So, for my participation in Jim Goldstein’s annual photos of the year presentation, I thought I’d roll along with some of my personal favorites.
The northern lights were fantastic all year, and we had some great opportunities on our trips. Way too much fun shooting these all night long. The great grizzly bears or brown bears of Katmai never ease to amaze, and we had some excellent trips there. Polar bears are always a treat to photograph, as were the bald eagles of Haines and the backcountry trips to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Gates of the Arctic National Park are always special.
And this year, I came closer than ever to photographing a wolverine. Way, way way too close! Maybe next year. 🙂
So, without further ado, here are some images from this year Continue reading…
A mature bald eagle flies right by the camera, wings spread wide as he focuses on the fish in front of him. Click on the image above to view a larger version of the photo.
Hey Folks,
Here’s the final Image of the Month for 2015. a bald eagle from the Chilkat River, near Haines last week. Fun times down there, with a mix of weather, but some good shooting opportunities along the way. The eagles were a little farther out than we’d like them to be, but with a little patience, we’d get a nice photo opp come our way. This is one of my favorites from the trip.
A brown bear sow nurses her year old cub (one of 2) on the sedge grass flats at Hallo Bay, Katmai National Park, Alaska. Please click on the image above to view a larger version of the photo.
Hey Folks,
Here’s an image taken this past summer at Hallo Bay, in Katmai National Park. The sow has 2 cubs, and this one was just finishing nursing from her when I made this photo. The other sibling, a male, had taken his fill already and wandered over to a nearby wood pile to explore and climb around on. There’s always plenty of action at Hallo Bay.
Brown bears will nurse for as long as 2 years, and some even longer. It’s an amazing experience to be so close to, and hear the growling and purring and moaning and all the little noises they make. I once watched 4 cubs nurse at once from their mother, and it was a symphony of different sounds coming from a tangled mess of fur. Pretty cute.
I can’t think of an animal I enjoy photographing as much as bears, be they brown, black, white or other. The grizzlies of interior Alaska, the polar bears of the arctic, the black bears of the forest and lush coastal areas, are just an amazing animal to photograph. They’re often super tolerant of us, and all our frenetic clicking and gasps of excitement over what to them is, I’m sure, often very benign daily behaviors.
Next year I’ll be at Hallo Bay in early August, running the Alaska Brown Bears and Coastal Wildlife Tour in conjunction with Greg Downing and his awesome photography instruction company, Naturescapes. Greg’s an incredible photographer, and I’m really looking forward to working with him once again.
In case you didn’t see it, here’s a video of some incredible action from the year’s tour.
If you’re interested in coming out next summer, hit me or Greg up and have a chat. Katmai’s always a blast and you’re never quite sure what surprises it holds.
Whoops sorry about this. I haven’t posted in a while. Things were pretty hectic since July, and I’ve now got a little bit of down time so I’ll try to make up for that. Instead of posting an Image of the Month for November, I’ll upload a handful of photos, one for August – Nov. So, without further adieu
Part of the Goat Trail hike, the view down Chitistone Canyon, in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Alaska. Please click the image above to view the full size version of this photo.
An adult brown bear feeds on top of a floating whale carcass off the coast of Katmai National Park, Alaska. Please click on the image above to view a larger version of the photo.
Hey Folks
Just back from a great brown bear photo tour to Katmai National Park with some fun folks, where we got to witness some fantastic brown bear viewing and photography opportunities. Absolutely awesome!
This one is from our 2nd last day, where we found a brown bear (or group of brown bears) feeding on a whale carcass. Here, at high tide, the carcass was floating in the bay, and the bears would swim out one at a time (typically) to feed. Often crawling up on top of the carcass made for some fun photo opportunities, which we all made the most of. Good times!
I have the following days set for this tour
2016; July 31 – Aug 6
2017: Aug 1 – 7
Let me know if you are interesting in a trip next year
Guess where this was taken, the route and the valley, and win yourself a cap. Please click on the image above to view a larger version of this photo.
Hey Folks,
Just a quick one to say “Let the Games begin!”.
Backpacking season is upon us again, so soon. I’m definitely looking forward to time in these mountains again, it’s always a blast.
And just to liven things up; anyone who knows where this photo was taken, post your answer below, or on the Facebook page, and the first 3 people to post correct answers will snare themselves an awesome Expeditions Alaska cap. The caveats are
a) You can’t be one of the 3 people in the photo, or their friends/family (no cheating)
b) You need to be specific. The answer “Alaska” doesn’t cut it. Nor does the park name itself. We need some details
c) If you already HAVE an Expeditions Alaska cap, you can’t win another one. 🙂
I’ll give you a hint; the chances are pretty good you’ve never been there.
Partial credit for creative, clever and well-constructed answers.
A photo of a young woman balancing a sea kayak paddle on her head, while sea kayaking in Icy Bay. Paddling under the world’s highest coastal mountain, the person is sea kayaking in Taan Fjord. Sea kayaking in Icy Bay, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Alaska. Please click on the image above to view a larger version of this photo.
Hey Folks,
No prizes for guessing where I’m headed for the start of the summer season! The beach, of course, at Icy Bay, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Funnest place ever! Mt. St. Elias towering above us all in the background!
A younger polar bear sits on his iceberg and watches the developing icepack on the soon to be frozen Beaufort Sea, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska. Please click on the image above to view a larger version of this photo.
Hey Folks,
Been a while since I posted a polar bear photo. I can’t wait to get back to the arctic this fall and see these amazing animals.
This image is one of my favorite polar bears I’ve taken so far. Hope you like it.
And, if you’re looking for a great polar bear photo tour, I’m filling up for 2016, so you might want to touch base and get your name in before this one is full.
The aurora borealis and corona, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska. Please click on the phone above to view a larger version of this photo.
Hey Folks,
As the northern lights season, or aurora borealis season, starts to wind down for those of us here in Alaska, it’s often harder and harder to be motivated to get out yet again and spend the night hoping for some nice displays. Last night I saw the data online looking promising for the northern lights, and the skies here started to clear up a bit, I thought I’d keep an eye skyward.
So after movie-time finished, I checked outside and sure enough, the northern lights were kicking overhead. I grabbed my camera gear, threw on some pants, and headed out.
This shot above is a photo of the aurora borealis corona. I’ve often been asked what the corona is, and why it’s called the corona. No, its not enough the famous song, Muy muy muy muy, Corona, by English punk band The Knack.
I’ll tell you a little known secret. The activity or display we call a “corona” is named for a very simple reason; Continue reading…
