Here's a bit of cuteness for your day - young female lynx, March 2019.
I just can’t get enough of these creatures!
Colin
Classic Car and Horse Carriage, Havana, Cuba
Hola!
I have gotten around to editing through my images from Cuba and added them to my website, if you'd like to peruse: https://www.colintyler.com/travel#/cuba-2019/.
Also, I will soon be posting my 2020 Cuba photo tours once I have worked out all the details! I will likely offer a 7-day tour as well as a 10-day tour with an optional day of yoga before going to Viñales.
Finally, I have an update on the camera gear that was damaged in the river near Trinidad, Cuba this past February. I sent it all to Nikon for evaluation and it turns out that both camera bodies and one of the three lenses are repairable. I received my D850 back yesterday and it seems to be working great! Not knowing what the status would be, I had arranged for another D850 to be brought down to me in Cuba so I now have two of them.
That is all for now. Have a great day out there and thank you for following my adventures!
Colin
Happy Unicorn Day!
It has come to my attention that April 9 is Unicorn Day (it's a real thing, check it out: https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/unicorn-day/). I've said before that I believe in love, I believe in magic, and I sure believe in unicorns, which is why I was able to capture this image near Hofsós on the northern coast of Iceland last year.
Have a magical day and be sure to mark your calendars for the next big holiday - Hug a Sheep Day, celebrated annually on the last Saturday in October (also a real thing: https://happydays-365.com/…/national-hug-a-sheep-day-octob…/)
Colin
Fourteen Hours!
We have officially passed 14 hours of daylight in Southcentral Alaska! Less than three months ago, the sun did not rise above these mountains; soon they will be glowing in the evening sun until almost midnight.
Have a great Monday out there and thank you for following along!
Colin
www.colintyler.com
More Lynx Photos
I have come to the conclusion that I could never have too many lynx images. Here is another from last month. Judging from his expression, I do believe he was just as enthralled with me as I was with him.
Happy Wednesday out there. We're halfway to the weekend!
Colin
Wildlife Morning
Last week I had one of my most memorable wildlife encounters since taking up residence here at the Nature Center. I watched a bull moose cross the creek between the viewing decks while a pair of trumpeter swans was upstream and moving toward the Salmon Viewing Deck, where I was standing. Just as the swans turned a corner and headed my way, I heard something behind me and looked back to see a lynx run across the entire length of the viewing deck and off into the woods past the moose! Unfortunately the lynx didn't present an opportunity for a photo but the memory of the event will always remain with me.
All in all, it was a nice start to the day and a solid reminder of why I choose to live here!
Colin
Bull Moose crossing the creek at the Eagle River Nature Center
Trumpeter swans at the Eagle River Nature Center
Twenty Three Years...
Looking back, I have to wonder if penguins ever regret not developing the ability to fly. In any case, I guess it's a bit late at this point...
Happy Monday out there! Here's a tidbit of information for you - it was 23 years ago today that I loaded up my Toyota pickup and began the drive from my home state of Minnesota to my soon-to-be new home, Alaska. That was literally half of my life ago and because of that move, I have experienced more than lifetime's worth of adventures and wildlife encounters- no fooling!!
Colin
Return of the Trumpeters
It's a sure sign of spring when the swans return on their northward migration. The weather forecast in south central Alaska is looking great for the days ahead. Have a wonderful weekend and get out to enjoy the sunshine if you can!
Colin
Happy Spring!
Well the last day of winter brought us an inch of fresh snow followed by a break in the clouds - a nice change from the grey days we've had recently. Let's see what the first day of spring has in store.
Happy Vernal Equinox to those north of the equator and Happy Autmnal Equinox to those in the Southern Hemisphere!
Colin
Kia Ora, New Zealand
"People make magic happen." Graffiti with a positive message. Today my thoughts go out to the people of New Zealand after yesterday's senseless act of violence. I took this in Christchurch five years ago and it's a good reminder the resilience of the Kiwis. This was taken in one of the cordoned-off sections of the city following the 2011 earthquake. Despite the loss and damage, the people of Christchurch came forth to rebuild and move forward after that tragedy and I have not doubt they will do the same now.
