I waited nearly 4 hours for this moment today. This cow moose has twin calves. After a bit of browsing this morning, they bedded down for a few hours in some tall grass and brush, mostly out of sight. I'd considered throwing in the towel; I was growing hungry and have a number of tasks to accomplish today but when you've got subjects like these with soft, overcast light, sometimes you have to wait in hopes that patience eventually pays off.
Treetop Dining
Here is something you don't see every day - a large black bear 50 feet up a tree eating cottonwood seeds. Black bears are excellent climbers and have claws designed for this as compared to their grizzly cousins, who are more adapt at digging than climbing. Still, it always amazes me to see an animal that is several hundred pounds appear so at ease in a treetop.
Spring Black Bears
I've been seeing a lot of black bears recently, which is typical for this time of year. This is a medium-sized sow that was being followed closely by a very large boar, probably looking to mate with her. Shortly after I took this, they were both charged by a cow moose with twin calves.
Spring in the Valley
Hello and happy Monday, friends! Seems I’ve been wrapped up in some major spring-cleaning and other demanding projects and haven’t posted in a while. In that time, Eagle River Valley has gone from showing the last traces of winter to an explosion of color and wildlife. I’ve been getting out for brief hikes here & there and to catch the last bit of late evening light, but yesterday I met up with a friend and went for a nice 9-mile trek. I was fortunate enough to capture a rare, white calypso orchid while it was still in bloom, spot a couple of black bears, and witness many signs of the oncoming season. The sun is now setting after 11 pm and the valley is full of life. I look forward to chasing more light during the long days ahead.
Colin
Chris Cornell
“Safe outside my gilded cage
With an ounce of pain
I wield a ton of rage
Just like suicide.”
This is a sad say for the music world with the loss of Chris Cornell of Soundgarden in what looks to be an apparent suicide. Often it seems the most talented minds are also the most tormented. He was one of my favorite rockers and vocalists whose music continues to have a big impact on my life.
I saw Soundgarden at the Gorge in Washington in July of 2011 with one of my best friends, Leif Heide. It was a short trip; I flew down from Alaska, met up with Leif in Seattle and drove out to the Gorge for the show, and flew home the next day. The weather was a perfect 80˚ and sunny to see one of my favorite bands of all time. I didn’t think I’d be able to get my digital SLR into the show so I packed light, bringing just a small backpack for the 2-day mission. Fortunately, Leif brought his compact Sony “point & shoot,” which I borrowed to capture some images. It is true that the best camera is the one in your hand at the moment that you need it. Even though I didn’t have a “professional” camera, the Sony proved itself worthy and I came away with a few nice images for memory sake. I’ve been to literally hundreds of concerts over the past few decades and this one ranks right up at the top of the list. Thank you, Chris Cornell, for sharing your gift with us. While I did not know you personally, I mourn your death, as I would not be the same person without your music in my life.
May 8 Auroras, 2016
One year ago today the sky lit up with one of the most vibrant aurora displays I've had the pleasure of witnessing. There was a narrow window in the wee hours where the lights were deep green, purple, and blue against the semi-dark Alaskan spring sky. It was also Mother's Day. With the increasing daylight, the viewing season is drawing to a close. Soon the skies will be too bright to see the aurora again until late summer.
Have a great Monday out there and thank you for following along! Be sure to check out the Mother's Day print specials in my store:
Singed and numbered prints: Mother's Love moose print and Mother's Day Aurora
Catchlight
Several years ago a seasoned photographer taught me that catchlight in your subject’s eyes can make the difference between a meaningful image and mediocrity. This holds true for portraits as well as wildlife.
Yesterday evening there was just the right amount of atmospheric moisture to create a quality of light so superb that the golden hour had a reddish glow. I’d been following the calls of this great horned owl until I finally located it. To my dismay, it was perched on a branch just out of the direct light. When it turned its head to size me up, the last rays of sunlight illuminated its right eye, creating this dramatic pose.
In time for Mothers' Day, new images added to my online store...
Well, it seems this pair of swans has left the valley and moved on to their summer nesting grounds. They were here for an entire month this spring, twice as long as the previous two years. I always look forward to their return and the beautiful opportunities they present; this year being no exception.
Just in time for Mothers' Day, I've added some recent photos (both swans and moose) to my online store. These images would look great on metal and they are available on canvas and high-gloss photo paper as well. Feel free to share!
Cheers,
Colin
Great Horned Owl
Look "who's" hanging around today. I hear these great horned owls every night; this is the first one I've seen in a while.
