Ferns, Then & Now

Spring comes on quickly in these parts and if you don't pay attention, it will slip right past you. Last year I missed the opportunity to photograph fiddlehead ferns, it seemed as though I blinked and suddenly they were three feet tall. This year I kept a closer eye on the forest floor and captured a few shots of the ferns in their fiddlehead stage. Yesterday I went back to take a look at them and this is how much they've grown in just three weeks!

2,000 Likes on Facebook

This humpback whale image (Prince William Sound, 2014) was making a splash on my National Geographic Your Shot page last week. Speaking of making a splash, my Colin Tyler Photography Facebook page just passed 2,000 likes! I would like to thank each of you for following along and sharing my posts so that I reach a wider audience. As long as I continue to explore, create and share with the world, I am right where I need to be.

Cheers!

Colin

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Calypso Orchids

The calypso orchid (calypso bulbosa), also known as the fairy slipper, is a species of orchid that is widely distributed throughout the circumpolar region, inhabiting Europe, Asia and North America. Despite its wide range, it can be very elusive and easily overlooked, as it is typically low to the ground (10-14 cm). They are very susceptible to disturbances in their environment and are therefore listed as endangered or threatened in some states as well as Scandinavia. If you walk slowly and look closely, you can find calypso orchids along some of the trails here at the the Eagle River Nature Center, just be sure to watch your step!

Summer Photography Workshop

If you are interested in expanding your knowledge of camera functions and nature photography, I am offering a class on Saturday, June 25 from 9 am to 5 pm at the Eagle River Nature Center.  The first two hours will be spent in a classroom setting, where we will learn how to shoot in manual mode, we will then go outside for the rest of the day to put these principles to use in the field. Cost is $95 and limited to the first ten people who register. Please call the Nature Center at (907) 694-2108 to sign up.

Cheers,

Colin

Grizzly Discovery

Spring reveals many things, including Mother Nature’s brutal side. If you pay attention to details, the forest floor often tells stories of seasons past, this was the case today when I discovered the remains of what appears to have been a good-sized brown/grizzly bear. Judging from how the skull had been absorbed into the earth and moss, this bear met its match a number of years ago, probably the result of fighting with another bear. Based upon the way in which the bones were scattered about, it’s also quite possible that it was cannibalized by its assailant, and so goes the circle of life.

Golden Hour

Capturing the golden hour requires more than just showing up at the right time of day. You have to pick the right day, during the right time of year, when the atmospheric elements combine to create a quality of light so warm and soothing that it actually nourishes. So much that suddenly it’s approaching 10 pm and you realize that you haven’t eaten dinner, and despite your intentions of being home earlier in the evening to try and accomplish any number of tasks, somehow you just couldn’t pull yourself away from the light.

 

Earth Day 2016

"This life ends where the world begins, if you see things now through a different lens. When you lose it all, that's when you'll win again. Chasing light, all my life, chasing light." (CTB)

Happy Earth Day 2016. This day will always hold special meaning to me, the day my life changed forever. Three years ago today my world turned upside down, the life I knew was gone in an instant. To honor this date, I went for a long hike into the backcountry - more than 20 miles - with no real agenda or goal in mind other than to appreciate the beauty that lies out my back door and reflect on the fateful day that, while devastating initially, ultimately opened up new and wonderful opportunities I'd only dreamed of.

While on my hike, I decided to search for this legendary cabin that lies far off the grid, hidden in a stand of cottonwood and spruce trees. It took some time but I found it. Success - I explored new territory and found the little cabin but most of all, I took time to reflect on the inherent beauty often reveals itself in the darkest of times. Full story below:

From Ashes to Adventure, One year in this Big, Giant Life

Spring Moose

Most mornings I hike out to the same spot on Eagle River, splash some cold glacial water on my face, look up the valley and take a few deep breaths. I like to start my day with a bit of solitude, surrounded by mountains. I must have been especially quiet today because this bull moose walked right up the trail and past me into the river. I had to back up just to fit it into my frame. He's already got 6-7" of new antler growth. During the height of summer, moose antlers can grow up to an inch per day.

More Eagle Summit Aurora

There is nothing quite like witnessing the aurora borealis under crystal clear skies near the Arctic Circle, where the stars are big and bright. Here's one of my favorites from last Tuesday night/Wednesday morning at Eagle Summit, Alaska. There was no light pollution whatsoever, and not one vehicle passed by while we were out there.

Road Trippin' to Fairbanks

Yesterday was a beautiful day for a road trip to Fairbanks, so I had to make a detour into Denali National Park on the way, where I came upon this antler-less bull moose browsing. He should be growing a new set of antlers anytime now.

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