Favorite Photos, 2018

December 29th, 2018 by Carl D

Hey Folks

And so slides by yet another year. They seem to disappear more quickly than ever these days.

I thought I’d toss up a few images from the year. Mostly bears and northern lights as I was pretty busy with those trips this year.

Looking forward to 2019. We have a great bunch of trips we’ll be running.

Without further ado, I’ll throw some pictures up for you. Enjoy.

Before the Aurora

We arrived at our spot early and waited for the aurora to fire up .. and while we were waiting, this happened.

A beautiful evening sky against the arctic Alaskan boreal forest, Alaska.
A beautiful evening sky against the arctic Alaskan boreal forest, Alaska.

Aurora borealis

Good things come to those who wait, eh? This aurora fire up late, and came back again even later. Always something of a treat to see.

Northern Lights fire up over a snow-covered boreal forest in interior Alaska.
Northern Lights fire up over a snow-covered boreal forest in interior Alaska.

Packrafting Nizina

A fun early season trip was packrafting Nizina River, The water levels were not too high, and we had a blast running through the canyons and camping beneath the amazing Mile High Cliffs. One in a million trip.

Packrafting Nizina Lake, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska.
Packrafting Nizina Lake, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska.

Brown Bears

We had a GREAT bunch of trips shooting brown bears this past summer/fall. I spent nearly 6 weeks leading tours and shooting on my own, in some favorite haunts of past years as well as some new locations as well. Awesome year.

  • A large male brown bear really getting after it, fishing for Pink Salmon, Alaska.
    A large male brown bear really getting after it, fishing for Pink Salmon, Alaska.
  • A male brown bear on the tundra is dwarfed by a distant ridge of the Alaska Range in Katmai National Park.
    A male brown bear on the tundra is dwarfed by a distant ridge of the Alaska Range in Katmai National Park.
  • A female brown bear about to snag a salmon on the Katmai Coast. Alaska.
    A female brown bear about to snag a salmon on the Katmai Coast. Alaska.
  • Excitement on the Coast as a brown bear hits top speed chasing salmon through the shallows. Alaska.
    Excitement on the Coast as a brown bear hits top speed chasing salmon through the shallows. Alaska.

Polar Bears

We were lucky to catch some great moments with these amazing animals in 2018. This trip is truly a fantastic opportunity to see and photograph the great Nanuk.

  • A large adult male polar bear patrols the beach of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Alaska.
    A large adult male polar bear patrols the beach of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Alaska.
  • It's always a treat to see the polar bears on ice. This youngster was gingerly testing out the newly formed sea ice on his own.
    It’s always a treat to see the polar bears on ice. This youngster was gingerly testing out the newly formed sea ice on his own.
  • A wide open mouth displays some pretty hefty canines.
    A wide open mouth displays some pretty hefty canines.
  • A young bear, 3 years old, approaches to take a closer look at our group.
    A young bear, 3 years old, approaches to take a closer look at our group.
  • He pulled up, out of the sea, a caribou antler.
    He pulled up, out of the sea, a caribou antler.
  • I thought this image looked a little better converted to Black & White.
    I thought this image looked a little better converted to Black & White.
  • Cub of the Year, or COY. One of the cutest and tiniest little polar bear cubs I've seen.
    Cub of the Year, or COY. One of the cutest and tiniest little polar bear cubs I’ve seen.
  • Sibling of the cub above.
    Sibling of the cub above.
  • These two gorgeous young polar bear cubs put on a heluva show. Great fun to watch.
    These two gorgeous young polar bear cubs put on a helluva show. Great fun to watch.
  • This mother and cub gave us a treat when they headed for this point and we got some really strong images. Awesome scene to photograph.
    This mother and cub gave us a treat when they headed for this point and we got some really strong images. Awesome scene to photograph.

Bald Eagles

A few images from our weeks at Haines in November. Really a fun couple of weeks with some great people and lots of opportunities for bald eagle images. We had a blast.

  • A bald eagles takes off to avoid the talons of an incoming eagle.
    A bald eagles takes off to avoid the talons of an incoming eagle.
  • A bald eagle lands in fresh snow on the riverbank, Chilkat River, Haines, Alaska.
    A bald eagle lands in fresh snow on the riverbank, Chilkat River, Haines, Alaska.
  • A moment. The swirling fog made for a great background and a touch of brighter sky lit the eagle perfectly.
    A moment. The swirling fog made for a great background and a touch of brighter sky lit the eagle perfectly.

I realize it’s a little heavy on the polar bears, lol. They’re just so amazing to photograph. Really, really a beautiful animal.

I’ll try to add a few more images over the next few months from other trips and activities. Packrafting, backpacking, rafting and more .. stay tuned.

In the meantime .. I and all of us here with Expeditions Alaska wish you the very best for the coming New Year. Travel safe, and enjoy.

Cheers

Carl

Expeditions Alaska
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