America's national parks turn 100 years old today. Here is a sunrise on our tallest mountain, Denali, taken near Wonder Lake in September, my favorite time to visit the park.
World Photography Day 2016
Happy World Photography Day 2016! The world's first known photograph was created 177 years ago today. The process has changed considerably since that time, even since I began shooting twenty years ago. I resisted the digital revolution and continued to shoot film until 2007, when I finally broke down and got my first digital SLR. As an artist, I love the possibilities that newer technology provides, making it possible to produce images that simply could not have been captured using film. At the same time, you might say it has been a double-edged sword as the stock photo market has been saturated with low-priced, royalty free images and in many cases businesses and publications have come to expect photos for no cost at all. That being said, change is inevitable and the only way to survive is to adapt. Social media provides a platform to do just that.
This is one of my first and most memorable photographs - aurora borealis and the Big Dipper over North America’s tallest mountain, Denali, taken on Kodak slide film in 1998. It is still among my best selling images to date and has landed in several publications, including Alaska Magazine and was also used by the US Postal Service on a commemorative stamp sheet. I’m excited to see what the next twenty years will bring in the way of photographic technology and business pursuits; the possibilities are endless.
Colin
The Sun is Setting on Summer
After a break in the weather, it is apparent how quickly summer is drawing to a close. Since June 21, we've lost nearly 4 hours of daylight. During the longest days, evening sunlight bathes the valley until almost midnight, now the sun drops behind the mountains to the west shortly after 8 pm. This was taken around 9:45, with the last rays of light entering the valley.
Monday's Moose Fact
Moose antlers are 95% grown by the first of August, which stands to reason since they will soon be shedding the velvet tissue layer that nourishes them as they grow throughout spring and summer. In other words, this guy isn't going to get much bigger this time around. He should drop these antlers in mid-to-late winter and will perhaps be sporting more impressive headgear at this time next year.
For the Birds...
This week has been for the birds, quite literally. In one morning I saw three belted kingfishers, one of which actually landed close enough for me to get a few frames, along with numerous white-winged crossbills and family of American dippers with two fledglings.
High Water
I’m fairly certain I’ve never seen Eagle River this high before. What was dry land just a few days ago is now completely underwater. When I saw this partially submerged dwarf fireweed, I instantly envisioned a photo. As usual, getting the shot in my mind’s eye meant getting my feet wet. By using a two-minute exposure, I was able to accentuate both the moving water and the flowers bouncing in the current.
Great Horned Owl
Exactly one year ago, a pair of great horned owls began making regular appearances on my evening walks near the Nature Center. After a few days of observing them, I began to pick up on some of their behaviors and routines and for the next month, I spent countless hours photographing them, often while they were hunting. With the current abundance of food in the area (ducklings), I've been scanning the trees, hoping for an owl sighting. Yesterday evening, I got that opportunity.
Homer Sea Otter
I was enjoying a coffee this morning, overlooking the Homer Boat Harbor and getting ready to hit the road when I saw this sea otter trying to catch a few winks in the calm water. Homer never disappoints, see you next time!
Homer Life
Well, I got my limit of annual limit of salmon dip-netting on the Kenai River so I decided to head down to Homer and camp on the beach for a couple days. Good evening from the Homer Spit, one of my absolute favorite places on the planet!
Fall Photography Workshop
July is almost past and soon autumn will be upon us, so it's not too early to gear up for a fall color photography class. If you are in the area and interested in learning more about your digital camera and photographing nature, this all-day class is for you! It will be held on Saturday, September 17 at the Eagle River Nature Center from 9 am until approximately 5 pm. The first couple hours will be inside and, weather permitting, we will spend the remainder of the day outside photographing fall colors in beautiful Eagle River Valley. The cost is normally $95 but due to an error in my accounting department (me), it is just $75 this time. Class is limited to ten people and we already have some registered, so do not hesitate if you or someone you know might be interested. Call (907) 694-2108 to sign up.
Please share. Cheers!
Colin
Magic Hour
With just the right amount of moisture and atmospheric conditions, the magic hour was a bit more magical this evening. I bid you a late goodnight from Eagle River Valley.
