Isle of the north Pacific.
100-year-old volcanic ash, fresh snow, and the Draconids - all part of a day in the life on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
Autumn blows in like a lion, the colors of the spruce forest, and more about life on an island in the North Pacific.
The Autumnal Equinox is just around the corner and Kodiak's colors are showing off. A little glimpse of life on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
The fog-enshrouded Emerald Isle creates mystical landscapes. The Kodiak Rodeo and more - news from Kodiak Island in the North Pacific.
Autumn is in the air and days are getting shorter, but there are plenty of opportunities yet for hiking, fishing, and more. Plus, reflections on 22 years of producing Island Byways. Life on the island of Kodiak.
Enjoying the magic of summer, birding among the seaweed, and more! Life on Alaska's Kodiak Island in the North Pacific.
Subtle changes in color as summer begins to fade to fall; pink salmon, sockeye, and coho in the rivers - bears, too! Snippets of life on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
Meteor showers, fin whales near shore, pink salmon, and more make August a special time in Kodiak. News about life on an island in the North Pacific.
Ferns and roses - an island in bloom. Little glimpses of life on Kodiak Island in the Gulf of Alaska.
Summer heat has arrived in Kodiak! While locals are trying to stay cool in the heat, things are glowing in the mesosphere. Noctilucent clouds, the highest altitude clouds we have, can be seen in upper latitudes in summer. Listen here to learn more about these magic clouds.
The island is covered in fields full of majestic lupin - go wandering! And if you are wandering in the Monashka Bay or Spruce Cape area, keep your eyes and ears peeled for humpback whales. Life on an island in the North Pacific!
The incredible season of green has arrived on Alaska's Emerald Isle, young ravens are making noise, and little birds are everywhere. Just some of the rich, lush life on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
Summer solstice - a bittersweet moment in northern latitudes. Chocolate lilies, lupin, shooting stars and more are showing up in the wildflower world - in spite of the wet weather. Life on an island in the Gulf of Alaska.
How many shades of green are there? The lush landscape of Kodiak Island seems to have an unending variety of shades. Life on an island in the Gulf of Alaska.
The Crab Festival is over, fisherman are headed out to sea or their set-net sites very soon, and the snow is melting from the mountaintops. Summer has apparently started on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
The magic of whales and Kodiak's Crab Festival - happening this weekend. Life on an island in the North Pacific!
The Super Moon, a lunar eclipse, and....cows? Life on Kodiak Island in the North Pacific.
Big storms and strong winds often bring unusual birds to our shores. There are lots of swans in the area now - visiting Mission and Potato Patch Lakes in town and Kalsin Pond further out the road. Spring is slowly appearing on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
Kodiak Marine Science Symposium (KAMSS) is just around the corner - a great opportunity for the community to learn about the marine research going on around us. Ranging from fisheries and climate research to birds and archaeology, there's something for everyone at KAMSS 2021.
And...where have all the ravens gone? Life on Kodiak Island in Alaska.
The birds think it is spring, the beach grass thinks it's spring...maybe it is Spring! Plus, birding workshops coming up at Kodiak College. Life on an island in the Gulf of Alaska.
12 glorious hours of daylight and climbing! The difference between the Equilux and Vernal Equinox and more. Observations about life on an island in the Gulf of Alaska.
Outdoor film festivals, cold temps, and gazing at the Milky Way - life on Kodiak Island in the Gulf of Alaska.
Spring migrants, Jupiter and Saturn showing off just before dawn, and beautiful Emperor Geese gracing Middle Bay, Gibson's Cove, and Womens Bay. Life on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
Wacky weather days, eiders of the Steller variety, and more about life on an island in the Gulf of Alaska.
We're gaining daylight at a little under 5 minutes a day now - extra time to enjoy the outdoors on a beautiful island in the North Pacific.
Loving the characters of Kodiak this week. It is Valentine's, after all. A little show about life on an island called Kodiak.
Golden-crowned kinglets, owls, herons - more birds than you can shake a stick at on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
Lunchbreak birding brings a plethora of ducks into view and the beautiful Steller's Eider is a special treat. Life on Alaska's Kodiak Island in the North Pacific.
Staying safe while backcountry skiing, snowboarding, etc. after fresh snow, an upcoming storytelling event, and comments are due by January 31st on the Pacific Spaceport Master Plan 2020 -2030. You can find the plan at akaerospace.com/spaceports.
Life is rarely dull on this Alaskan island in the North Pacific.
Some reflections on a tumultuous, historic week. Life on an island in the North Pacific.
