April Aurora Class

Finally getting around to posting a photo from Saturday night's aurora photography class - I was on the road much of yesterday and arrived in Fairbanks last night. We had intermittent clear skies with a bit of aurora glowing behind the clouds. Everyone got photos and hopefully learned a few things in the process. Participants, feel free to share your photos in the comments.

Let's hope the aurora/weather forecast holds true while I'm in Fairbanks this week, tomorrow night could be good!

Reflecting on Twenty Years

 

Exactly twenty years ago today, April 1, 1996, I packed my Toyota pickup to the gills and began the journey north, to Alaska. Fresh out of college with a head full of dreams and infinite naivety, I’m not sure what I was searching for exactly, other than adventure and new experiences. What I discovered among the glaciated mountains, oceans, and vast wild space was inspiration like I’d never known. Driving across northern Canada, as the topography transformed, becoming increasingly dramatic, and the mountains grew taller, that inspiration was overwhelming, forcing me to pull over several times each day to pen the thoughts and poetic lines that seemed to flow without effort, almost involuntarily.

After a week of driving, I arrived in Anchorage on a more somber note, thoroughly disappointed that the trip was over. The anticipation and the curiosity, the promise of a new life in the Last Frontier, ignited an urge to continue exploring which, I suppose, explains how I got to where I am today. I had initially come to Alaska to complete an internship for a degree in psychology, but the purpose of my journey was far more significant, and it didn’t take long to realize that a career in human services wasn’t for me. Later that same year, the camera found me, as I like to say, and my path was forever changed.

In the fall of 1999, I moved back to Minnesota and soon found that the adage is true - once you move away you can’t ever truly go home again. Alaska was forever under my skin, there was no denying it, and in 2007, an opportunity arose for me to reestablish myself in the 49th state. I have been here since. Looking back on the past two decades, I’ve had some big ups and downs, and somehow I keep coming out on top. I’ve survived a bush plane crash, been chased by a few bears, underwent spinal surgery and escaped a house fire that destroyed nearly everything I owned. In the end, it only strengthened my resolve to continue to explore and share the magic of my experiences through photographs and words. Now in my forties, I look at the young, bearded man in the photo holding his first king salmon and instantly recognize the wanderlust and youthful exuberance that has come full circle and is stronger than ever. The beard, now infiltrated by shades of salt & pepper, has remained and serves as a proud reminder of how I earned each and every one of my grey hairs. I wouldn’t change a thing if I could; it’s been beautiful ride, and while I have no idea what the next 20 has in store, I can promise it will be anything but mundane.

Colin

 

 

 

Under the Ice Bridge

I did some more exploring under the river ice last week. This time I found a tunnel that was very much still intact. Once again, I had to go in barefooted as the water was too deep for my rubber boots. I set up in the mouth of the tunnel to capture the swift moving river under the sheet of ice. The water was thigh deep, cold and running fast, yet somehow calming.

Going the Extra Mile

Yesterday I walked a few miles along the river, examining the receding ice. My goal was to document the changes and, more specifically, take a close look under the ice bridges, most of which have collapsed by now. I found this bridge intact with rushing water directly below and a nice view of the valley in the background, the only issue being that the water was too deep for my Xtra Tough rubber boots. Determined to get the shot and set up just above the surface of the water, I removed my boots, pants, and thermal layer and waded into the icy water barefooted, repeatedly telling myself that it really isn’t that cold. In the end, it really wasn’t too bad and I came away with a unique perspective of the river and the valley.

Winter Photo Class

This valley has been pretty brown all winter, but that changed yesterday. We got a foot of fresh powder - more than we've gotten over the past 3 months - just in time for my winter photography class! This is the hearty bunch of photogs who spent the day trekking through the snow with me. We covered more than six miles in a beautiful winter wonderland, capturing photos along the way. Thank you to all who attended! 

Spring Breakup

Between the rainy weather and spending some time in Anchorage recently, I haven't been out on the trails or the river much the past couple of weeks. Today, I found myself back home at the Nature Center and the weather was spectacular so I went out for a good hike. The river is ever changing in all times of year; perhaps the most dramatic is the ice breakup in springtime.

Aurora Photography Class

Attention aurora chasers, this class has just been added to the schedule here at the Nature Center, cost is $75 and limited to 10 people. If you or anyone you know is interested in learning to photograph the aurora borealis, give us a call at 907-694-2108 to register. The last aurora class filled up quickly so if you are considering attending, don't delay! Feel free to share.

Cheers,

Colin

2017 Aurora Borealis Calendar

Just got a nice surprise in the mail - one of my photos from last April out here at the Nature Center made it into the 2017 Aurora Borealis Calendar that is produced annually by Todd Communications of Anchorage. Last year was my first time submitting to this calendar, so it was great to have a photo selected the first time around. Hopefully I will have more images to submit again this year, providing the solar activity picks up and the weather cooperates!

Cheers,

Colin

2016 Icy River Rampage

It never ceases to amaze me what lengths Alaskans will go to find recreation – climb it, ski it, bike it, or find whatever means necessary, people in this state are rarely deterred by adverse conditions when it comes to enjoying the outdoors. Despite the “winter storm” that delivered copious amounts of rain followed by a few inches of snow, then topped off with more continuous rain and some of the worst driving conditions I’ve ever experienced, we had nearly 50 hearty souls take part in the Eagle River Nature Center’s Icy River Rampage fat bike race today. It was a wet, slushy mess out on the river with several inches of overflow on top of the ice, but it wasn’t the least bit mundane.

Extreme conditions also make for extreme photography, long as you can keep your gear relatively dry. The most challenging aspect of shooting the race today, aside from the flat light, was keeping my camera lenses clear of water drops and fog, which ended up costing me a few shots.

Seasons at the Eagle River Nature Center

Friends,

Mark your calendars! Next Saturday, February 27, I will be holding a reception and print sale followed by a presentation of images I've taken at the Eagle River Nature Center since taking up residence here more than a year ago. The reception begins at 6:30 pm and the slide show will start around 7:30. There will be snacks and beverages (non-alcoholic); all prints, including photographs on canvas as well as matted and framed prints, will be marked down 20%. I hope to see you there and please share to help spread the word.

 Thank you,

 Colin

 

 


The American Dipper

If there's one species you can count on seeing in the waters near the Eagle River Nature Center just about any day of the year, it's the dipper, or water ouzel. They are quick moving, jittery little birds that bob up and down when they stand in one place and dive into ice cold water in search of fish eggs, salmon fry or aquatic insects to feed on. I photographed this dipper earlier today while tracking a pair of river otters, the muted colors reflected in the water created a nice background.



Changes...

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes (Turn and face the strange)
Turn and face the seasonal
Ch-ch-Changes!

If you've followed along with the photos of this moose that I've been posting recently, here is a collage of the changes that took place over the past week. Hopefully I will be able to photograph him throughout the spring and summer as he grows a new set of antlers.

The Moose Formerly Known as "Moosicorn"

Say hello the moose formerly known as " Moosicorn" (aka Arctis Unicornus). I caught up with him this evening and apparently he shed his right antler since I saw him last, which was three days ago. Fortunately, I was able to capture the stages of his antler shedding over the past week, from having a full rack to the one-antlered “unicorn” stage and finally, a complete lack of headgear. Not to fret, he will start growing a new set of antlers in a couple of months.