Kia ora,
Colin
Signed & Numbered Lynx Prints with 2020 Aurora Calendar
It's been a monumental week here at CTP after returning from an adventurous month in Cuba - my Facebook page just surpassed 4,000 likes, thanks in large part to the lynx photos I've shared over the past few days! I'm also happy to announce that I landed a photo in the 2020 Aurora Borealis Calendar from Todd Communications. I've had some inquiries about purchasing copies of the lynx photos so I am making an offer for the first ten Artist Proofs of two different photos, signed and numbered, "Sitting Lynx" and "Yoga Lynx" - a 12x18" glossy print AND a signed aurora calendar (my photo is on the month of January) for $95 OR you can get both lynx prints and a calendar for $170.
Below are the links for the lynx😄😄 - click the title or the image to reach my online store. Thank you all for following my journeys, sharing my photos, and allowing me to continue to do what I do. Feel free to share this email!
Colin
More Lynx Poses
Here are a couple more lynx photos from last Sunday - “Resting Lynx Face” and “Yoga Lynx.” Fun fact: Many yoga poses were learned (and named) from observing animals. Here a lynx demonstrates a nearly perfect "Downward Dog" pose. If I were to critique this lynx, I'd say drop the shoulders, lower the head, and keep pushing those hips toward the sky!
Namaste,
Colin
Resting Lynx Face
Yoga Lynx
Welcome Home Lynx
No matter where my travels take me, it's always nice to return to Alaska and even nicer to be welcomed home by one of my favorite animals. We had some lynx activity over the weekend - what appeared to be an adult male (pictured here) who was trailing an adult female with two kits in hopes of mating. So far she seems to have resisted his advances.
Happy Monday!
Colin
“Mi amigo primero y mi guía siempre.”
“Mi amigo primero y mi guía siempre.”
“My friend first and my guide always.”
I’m currently on my way home from Cuba and during my time there, I absorbed enough Español to create at least one meaningful and grammatically correct statement; a tribute to my guide and good friend, Gelin Eguinosa. He was our guide on my first trip to Cuba and I was sure to request him for both of my photo tours this year. You’d be hard-pressed to meet a kinder man who handles every situation, even the inevitable moments of adversity, with his level of thoughtfulness and professionalism. He’s knowledgeable in La historia de Cuba (Cuban History) and, of course, always knows the best cliff-jumping spots! As long as he is available, Gelin will guide my tours.
Speaking of tours, there are a number of people interested in registering for the “2020 Cuba Photo Tour.” Once I am home and settled in I will work out the details of next year’s trip and share the information. My plan is to continue leading these tours in Cuba while my hope is that we will be able to continue to visit and become acquainted with one of our closest neighbors. When governments fail to negotiate, citizens on both shores suffer. This leads me to my second meaningful statement en Español: “Puentes no muros.” or “Bridges not walls.” May we continue to build bridges by removing societal barriers and increase the exchange of ideas, goods, and goodwill.
Until next time, Cuba,
Hasta pronto!
Colin
Viñales Sunset
The sun is setting on my time here in Cuba. Four weeks of leading tours, embarking on new adventures and visiting old haunts, making new friends and dealing with occasional adversity goes by pretty fast. I have every intention of returning and already have a number of people ready to sign up for next year’s tours.
This was taken in Viñales last night, where we were treated to a tour of local farms and finished up with a beautiful sky to end the day. Today we returned to Havana and I fly out tomorrow, along with the last of my second group. I’ll have more to share as time allows. Until then, hasta pronto!
Colin
Cuba Farm Tours
Hola, amigos! My second group arrives mañana and it will be back to business for the rest of my time here. Aside from seeing the sights and scenery, my tours include visits to local farms where you can sample and acquire locally made honey, coffee, and of course, cigars and rum (if you're into that). These were taken in Viñales last week at our hosts' family farm. I have every intention of scheduling photo tours in Cuba again next February and already have a number of people who are ready to sign up. I'll work out the details and post them after I return. Until then, hasta luego!
Colin
The Classic Cars of Cuba
While I am no motorhead or car enthusiast by any stretch, I truly enjoy photographing the many classic automobiles in Cuba. After the embargo, the Cuban people kept these vehicles running out of necessity as newer models weren't available to them and I have to marvel at their ingenuity. This is why there are still so many on the roads today.