Saying goodbye to 2020 and looking forward to the year ahead. Learning to enjoy time rather than wishing it away. Thoughts from an Alaskan island in the North Pacific.
All Alaskans look forward to the winter solstice when we begin to gain daylight. Kodiak celebrates with the rest of the state with the Harbor Lights Festival and Parade and the Light the Rock Holiday Home Lights Tour. Winter Solstice on a little island in the North Pacific.
Watching the Geminids, learning about the winter birds of Kodiak, and a special holiday retrospective concert by Isle Bells. Life on Kodiak Island.
Let the decorating begin...oh wait! It has already begun. Many of us on the island are anxious to add some light to the holiday season - perhaps a little earlier than usual. Right on cue, the full moon lights our night sky next week, too. Life on Kodiak Island.
Blustery November weather, looking for Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, Mercury, and Mars in the night (or morning) sky. Life on Kodiak Island.
Stories are the fabric of cultures worldwide - including Kodiak. Learn about Galley Tables, a local storytelling event and how you can participate in a nationwide story gathering effort over the holidays. Life on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
The Taurids meteor shower, finding the North Star, and the American Dipper. Exploring the celestial and things terra firma on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
A pumpkin parade, a relatively unusual full moon, and familiar celestial sights. Life on Kodiak Island in Alaska.
Stormy seas, blustery days, a Galley Tables storytelling event, and a visit by a pod of killer whales. A busy week on Alaska's largest island, Kodiak.
(Trivia tidbit: Kodiak is the second-largest island in the US - second only to our neighbor to the south, Hawaii.)
Big tides, changeable weather, and the Orionid Meteor Shower are all topics on this week's edition of Island Byways. A little show about life on an island in the North Pacific.
Salmon in the Circle of Life, storms bring much-needed rain to the rivers and streams where coho salmon patiently wait their turn to head upstream to spawn.
Autumn is beginning to show her colors and the landscapes, miniature and otherwise, are a photographer's dream.
Remembering 9/11 and celebrating the good in your life. Life on an island in the North Pacific.
Labor Day weekend means some extra time for salmon fishing here on the island. Pink salmon are rushing upstream but the silvers are only trickling in - perhaps waiting offshore for the pinks to get out of their way. Life on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
We finally get some much-needed rain and, as expected, the pink salmon that have been hovering offshore rushed upstream to spawn as soon as there was enough water to make the attempt. Life on Kodiak Island in the North Pacific.
An unusual Kodiak Crab Festival in an unusual year! Sportfishing for salmon pickups, for humans and bears. Life on Kodiak Island in Alaska.
Salmon fishing is picking up on the Buskin River just in time for the Kids' Pink Salmon Derby. Now is the time to be bear aware when on the trails - make noise, carry an air horn or bear spray, and pay attention. Life on Kodiak Island in the North Pacific.
Berry picking, fishing, watching young birds, seeing young bears learn to fish, and the Perseids! Life on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
The accessibility of the great outdoors, combined with the pressures of a pandemic means many of us on Kodiak are outside as much and as often as possible. Be a good neighbor and Leave No Trace when you are out exploring - and don't forget your bear spray! Life on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
A late-night tsunami warning kept our hearts pumping this week. The threat of natural disasters has a way of making you realize what's important and, sometimes, of how poorly we are prepared to "grab and go" in an emergency. An exciting week on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
Our night skies have been graced with a beautiful moon, Mars, the comet NEOWISE and magical, electric-blue noctilucent clouds! Life on an island called Kodiak.
Wild roses decorate the hillsides, the meadows are full of wildflowers, and the comet NEOWISE is gracing the night sky these days. Life on Alaska's Kodiak Island.
Gorgeous sunsets and sunrises, courtesy of Siberian wildfires. Life on an island in the North Pacific.
Birds, bees...pollinators galore on the island this time of year. Hiking is great and the humpback whales have been hanging around. Tune in to hear about life on Kodiak Island.
The annual greening of Kodiak Island. There's a reason Kodiak is known as the Emerald Isle in the North Pacific - there's nothing quite like the variety and sheer quantity of green you will find here in June each year.
Migration season is in full swing! From birds to gray whales - you never know what you might find on a walk on the beach or on a trail through the forest. And what's all this about pishing? Springtime on Kodiak Island.
It's the perfect time of year to get out and admire all the little things - tiny plants at your feet, small birds above your head, tiny buds on the trees. This island is about to burst with new life. Get out, take a big breath of fresh air, and take a look around you. Life on an island in the North Pacific.