Where I Go
This is my peaceful little corner of the world, where I go to ease my mind and ponder life. Sometimes I return with new images to share, other days I just go out to breathe and let go of residual stress. Either way, I always gain a sense of calm and feeling of gratitude, which keeps me in balance and ultimately enhances my artwork.
Our hearts are heavy today, after recent events in this country and around the world. For the life of me, I do not understand why we, as a species, simply cannot get along and learn to live together in harmony. I encourage all of you to find your own happy place, your own little corner of the world and spend just a few minutes there each day to unwind and find solace. If everyone did this, we would have a much more peaceful existence. Have a great weekend everybody. Be safe, be peaceful, and be the change you want to see in the world.
Coli
Various Water Crossings on the Crow Pass Trail
Keeping your feet dry on the Crow Pass Trail can be a chore, to say the least. Here are some of the various water crossings on the Eagle River side. Since I was carrying a lot of precious camera gear, I opted not to use on the logs at both Icicle and Thunder creeks and instead found shallower water to ford across. Have a great 4th of July, and be sure to get outside! Remember, all canvas prints at my online store are marked down 25% this week, use the promo code "JULY42016" at checkout.
Cheers!
Colin
4th of July Canvas Special - 25% off all canvas prints!
Happy 4th of July, friends!! Have fun out there, be safe and most of all, be friendly. For the next week, this bald eagle print (going back to the days of film with my first magazine cover shot here) and all gallery wrapped canvas prints are marked down 25% on my store: Enter the following code at checkout: JULY42016
Please share.
Cheers!
Colin
Common Mergansers
I was photographing a moose late yesterday evening when I heard something splashing in the creek behind me. I turned around, expecting to find another moose; instead I saw this family of common mergansers. I hadn't seen the female in a couple weeks; apparently she's been busy!
Eagle Glacier
A telephoto view of Eagle Glacier from Glacier Lake, the headwaters of Eagle River. Next time I hike the Crow Pass Trail, I plan to camp at the lake and hike up to the glacier.
Alaska Magazine
I recently had the privilege of authoring an article about moose for Alaska Magazine. If you are a subscriber, you will find it in the newest July/August issue. It is also available in magazine stands throughout Alaska - you won’t miss the stunning wolf image on the cover! You can read the article here, but I would suggest picking up the latest issue and perusing the summer wildlife photo essay and other great articles, it is an excellent resource if you are planning a trip to Alaska or if you like to read about adventure and life on the Last Frontier. You can also subscribe here.
Let me know what you think, and if you learned a thing or two about Alaska’s majestic moose…
Thank you,
Colin
The Edge of the Day
The most dramatic light is always on the edge of the day. Sunset over Eagle River, taken one week ago on my backcountry trek on the Crow Pass Trail with my good friend Tyler Howie. This was just before midnight as we were approaching Thunder Gorge, where we set up our camp. The rain let up and the sky was beautiful, so much that I chose to sleep on the gravel bar along the river rather than in the tent.
Solstice Sunset
The sun set on the longest day of the year this past week and the pendulum now swings in the other direction. From now until December 21, we will be losing daylight in the Northern Hemisphere while the southern half of the planet begins to gain light each day - perfect for my journey to Australia in November! After looking through my images from the backcountry camping adventure, I feel vindicated in adding 25 pounds of camera gear to my pack and lugging it nearly 30 miles over two days on the Crow Pass Trail. This is a two-minute exposure, taken just after midnight with a Nikon D700 camera body and 17-35mm lens, using a ten-stop neutral density filter system ("The Big Stopper") from Lee Filters. Happy summer to everyone north of the equator!
Journey Through the Rain
It's amazing what a little bit of fill flash can do for a photo on a dreary day! We began our hike in the pouring rain on Monday, but didn't let that dampen our spirits. Freija was not deterred in the least, she kept leading the way, carrying her own food in her little Mountainsmith K-9 Dog Pack. This was taken at The Perch, 4 miles into our journey from the Eagle River Nature Center on the Iditarod Historical Trail. Thanks again to my good friend Tyler Howie for bringing such a great hiking companion!
For a comprehensive article on camping with dogs and more, visit this link at Outside How: https://outsidehow.com/camping-with-dogs.html