Have a great Monday out there,
Colin
Moose, Swans, and Moon
Just because the sun goes down doesn’t mean the light is gone. A few nights back I was photographing the swans at sunset when a moose walked onto the scene. I was hoping that the swans and the moose would line up in the frame but that seemed like I was asking for the moon when, lo and behold, the moon showed up too.
I stuck around until the light was too low to continue shooting, watching them feed together - their faces just inches apart at times, possibly foraging the same aquatic vegetation. It made me think, this interspecies harmony could be a lesson for mankind.
Happy Monday, everybody. Have a great week and be peaceful to one another.
Colin
Eagle Peak Sunsets
We've now passed 13 hours of daylight in south central Alaska. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly the season (and the light) changes this time of year. These photos of Eagle Peak at sunset were taken 3 weeks apart. Soon the north face of the mountain (pictured here) will be completely bathed in light as the sun sets on the northern horizon. For comparison, this side of the mountain doesn't get any direct sun during the late fall and winter months. Have a great weekend everybody, get out and chase the light!
Colin
Swans in the Snow
Swans, snow, and solitude. I couldn't have asked for a better day. We had another 7 inches of fresh snow this morning and it is still falling, so I skied out to the swans and spent a few hours of quality time with them. We shared several beautiful moments...
March Aurora
Good morning from Eagle River Valley! We had a nice little aurora display a couple of hours ago, until the clouds rolled in and blocked the view. C'est la vie, it was good while it lasted. Have a good day out there.
Colin
Spring Swans
As anticipated, the trumpeter swans arrived this past week, a few days earlier than usual. Swans mate for life, so I am inclined to believe this is the same pair that I've been observing for the past 3 years. They usually stick around for a couple weeks before moving on to summer nesting grounds to raise their cygnets. The creek here doesn't offer much protection from predators, so this is just a temporary stop on their journey.
March Sunset
The sun set at 8:23 pm this evening in Eagle River Valley, Alaska. We've recently surpassed 12 hours of total daylight, gaining more than 7 hours since the winter solstice. I wasn't the only one out enjoying the last bit of alpenglow on the mountains, this bull moose was feeding in the creek and already sporting a new set of antlers, a sure sign of spring!
Australia Presentation
Mark your calendars!
If you're in the Eagle River/Anchorage/Mat-Su area, next Saturday, March 25 at 7 pm, I will be sharing my photos and adventures from Down Under in a presentation at the Eagle River Nature Center along with fellow Eagle River artist Susan Watkins, who was in Australia around the same time as me last November. My program will focus on the southeast corner of the country, where I took a 6,000 km road trip from Sydney to Adelaide and back. Susan was in Cairns with her husband, Jon, and will be sharing their photos and videos from that part of Australia. The program is free with $5 parking for non-members. I hope to see you there!
Colin
Click the image below for more information
International Women's Day 2017
International Women's Day 2017, "Be Bold for Change." These are some of my most cherished portraits, taken in India in 2013. It was interesting, for better or worse, to witness gender roles and cultural norms in a society that is much different than my own. As a species we have made great strides toward equality, yet it is clear we still have far to go.
Skiing in Eagle River Valley
xEnjoying the beauty in my backyard. One of the best investments I made this past year is this set of Excursion 88 touring skis from Fischer Sports Nordic Ski. With all of the snow we've received this winter and the recent cold temps, I am able to ski on the frozen river and cover much more ground than I could by walking or snowshoeing. I skied approximately 15 miles yesterday with my camera gear on my back and look forward to spending more time exploring as the days ahead bring more and more light back to the valley.
Cold Mornings
Yesterday morning was brisk when I set out on my skis and I wasn’t sure how long I would last. Cold temperatures make for clear skies - we’ve been getting down as low as -15˚F at night and I have not seen a cloud in the sky for several days. Around 9:30 am, the sun made its way over the mountains and onto the valley floor, bringing a warm sense of relief. After the penetrating cold left my face and hands, I decided to keep skiing up the frozen river. Eight hours and approximately 15 miles later, I finally returned home, exhausted after another beautiful day in Eagle River Valley.
My Side of the Mountain
Until very recently, the sun had not shone on these slopes since sometime in mid-autumn. Even if the negative temperatures don’t signal change, spring truly is in the air. Since December 21 of last year, the amount of daylight has literally doubled and we are gaining in leaps and bounds from now until summer, when the pendulum of light will begin to swing the other way again. With the cold, clear skies we’ve had, the evening light on Eagle Peak and surrounding mountains has been pristine.
