Lichens and mosses are important indicators of airborne pollutants in the arctic. Since they absorb all the water they need from precipitation, they also absorb POPS - persistant organic pollutants - which help scientists quantify air pollution.
Arctic blackberries (Empetrum nigrum) grow on stems that look a little like miniature evergreen trees. Crowberries are the common name listed in most books, but the locals in northwest Alaska call them blackberries.
A lone gull feather in the company of fall cranberries is a sign that these birds don't just live around boat harbors. This photo was taken near Etivlik Lake in the remote wilderness of Noatak National Preserve.
White feather and red berries on tundra