This Baby Taylor guitar is well traveled. I picked it up in 2013 before I embarked on my journey to Southeast Asia & India. So far it's been played in seven countries outside the US (Japan, Thailand, Cambodia, India, Fiji, New Zealand, and Australia) and four states (Alaska, California, Oregon, and Hawaii). It is the perfect travel companion - always there for me when I have some down time or just need to be creative.
Crater Lake was the final stop on my road trip through Oregon and this will be a jam space to remember. I found a little spot to pull over and get away from the crowds, rolled out my yoga mat on a picnic table, loosened up and then played my guitar on the rim of the crater, looking down over the blue water thousands of feet below me. This has been whirlwind trip that began with no real itinerary or plan. I just went with the flow, followed the sunny skies, and trusted my instincts. I got a few nice shots, saw many amazing sights and made a new friend along the way but this two hour period of solitude and quality time with my guitar was where I finally found my moment of Zen.
Yesterday's theme was solitude. I spent the entire day hiking in Eagle River Valley without another soul around. Snow fell throughout the day, adding to my peaceful surroundings. Pictured here is Dew Lake, where I stopped on my way to search for another lake a few miles further back and across the river. I found the hidden lake, or Knob Lake, as it's named on local maps. It's a location I will revisit when the time is right, or if I just need a bit of solitude.
Colin
Even though it's 4-20 it doesn't look like the temperature will get very high today. I woke up to a couple inches of fresh snow and more is on the way.
Have a great Saturday out there!
Colin
We have officially passed 14 hours of daylight in Southcentral Alaska! Less than three months ago, the sun did not rise above these mountains; soon they will be glowing in the evening sun until almost midnight.
Have a great Monday out there and thank you for following along!
Colin
www.colintyler.com
Well the last day of winter brought us an inch of fresh snow followed by a break in the clouds - a nice change from the grey days we've had recently. Let's see what the first day of spring has in store.
Happy Vernal Equinox to those north of the equator and Happy Autmnal Equinox to those in the Southern Hemisphere!
Colin
One thing about these cold snaps, they sure make for a peaceful winter scene. We're gaining over two minutes of light each day now and soon the sun will return to this part of the valley, a welcome relief after being in the shade since late November.
And with the New Year came a new camera body. This image was taken with my new Nikon D850! I am happy to add this to my arsenal, although 60 MB files will force me to be more selective when shooting or my hard drive is going to fill quickly...
Happy Tuesday!
Colin
Today marks the moment that the pendulum swings back toward the light, gradually bringing longer days to the Northern Hemisphere. This image was created last year on this date. I've been watching the sky this morning in hopes of another colorful sunrise to bring in the season but alas, it is not to be. Nevertheless, I was able to honor the darkness and return of the light at one my favorite places last night, Namaste North Yoga Studio, by performing a total of 108 sun salutations, alternating in all four directions. My body is sore today but my spirit is strong. This is my New Year. This is my reset. Now is the time break free of resistance and allow the journey to unfold.
Happy Winter Solstice 2018!
Colin
With such a serene setting, it's tough to believe that the ground is rumbling beneath us but we still have occasional reminders in the form of aftershocks that the earth has not yet settled after last Friday's big quake. Some of the aftershocks have registered at 5.0, which would be a decent earthquake in its own right. Schools and other buildings are still being inspected for damage while bridges and roads are quickly being repaired and life is resuming in Alaska.
Happy Humpday!
Colin
Good morning, America, how are you? Today is Election Day, so be sure to cast your ballot and when you do, vote for more auroras! Here are a few more images from Sunday night/Monday morning's display, taken at the the Eagle River Nature Center.
I am getting ready to travel to Minnesota later this week. If you are in the Minneapolis area, I will be working two travel shows with KB Tambo Travel & KB Cuba. The Star Tribune Vacation & Travel Experience is this Saturday & Sunday at the Minneapolis Convention Center and the second show is the Midwest Mountaineering Outdoor Expo on Nov. 17 & 18. Please stop by if you are in the area. I'll be promoting KB's tour packages and hopefully filling the remaining spots in my second February 2019 Cuba Photo Tour (https://www.colintyler.com/phototours-and-classes/). I have 4 people registered for the second tour and the first tour is full, so if you are interested in joining me in Cuba, please contact me ASAP!
Cheers!
Colin
It was a beautiful night to be out under the stars. After a couple days of waiting, the geomagnetic storm arrived later than anticipated last night but the lights actually kicked up much earlier in the evening than I had expected. I was scrambling to get ready but made it out for the second wave of activity.
