Beaver & Morning Reflection

Another gift from last week's calm, frosty morning...

I'd been trying to get a unique photo of the beavers working on their dam for a while now and having lived in this valley for more than a decade, I've learned to use (and sometimes prefer) reflected light vs. direct. In this case, the still water held a vibrant reflection of the mountainside in morning sun, creating a perfect canvas for the image in my mind’s eye.

Thank you for following,

Colin

www.colintyler.com

 

A Cold, Still Morning at the Eagle River Nature Center

Reflecting on a beautiful morning at the Nature Center last week...

After an evening of rainstorms with hail and thunder (a rare occurrence here), the sky cleared overnight and the temperature plummeted, leaving a thin layer of ice on the viewing decks and a perfect reflection.

As always, thank you for following.

Colin

 

Happy Earth Day, 2025

It's an overcast day here without much color but I am going outside to enjoy the fresh air and reflect on 12 years since I was abruptly uprooted and redirected onto a new path, as I always do on this day. It was devastating yet liberating, and there is always a lesson...

Meanwhile, I have been out chasing the many moods of spring in Alaska, from late season snowfall to foggy mornings and the sounds of birds.

Have a good day, and I hope you can get out to enjoy a moment of solitude and reflection.

Colin

Mallard in spring snow


Foggy morning at the Eagle River Nature Center, Chugach State Park


American dipper

alaskaWILD 2024 People's Choice Award

I am honored that my image "Paws and Reflect" was not only selected for alaskaWILD 2024, a traveling exhibition curated by Alaska Society of Outdoor and Nature Photographers, but was also awarded "People's Choice" after receiving more than 400 votes from various venues around Alaska! This was revealed last night at the monthly ASONP members' meeting.

I belong to ASONP and also serve on the board of directors. If you are an avid photographer, I encourage you to visit their website and consider joining. It's a great organization for networking with other photographers and there are many opportunities for workshops and excursions, both in Alaska and abroad: https://asonp.org/

Cheers!

Colin

 

“Paws and Reflect”

Great Horned Owl in Black & White

I've had countless encounters with great horned owls over the past decade, and it never gets old. I so admire these wise, stealthy raptors, and was once a guest on the local NPR program "Hometown Alaska" where I discussed my interactions with owls and how I've captured some of my best images of them.

Taken yesterday in Eagle River Valley, AK.

Colin

 

The Trees Have Eyes

The trees have eyes...

I had countless encounters with great horned owls while residing at the Eagle River Nature Center. Several images from those encounters are in my book (and 2025 calendar), and I was once a guest on the local NPR radio program "Hometown Alaska" where I recounted capturing some of those photos and how I developed an eye for spotting owls despite their capability to camouflage themselves quite well.

A few nights ago I was playing my guitar when I noticed something in a birch tree behind my place that had a distinct and familiar shape. I continued to strum until I saw it move and knew immediately what it was. I grabbed my camera and got quite a few frames as this owl scanned the area and watched me with fixated curiosity.

Colin

 

Summer Photography Class at the Eagle River Nature Center

I taught a 2-day summer photography workshop this past weekend for the Alaska Society of Outdoor and Nature Photographers. ASONP is a great organization that I belong to (and serve on the board of directors): https://asonp.org/. I encourage local photographers to visit our site and consider joining this wonderful network of fellow Alaskan shutterbugs.

The inclement forecast was daunting, but the skies smiled upon us and the rain let up while we were on the trails. It turned out to be great light for wildflowers and closeups, and everyone had a great time - a big thank you to everyone who attended! Here are a few of my favorite images.

On a side note, my 2025 calendars have arrived and preorders will be mailed out soon...! "Seasons of the Nature Center" books and calendars are available here:
https://www.colintyler.com/online-store

Cheers!

Colin

 

Dwarf Fireweed


Cranberry leaves


Wood ferns


The group!

April 2023 Geomagnetic Storm

April 23, 2023 - maybe the most intense geomagnetic storm I've experienced in Southcentral Alaska. I wish my lens was just a little wider to capture the full display that was overhead. This was also the night that I took the cover photo for my 2025 “Seasons of the Eagle River Nature Center” calendars (available for preorder on my site by clicking on the image at the top).

I'm catching up two years’ worth of editing and continue to find winning images like this one. Stay tuned for more...

Have a great weekend!

Colin

 

Waiting for the Aurora at Paradise Haven Cabin, Eagle River Nature Center

Last night I set up at a familiar locale in hopes of catching the aurora borealis. As it often goes, the lights did not come out and hence, the image I had in mind did not materialize. After struggling to keep a fire going in the wood stove at -20˚F and no activity in the sky, I decided it was best to wait for another opportunity...

There is more potential activity in the coming days and I am scheduled to guide an aurora tour for Alaska Photo Treks this Saturday, so hopefully we will have better luck.

Cheers,

Colin

 

"Seasons of the Eagle River Nature Center" 2025 calendars are off to press!

It's official - my "Seasons of the Eagle River Nature Center" 2025 calendars have gone to press!

I signed off on the proof & paid the balance for design & printing yesterday (I designed the front cover, the rest of the layout was done by Todd Communications of Anchorage). The calendars will arrive in Alaska this summer and be mailed out in July, after I return from leading our Iceland tour with Nat Expo Tours, LLC. Last year I printed 500 calendars and sold out by the first week of October, so I ordered 1,000 calendars this time, all of which will be signed & numbered..

I've pre-sold almost 50 calendars so far. Cost is $18 each and I am currently running a special of two calendars for $30 (+$5 shipping or local pickup/no shipping). Click here to reserve yours today!
Cheers!

Colin

 

"Seasons of the Eagle River Nature Center" 2025 Calendar Preorder Special

Happy New Year, everyone!

