This morning was inspirational, I feel as though I accomplished more in a few hours than I have all week. As a result, I have added a new gallery of images.
Safe Selfies
This morning I read that more people are killed from accidents using selfie sticks than by shark attacks, so I'm not taking any chances. As you can see by the shadow across my chest, both hands are placed securely on the phone - no stick involved. If you're trying to reach me this week, I'll be in my happy place.
Autumn is upon us...
Autumn is officially upon us, and it goes quickly in these parts. Yesterday I spent the day chasing colors in Eagle River Valley and I plan to do the same today and tomorrow, trying to document the changes as much as I can before it's gone. This was taken at "The Perch" which is 4 miles out from the Visitor Center, where I spent a few hours enjoying the late afternoon light show.
Fall Photography Class at the Eagle River Nature Center
Here's a photo of the motley crew I had for Saturday's fall photography class at the Nature Center (we had two others that had to get back a bit earlier, unfortunately I forgot to take the group photo before they left). We had fantastic weather and a fun day out on the trails; hopefully everyone learned a thing or two. This was taken at our final destination, Echo Bend, 3 miles out from the visitor center. I will be offering a winter class as well and quite possibly a session on aurora photography, bearing in mind that it will likely be an indoor program unless we are fortunate enough to have clear skies and lights that night. The way this season is starting off, however, it seems that we could very likely have lights. I will post these on my page when they are set in stone, or at least added to the Nature Center's schedule.
Cheers!
Colin
The Sun Shines Again
After a few days of heavy rains, the clouds parted early Friday morning, shedding light on the autumn colors and fresh snow in Eagle River Valley.
Green Acres
Fall color, auroras and a landscape tinted green from the intense glow, these are few of my favorite things. Another photo from early Sunday morning in Eagle River Valley.
A Stellar Weekend
After yesterday's all-day photography class, chasing auroras much of last night, 3 outdoor portrait sessions today and putting a good 12 miles on my feet, I was able to make it out to catch the last light of the day with the rapidly transitioning seasonal colors. This scene never gets old, nor do I ever take for granted the fact that this is what I call my backyard. With a sense of gratitude and physical exhaustion, I bid you goodnight from Eagle River Valley. I will have more photos to share tomorrow, and always.
September Aurora Surprise
I led an all-day outdoor photography class at the Nature Center yesterday, hiked 6+ miles and have 3 portrait sessions scheduled later today. I was planning on getting a bit of sleep but I guess Mother Nature had other plans. One thing I've come to realize over the years is that I'd much rather deal with a lack of sleep for a day or two than face weeks, months, sometimes years of regret for missing a wonderful photographic opportunity.
Surprise!
By the look in her eye, it appears I took this moose by surprise while she was feeding in Denali National Park last week. I've photographed several moose over the years, yet there is always room for something new.
Another Denali Autumn
Denali National Park and Preserve is vast - larger than some states, and often referred to as North America's Serengeti. While it is teeming with wildlife, the seemingly endless expanse of tundra feels empty and void of life at times. The light can remain flat for hours, even days, making it feel impossible to capture an image that translates the true beauty and immensity of the park. Most of the images I've taken amount to a mere snippet of the days, weeks and months I've spent there since my first visit in 1996. Yet something draws me back nearly every year, even though I don't always return with stunning new images. I guess it's more out of tradition that I love to spend a few days there in autumn, seeking solitude and gentle reminders of why I choose to live in Alaska.
Termination Dust
The clouds cleared early this morning and winter began to rear its head in the most beautiful way.
Success!!
This little brown bear is finally learning to catch salmon. To be honest though, they're half dead and I could probably catch one with my teeth at this point. Nevertheless, it's encouraging to see.
I'm trying to get ready to leave for Denali but I keep getting distracted by bears, mating moose and owls. I'd better get moving...
Love is in the Air
Love is in the air!! It sure was for this bull moose today, anyhow. I spotted the cow this morning and was attempting to photograph her when this guy walked onto the scene. She continued to browse, ignoring his advances until it was clear she wasn't in the mood, at which point she could buck and run away. Watching a pair of Alaskan moose crash about right in front of you can be a bit intimidating and when the bull's body language made it clear he no longer wanted me around, I obliged and moved on. If there is one thing I've learned over the years, it's that you don't want a rutting bull moose to perceive you as competition for his girl.
Autumn Sunrise on Denali
Another sunrise on North America's tallest peak, Denali. This was taken from an overlook near the Wonder Lake campground in September of 2011, while leading a group of photo enthusiasts. I will be headed to Denali National Park next week for my usual fall pilgrimage. This year I will be camping at Teklanika, which is closer to the park Entrance.
Denali
It's official, North America's tallest mountain will now be referred to by its original Athabascan name, 'Denali.' I took this at sunrise from the aptly named Reflection Pond in 2006.
Trending on Nat Geo →
I posted this photo to my National Geographic profile yesterday and it quickly generated a lot of responses. This morning I received a message that it's currently one of the most popular images on Nat Geo's "Your Shot." As I've said before, every little step is a step in the right direction.
Colin
More weekend auroras...
If you’ve ever witnessed the aurora dance across a night sky, you might agree that words and photographs cannot adequately convey the transcendent experience or the feeling of insignificance elicited as the sky fills with electricity and the landscape is illuminated by a magnetic green glow.
Here is another image from Saturday night/Sunday morning during one of the more intense periods of the show, with the Big Dipper gleaming boldly above the Chugach Mountains.
The sky is lighting up in Eagle River Valley, Alaska tonight...
Aurora borealis dancing over the Chugach Mountains.
Misty Morning Moose
Another misty morning moose. Temperatures are dropping overnight and light is fading quickly. While I don't want to see summer draw to a close, I enjoy autumn and the seasonal changes that come with it, like morning fog in the valley.
Shot in the Dark
For the past couple weeks, both morning and night, under varying light and backgrounds, I have been trying to capture an image of a great-horned owl taking flight. Focusing on a bird in flight is challenging enough in broad daylight but when the sunlight has retreated and your subject is nothing more than a silhouette against a cobalt sky, it is quite literally a shot in the dark.
This evening, as I watched one of the owls perched in a usual spot waiting for its mate to show, I heard the tell-tale screech directly behind and turned around to see the second owl in a tree barely 30 feet away, looking directly at me. Knowing this particular owl tended to move around frequently, I reasoned that it would take flight again momentarily. As I set up and waited, something told me this would be my moment. My face was glued to the viewfinder for several minutes until the owl fell forward and spread its wings for me. I had but one shot at nailing this as the flash takes a moment to recharge after firing at full power, and that one shot was all it took.
Shortly afterward, a sow black bear with three little cubs showed up, followed by a moose. I smiled with gratitude, knowing I'd come away with the image I wanted.
