Program 369: Aniakchak Alaska; Bird Brains; Japan Inc.

If you had wings, where would you fly? Learn how studying the remarkable intelligence of birds can take you around the world, and even teach us what it means to be human. We'll also hear about an amazing hiking journey across one of Alaska's least-visited wilderness reserves, then get a journalist's view on how Japanese society is coping with its economic pressures.

• Travel writer Christopher Solomon
• Noah Strycker, author of "The Thing With Feathers" (Riverhead Books)
• Mike DeJong, editor-in-chief of EuroBiz Japan
• Japan feature from public radio producer Jake Warga

• Christopher Solomon describes his adventure  in Alaska's Aniakchak National Monument, with photos, in the article "Baked Alaska" in the May 2014 edition of Outside magazine. 
• Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve is the least-visited of the properties managed by the National Park Service. 
• Christopher Solomon's website. 
• Additional articles Chris has written for Outside magazine and for the New York Times.
• Noah Strycker has reviews of his latest book "The Thing with Feathers"  (Riverhead Books), and postings from his hike up the Pacific Coast Trail, from Mexico to Canada.  
• Noah also contributes to Birding magazine.
• Noah notes that Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach, Oregon is one of the best places in the Lower 48 to observe puffins.
• Sploid and Vimeo post videos of starling mumurations. 
• Mike DeJong is editor in chief at Euro Biz Japan magazine.  
• Jake Warga posts photography with more of his public radio travel features.
• Information about the Nakasendo Way from Walk Japan.