Moose Photo Safaris

Happy Wednesday out there, everyone! I've had a busy and successful week guiding moose photo safaris for Alaska Photo Treks (so much that I skipped the auroras Monday night after leading an evening tour followed by an early start the next morning).

These are some of my favorite images from this week's guiding adventures. Please check out www.alaskaphototreks.com if you are interested in experiencing Alaskan scenery, wildlife, or aurora borealis with local expertise!

Also, if you are in the area, I am teaching a "Storytelling with Photography" class this Sunday afternoon from 1 - 4 pm at the Eagle River Nature Center. What stories can you piece together from the photos here? Everyone will have an individual response just like every person has their own unique story to tell. You can register here: https://www.ernc.org/public-programs.html

As always, thank you for following...

Colin

 

AlaskaWILD 2023

Hello everyone,

I was honored to have two images selected to the 2023 AlaskaWILD traveling exhibition with the Alaska Society of Outdoor and Nature Photographers. The show is currently at Jitters Coffee in Eagle River, AK - if you are in the neighborhood, stop by for a coffee and vote for your favorite photo!

Both of these images are featured in my "Seasons of the Nature Center" book and 2024 calendar, which are available on my website. I am also offering 10% off metal prints from my website through 2024 with the purchase of a book: https://www.colintyler.com/online-store

The books are starting to show up in local retailers as well, including Anchorage Barnes & Noble. All mail orders have been shipped, so if yours has not arrived, it is en route. I've now sold more than 500 books and there are roughly 100 calendars remaining, signed & numbered 1-500.

Have a great weekend and thank you for following!

Colin

 

Bull moose near the Rodak Trail, Eagle River Nature Center, AK

Trumpeter swan sleeping, Eagle River Nature Center, AK

Christmas Moose

Christmas Moose.

Hope everyone had a nice holiday! I was able to get outside to capture some moose photos in the deep snow (we still have close to 30" on the ground). This was one of three bulls that were feeding together and as you can see, he had a branch stuck in his headgear that wouldn't fall off. Two bulls still had their antlers and one had already shed his for the season.

Thank you to everyone who has pre-ordered copies of my upcoming limited edition book, "Seasons of the Nature Center" (cover photo in first comment). The orders keep coming in and my end-of-year goal is now 200 books! Cost is $30 + $10 shipping: https://www.colintyler.com/online-store/seasons-of-the-nature-center-book

I created a separate link for those in Southcentral Alaska who would like to arrange to get their books in person and skip the shipping fee: https://www.colintyler.com/online-store/seasons-of-the-nature-center

For those in the area who have already ordered and paid for shipping, I will gladly deliver your books to you in person.

Thank you,

Colin

 
 
 

My First Book - "Seasons of the Nature Center"

Hello Friends,

I have a couple of big announcements...

First, I have lived and worked at the Eagle River Nature Center in Alaska since October of 2014, serving as a resident volunteer and later, Assistant Operations Manager. What was supposed to be a winter stay turned into nearly a decade of residence. I could not ask for a better place to reside, work, and grow as an artist. The staff has been very supportive of my career and more than understanding of my travel schedule in recent years, which allowed me to develop a successful international photo tour company with my good friend and colleague, Mike Haring. Next year's schedule looks to be even busier as we continue to add new destinations to the Nat Expo Tours itinerary, and other opportunities are presenting themselves as well, so it is with bittersweet emotions that I will be departing from my home and position at the Nature Center after April 2023.

Next, as a tribute to this place I have called home for more than eight years, I have embarked on one of the most ambitious and exciting projects of my career thus far - my first book!

"Seasons of the Nature Center, A Photographic Journey of Seasonal Transitions at the Eagle River Nature Center” will comprise more than 100 pages of my favorite photos in a 9x12" limited-edition coffee table book. I am doing much of the design and text in collaboration with a local publisher, with contributions from two very talented Alaskan authors. The foreword was written by New York Times Bestselling Author, Kaylene Johnson-Sullivan, author of "Canyons and Ice, The Wilderness Travels of Dick Griffith." My bio was written by Chris Forbes Lundgren (Alaska Adventure Books), author of "Accidental Adventures Alaska, True Tales of Ordinary People Facing Danger in the Wilderness."

With that being said, I would also like to announce that you can help fund this project and pre-order a signed copy of "Seasons of the Nature Center" today! I am now taking orders ($30 for the book + $10 shipping): https://www.colintyler.com/online-store/seasons-of-the-nature-center-book

I will have the books in hand by spring/early summer 2023 and send them out at that time.

Thank you for following along, supporting my journeys, and helping to make this dream project a reality!


Colin  

 

The cover of my upcoming book, now available for pre-purchase…

Eagle River Nature Center's 25th Anniversary Fundraiser Gala

Hello Everyone,

I hope you’re having a great Monday out there! Hey I wanted to share a big event coming up at the Eagle River Nature Center this weekend. On Saturday, Sept. 18, we will be hosting our annual benefit auction and this year it will be held on the Nature Center grounds. This also marks the 25th Anniversary of the Friends of Eagle River Nature Center organization (I have gratefully resided here for 7 of those years). Tickets are available for the event: https://event.auctria.com/c5dfbb53-8ecf-4be0-bd1c-385f813ad60f/

Food and beverages are included, and there will be a number of great items to bid on during the live auction, including a 36x24” metal print of this moose image.

There is also an online silent auction where you can currently view and bid on items: https://event.auctria.com/.../a780d600ec2e11e9ae081db8308...

We’d love for you to celebrate this milestone with us and support a wonderful organization!

