It's been a few weeks since I finished my season as a guest lecturer with Princess Cruises and I've spent almost every day since guiding photographers in Southcentral Alaska. Whether we're chasing colorful landscapes, moose, or auroras, fall is a busy time for local tours. I had the privilege of spending a couple days with one of the most impressive bulls around recently while guiding for Alaska Photo Treks, along with his harem of cows and a couple smaller bulls who dared to get too close, only to be chased off!
Cheers,
Colin
Recent Guiding Moments
A few highlights from recent guiding ventures in Alaska. I am now on my way to Southern Africa where we will be leading our 4th consecutive tour of Namibia with Nat Expo Tours, LLC, which now includes a few days in northern Botswana. Stay tuned for photos of the Namib Desert and the array of Africa wildlife!
We are currently taking reservations for next year's Southern Africa Adventure (Oct 16-30, 2026), Experiencing Cuba (Feb 18-27, 2026), Arctic Norway Aurora Adventure (March 15-25, 2026), Exploring Nepal (May 13-26, 2026) and Exploring Iceland (June 17-27, 2026). Please message me if you are interested in joining any of our guided adventures to some of the world's most renowned photographic destinations! You can view all of our itineraries here: https://natexpotours.com/
Cheers!
Colin
Aurora borealis & Big Dipper, Palmer
Brown bear in the rain, Lake Clark National Park
Young bull moose, Chugach State Park
Happy Moose Monday/Fun-day!
This certainly was a unique opportunity from a recent guiding adventure. I've witnessed a lot of rutting behavior in recent years, but this is rare. We'd hiked close to 10 miles in the rain the previous day without taking a single frame, but this day sure did "produce."
As always, thank you for following,
Colin
Happy Autumn!
Today marks the first day of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere, though it has looked and felt like fall for a few weeks in Southcentral Alaska. I’ve been busy guiding and just had two very successful days of moose photo safaris with Alaska Photo Treks. This is one of the biggest bulls I’ve ever seen, with antlers that span around 70” across…
Moose Swimming in Turnagain Arm
Last month, while guiding a client for Alaska Photo Treks, I witnessed something I had never seen before. We made a stop to photograph the coastline and incoming tide when I spotted what looked like a log floating in Turnagain Arm. Upon closer inspection, we realized it was a moose swimming away from shore toward the mudflats. It walked along the flat briefly, then returned to the channel and swam around a rocky point before returning to the beach.
As I was expecting to photograph moving water and tidal zones, I left my telephoto lens behind. Looking back, the wider angle probably gave it a better sense of place and scale. It was a very unique opportunity for both the client and me!
Colin
Mating Moose
Before leaving for Africa I spent two full days guiding a couple photographers from Florida for Alaska Photo Treks who were hoping to observe moose rutting behavior. We had two very successful days, and it doesn't get much "ruttier" than this!
Please stay tuned for photos from Namibia in the coming days…
Cheers!
Colin
Moose vs. Branch
Here is a moose with a lot on his mind...
He tangled with the wrong branch but eventually shook it loose and went about his day. Taken near Anchorage, AK September 2023.
Happy Monday out there and thank you for following along!
Colin
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 Sunset
When the opportunity presents itself, I always like to include environment with wildlife photos for a sense of place and scale. This bull moose fed in the creek for a bit and then wandered off shortly before sunset last night, with the alpenglow still lighting up the Chugach Range.
Colin
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
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
Moose Monday, August Edition
Summer is winding down and this guy's antlers are almost finished growing for the season. Soon he will shed the nourishing velvet layer and carry his polished crown into early winter, when it will be dropped to make room for next year's.
Happy Moose Monday out there!
Colin
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.
Evening Moose
I've been posting so many owl photos & videos recently I thought it was time to share some of the local megafauna. Here is a cow moose in late evening light.
Hope you enjoy it. Happy Tuesday!
Colin
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
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