One of the photographic techniques I shared with my group here is called panning - using a slow shutter speed to accentuate movement and tracking the subject as it passes by. If you open an issue of National Geographic Magazine, you will often find photos with exaggerated movement, which adds life and emotion to the images. I always say that photography is a set of rules and principles and once you master these rules, learn to creatively break the rules. This is when you've become an artist.
Colin
Adversity vs. Perseverance
“The only value we have as human beings is the risks we are willing to take.” (Ernest Hemingway)
I’ve been dragging camera gear around with me for more than 20 years now, in all types of conditions, and have been quite fortunate to never have sacrificed anything of great value to the elements. Alas, all good things must come to an end. Last week in Trinidad our group set off on an afternoon horseback riding venture. Since we were just starting out and going to be stopping shortly for lunch, I left my pack in the two-wheeled horse cart with 2 of my clients and the driver. They were far ahead of the rest of us, who were adjusting to the bumpy ride and learning the commands. When we rounded a bend and arrived at a river crossing, we saw the cart was empty of riders and upended in the river; my pack along with one other were submerged in the murky water. I immediately jumped off my horse and ran to the river while our guide, Gelin, dismounted and grabbed our packs from the cart. Apparently, the horse was struggling to get across the river and bucked, upending the cart in the process. As it turned out, it had been sitting there at least 10-15 minutes. I opened my pack to find my brand-new Nikon D850 camera body along with my D700 and 3 of my best lenses completely saturated. With the help of my group, I began emptying water from the gear in the hopes that some of it might be salvaged. Soon we arrived at the little restaurant in the countryside where, thanks again to my clients, we stuffed napkins into the open compartments and obtained a bag of rice from the hosts to begin the drying process.
Before I go any further, I must acknowledge that the situation could have been far worse as two of my guests were riding on the cart that spilled into the river. While I was obviously upset about my gear, I was grateful that nobody was injured. Material items can be replaced but there is no value that can be placed on human life or the wellbeing of my clients. Initially, some in the group seemed to be more upset than I was (one remarked it was as if Sydney Laurence had lost his paint brushes, a very kind metaphoric compliment, I must say) but I reminded them that everybody was OK and, in the end, that is all that really matters. I told them that I’ve been through far worse and experienced greater loss and came out on top and this would be no different, no matter how expensive or inconvenient the situation might be.
Rather than finish the ride, I decided to make my way back to town with one of people who had been on the cart when it tipped over. She was understandably shaken but in good spirits. We had no choice but to ride the cart back, this time avoiding any rivers. We did encounter a few large mudholes and despite the driver assuring us that we did not need to dismount, I demanded that he stop and let us down when the horse started to buck again. We made it back to the casa carrying drenched backpacks and a 20 lb. sack of rice filled with thousands of dollars’ worth of gear. After transferring everything into Ziplock bags, I made some calls and arranged for a new D850 to be brought down this week. I stashed the rice and gear at a casa in Havana and set off to Viñales a couple days later. At this point, I still do not know what, if anything, survived. One way or another this will all work out, even if it means shooting a few more weddings this season to replace what is lost.
I could have avoided all this by never stepping outside my comfort zone, but what is the purpose of life without adventure? At this point, there’s nothing left to do but smile and keep moving forward…
Colin
Joyfulness
We have but one simple purpose in life, which is to be joyful. Children understand this yet we unlearn it as we grow into adulthood. How is it that as we mature and acquire knowledge, we lose this wisdom? Wherever you go in the world, you will find children being joyful. Whether they have a brand new soccer ball or a flattened aluminum can to kick around, children will always find joy.
Colin
First Cuba Tour es Finito!
Well, my first Cuba photo tour has ended and everybody has departed. We had a great group of people I've received a lot of nice feedback. Aside from one minor setback in Trinidad, things flowed quite smoothly. I now have a few days in Havana to relax until my second group arrives on Saturday.
Gracias, amigos! Thank you for following along.
Colin
Sunset over Havana.
Vegas Grande - Cuba’s tallest Waterfall.
Exploring a cave in El Nicho National Park, Cuba.