Happy Monday!
Colin
According to the Farmer's Almanac, Alaska has another mild winter in store. With that forecast in mind, I am going to enjoy this landscape while it lasts.
Happy First of November!
Colin
Bold Peak in all its autumn glory. Happy Monday out there! I hope everyone had a great weekend. I'm getting around to editing through more of my recent aerial photos. I'm glad I got out when I did as most of this vibrant color has since faded.
Reminder that I still have signed & numbered 12x18" lynx photos available (along with a signed 2019 aurora borealis calendar, both for $95): https://www.colintyler.com/…/signed-amp-numbered-12x18-lynx…
And...my February photo tour in Cuba is full and it looks like I may add a second tour that will begin on February 16 or 17! More details on the Cuba tour here: https://www.colintyler.com/phototours-and-classes/
Cheers!
Colin
Rainy days create foggy mornings; foggy mornings create dramatic light. This is one of my favorite times of year for morning photos in the valley. Once the clouds part it is clear that the snow line is working its way down the mountains a little more each day. Have a great Monday out there and thank you for following along!
Colin
When I first moved to Alaska in 1996 I'd wanted to learn how to fly. Later that year I survived a crash in a single engine plane with my then roommate, which pretty much killed my desire to become a pilot. Looking back, I realize I was better off to befriend people with airplanes rather than become a pilot & own a plane myself. That proved true again yesterday when I was able to get up & capture a few more aerial photos of the valley around the Eagle River Nature Center before the fall color vanishes. The second photo is directly over the visitor center (lower right) and the Rodak Trail - both viewing decks are visible along the creek. Many thanks to my neighbor and skilled pilot, Craig, for taking me up twice recently to photograph the valley from a new perspective.
Colin
Here's an aerial view of an obviously well-fed black bear eating berries at around 3,000 feet during my flight through Eagle River Valley last week. This was one of about a dozen black bears that we saw high on the slopes grazing on autumn berries. Black bears are typically forest-dwelling creatures but with brown/grizzly bears roaming the lower reaches of the valley in search of salmon, they may be seeking the safety and food supply of the higher elevations.
Colin
A bird's eye view of Eagle River Valley and Glacier Lake (the source of Eagle River). Last night I flew with a local pilot friend of mine to take some aerial of the valley where I live. It's always fascinating to see this area from a different perspective. Clouds were building over the mountains, blocking the direct sunlight over the areas I most wanted to photograph, so we will probably fly again in the next few days before the fall color is gone. Have a great Wednesday out there and thank you for following along!
Colin
We've had some foggy mornings in the valley recently, adding an ethereal quality to the burgeoning fall colors. As much as I love this place and time of year, I am about to embark on one last international adventure before the oncoming winter. This will be the furthest I've traveled this year and it is a destination I have never been to before. I leave late tonight and will return next Friday. I'll check in when I am able, although I will be in remote areas and Wifi & downtime will likely be in short supply. In keeping with tradition, I will let my destination remain a mystery until I arrive. As always, thank you for following my journeys and feel free to share my posts with your friends.
Cheers,
Colin
Image taken with the Nikon D850.
It's a sunny, swanny Sunday morning in Eagle River Valley. Get out and enjoy the day!
Colin
"Ethereality is my reality."
Here are two more photos from Monday's ski trek in Portage Valley. I'd wanted to hike up to Byron Glacier to explore the ice caves but with the recent snow slides on either side of the valley and all the wind-packed snow, avalanche danger was too high to risk going up there. Better to be safe than sorry, as they say, and live to create another day!
Colin
Happy Vernal Equinox! Today marks the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and we just passed 12 hours of daylight here in South Central Alaska. I decided to leave my home turf yesterday and explore Portage Valley, south of Girdwood. A friend and I skied up toward Byron Glacier. The skies were clear and the wind was ripping, which made for some interesting scenic images with my telephoto lens. At 400mm, I could isolate the top of Bard Peak and focus on the lines & textures. Black & white always brings an ethereal mood to a wind-blown landscape.
I've hardly seen a cloud in the sky for the past week. At the same time, the temperature has barely climbed above zero during that stretch. It looks as though that is about to change with snow showers in the forecast for tonight and tomorrow, which is always welcome.
I felt the need to get out and enjoy the winter landscape before embarking on my next journey. In just a matter of days, I will be experiencing a new culture and exploring a new (tropical) part of the world. Still, no matter where I roam, part of me will always remain in this beautiful little valley I am so fortunate to call home. Have a great Monday out there and stay tuned to see where I land next!
Colin