Thank you,

Colin

Bull Moose at the Eagle River Nature Center, June 2021

Bull Moose at the Eagle River Nature Center, June 2021

Bull Moose in the Chugach Mountains

It certainly has been a productive week for wildlife photography! Yesterday I decided to visit another area in hopes of finding moose. I bumped into an old friend/photographer and this beautiful bull moved into position for us in the last bit of afternoon light as the sun was skirting the top of a mountain across the valley.

I would also like to point out that this bull was bedded down next to a cow for nearly two hours while we waited patiently from a good distance for them to move. In that time, they were roused three times by unleashed dogs, the final one lasting for several minutes while the owner clearly had no control over the situation as the dog was aggressively approaching the bull. Both moose charged out of the brush, at which point we quickly retreated behind a group of trees until the situation was calm and the dog was finally leashed. Leashes are required in some areas but when they're not it is up to the owner to maintain control of their dog. Not only were these animals harassed while they were resting, it also put the dog, the owner, and everyone else in the vicinity in immediate danger. This wasn't the first time this has happened and likely won't be the last, but if I can persuade just one dog owner to take responsibility then my message will not have been in vain.

Thank you,

Colin

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Autumn Bull Moose

Bull moose in fall colors, taken recently on a crisp, sunny morning. This is a healthy bull going into his prime years and next year his antlers will likely grow even larger.

Hey if you or anyone you know is interested in sharpening their camera skills, I have just one spot left in this weekend's "Intermediate Wildlife Photography Class" at the Eagle River Nature Center (Alaska). There will be a Zoom class Friday evening followed by 3-hour individual lessons throughout the weekend. Cost is $85, more details and registration here: https://www.ernc.org/courses/intermediate-wildlife-photography?fbclid=IwAR17nEwWRXVWLYasWBB2eEyZrWmh-2QiU75ERPtamHIGMudmFxMqYhYeSMI

Thank you and feel free to share!

Colin

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Timing and Perspective

This is one of two local bull moose I've been watching and photographing this season and I recently captured an intense moment while it was feeding. The pose appears intimidating, though it was really just a matter of timing and being eye-level with my subject that I was able to come away with this image in the brief moment that he raised his head and moved positions. So I guess one could say that sometimes both timing and perspective are everything.

Have a great day out there and thank you for following along!

Colin

Image taken with Nikon D850.

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Moose Monday

Moose Monday was productive! This is one of two large bulls that I photographed - it seemed he was in the mood for love while the cow definitely was not.

On another note, I will be sharing the details for my 2020 Iceland Photo Tour in the coming days, so stay tuned for that...

Thank you for following along,

Colin

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Moose Eating Fireweed

Good morning and Happy Monday out there, friends! I did some guiding over the weekend for a nice couple from Texas. They wanted to photograph wildlife and hadn't seen a moose yet, so our mission was to find Alaska's pervasive ungulate and I can say with confidence that my clients were quite thrilled with what we found, as was I…

Have a great week and thank you for following along!


Colin

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Moose Calves

Well, salmon fishing wasn't great and the river was far too crowded for my likes but on the other hand, the moose photography was very productive! I spent over an hour with these twins and their mother near Cooper Landing. As much as I was hoping for fresh salmon, I still have time to fill my freezer before summer's end while these moose calves only stay small and cute for a short time.

Colin

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Moose Monday

Hello everyone. It's Moose Monday!

This guy has been making a splash in local ponds recently. He is one of at least 3 bulls that I've seen in the area in the past few weeks. As their diet changes in the spring, so does the shape and consistency of their droppings and for this reason, is often mistaken for bear scat, which there is also an abundance of right now.

Colin

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More Moose on the Road...

Following up on my post from two days ago regarding moose on the roadways, this morning was another reminder when a cow with two newborn calves were trying to cross the Eagle River Road. The calves either weren't able or weren't willing to make it over the guardrail, so mom kept going back to try convince them to follow her. Cars were stopped for several minutes in both directions until two vehicles pushed ahead, forcing the cow to step back over the guardrail to be with her calves, only to return to the road after they passed.

Before I left she had stepped off the road to be closer to her calves, so I was able to pass by without causing them to retreat. I understand being in a hurry, but unless it's an emergency, please allow wildlife to safely cross the roadways, especially the newborns.

Thank you and have a great weekend!

Colin

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Local Bull Moose

This is one of 3 large bull moose that we've seen around the Nature Center recently. Soon their antlers will stop growing, the velvet covering will be shed, and their temperament will be less friendly when the rut (mating season) begins. Rut-crazed bulls take no prisoners when it comes to charming a potential mate and discouraging any perceived competition, which can include other bulls, people, even cars and trains. Rivals are usually met with a chase and possible head-on collision from their massive antlers, so keep a heads-up approach when hiking and maybe see if your auto insurance has a rider policy for rutting moose!

Colin

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Mother's Day Print Sale

Hello and Happy May Day, friends! Mother’s Day is soon approaching and it’s not too late to order Mom special prints for her special day. I still have a few signed & numbered original artist proofs of Mother’s Love (cow moose & twin calves) and Mother’s Day Aurora (taken May 8, 2016) available for $75 each, or get the pair for $125 AND I will include a 2019 Aurora Borealis calendar as well – my photo is on the month of March, which I will sign for you, although it was also taken on Mother’s Day, May 8, 2016. Order today and they will be in the mail tomorrow! Follow the link to purchase: http://www.colintyler.com/online-store/combined-limited-first-edition-ten-signed-and-numbered-12x18-prints

Cheers,

Colin

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