2023 was a monumental year that, among other things, included the release of my first book, "Seasons of the Nature Center." I am happy to report that I have now sold over 900 copies - more than half of my stock. Considering they just arrived in June, that is a remarkable pace! Signed copies are still available in my online store: https://www.colintyler.com/online-store

I also produced a 2024 calendar, which sold out (500 copies) by the first week in October. Based on that success, I am happy to announce my "Seasons of the Eagle River Nature Center" 2025 Calendar with a sneak peek at the cover below (photo taken during a strong geomagnetic storm last April). I will be printing 1,000 calendars this time, once again all signed and numbered and priced at $18.

The calendars should be delivered by July 2024, and I am currently offering a preorder special of two calendars for $30 + $5 shipping or local pickup/no shipping. They will be numbered in the order that the preorders are received. In other words, the first person to order today will get #'s 1 & 2, and so forth. Who will get the first calendars??? The link is live, you can reserve your copies today: https://www.colintyler.com/online-store/two-2025-seasons-of-the-eagle-river-nature-center-calendars-signed-numbered

Thank you for following, and all the best for 2024 and beyond!

Colin

 

Happy Winter Solstice, 2023

Happy Winter Solstice to all of you in the Northern Hemisphere!
(Photo taken at the Eagle River Nature Center's annual Solstice Ice Lantern Walk last Friday)

I truly love this time of year - the snow, the peace, the low angle light, and the rest...

It is also my day to reset, let go, and welcome the year ahead. This is my New Year, and I look forward to ringing it in and honoring the returning light with my tradition of completing 108 sun salutations at Namaste North Yoga Studio in Anchorage.

Have a great day, however you may choose to honor the shift in light and seasons.

Namaste 🙏

Colin

PS - I have one last book signing of the year at Odd Man Rush Brewing in Eagle River tomorrow, (12/22) from 5-8 pm. Please stop by, grab a local brew and get a signed copy of "Seasons of the Nature Center"

 

"Seasons" Book Review in Anchorage Daily News

It's been just over a year since I launched this long-awaited project and began pre-selling my book, "Seasons of the Nature Center." The response was overwhelming and surpassed my expectations, selling nearly 200 books in just a few weeks.

One year later, I can say that more than 700 copies have been purchased (roughly half of my stock), and today there is a wonderful book review in the Anchorage Daily News. Click here to read the article.

I am still selling signed copies in my online store and it is available at various Alaskan retailers, including Barnes & Noble, Title Wave Books, The Writer's Block Bookstore & Cafe in Anchorage, and the Bookshelf in Eagle River.

Thank you all for following along, and for helping to make this project a reality!

Colin

PS - I sold out of 2024 Eagle River Nature Center calendars (500 total), so please stay tuned for the 2025 edition...

 

From one year to the next, this brown bear cub seems to be growing up nicely. The first image was taken in 2022 and appears on page 17 of my book, "Seasons of the Nature Center." The second photo was taken earlier this fall.

Speaking of my book, I will be at Title Wave Books in Anchorage tomorrow, Saturday Nov 25, from 1 to 3 pm for a book signing along with 3 other Alaskan authors. Please stop by if you can!

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving holiday and look forward to the season ahead. A big thank you to Title Wave for hosting the event tomorrow and I hope to see you there.

Cheers!

Colin

PS - Signed copies of "Seasons of the Nature Center" are still available on my site, please allow 2-3 weeks for shipping: https://www.colintyler.com/online-store

 


Christmas in October, for Alaskans...

Happy Monday everyone and Happy PFD Week to all the Alaskans out there! If you are an AK resident and qualify to receive the Permanent Fund Dividend, this is like an early Christmas bonus. A few people are waiting to receive their PFDs to purchase a copy of my "Seasons of the Nature Center" book and/or 2024 calendar, so I'd like to mention a few things...

First, I am happy to say I have sold more than 600 books now, and out of 500 calendars, I have fewer than 10 left, so don’t hesitate if you’d like to get a copy!

Second, I have teamed up with the Alaska Wildlife Alliance, an organization that works to safeguard Alaska’s wildlife, to promote my book and raise funds to support their mission. I will donate 25% of each sale generated from the following links to AWA, so if you would like to support them and get a signed copy of my book, please use the following links (there is an option for local pickup or mail delivery at checkout):

Click here to order a signed book only.

Click here to order a signed book and 2024 calendar.


Finally, I will be leaving for Namibia later this week to lead our second tour of that country with Nat Expo Tours, so all mail orders received after Thursday, Oct. 5 will ship when I return in mid-November.

Thank you for following along and have a great week!

Colin

https://www.colintyler.com/online-store

 

Eagle Peak in Autumn, Black & White

Eagle Peak emerging from the clouds on an autumn evening.

This is a new perspective on a familiar scene; a mountain I've photographed countless times, yet each time tells a different story...

Reminder that I am teaching a class titled "Storytelling with Photography" this Sunday at the Eagle River Nature Center from 1 - 4 pm. There are spaces available:
https://www.ernc.org/public-programs.html

Thank you and feel free to share!

Colin

 

Annual ERNC Benefit Auction

Aurora borealis and a nearly full moon over Harp Mountain, Eagle River Valley. This is one of my favorite aurora photos from the Eagle River Nature Center and is on the last page of the Winter chapter in my book, "Seasons of the Nature Center" - available in my online store.

I donated a 24x36" metal print of this image to the
Friends of Eagle River Nature Center annual fall benefit auction. It will be a live auction item at this Saturday's event, starting at 6 pm at 49th State Brewing - Anchorage. There are still a few tickets available for those in the area who would like to attend, click here to purchase tickets.

There will be a number of wonderful items to bid on, and there is an online silent auction as well, open until this Sunday, Sept 17, 5:30 pm AKST.

Thank you!

Colin