Happy National Cat Day 2020! I've long considered myself a cat lover, both domestic and wild. I think this mother lynx realized that.
That's all for meow,
🐯Colin
Another Lynx Kitten and Proposed Hunting/Trapping Season in Chugach State Park
Happy Monday, everyone! Here's another lynx kitten to start your week.
While on the topic of lynx, you should be aware that the Alaska Department of Fish & Game has issued an emergency order to open lynx hunting and trapping in Chugach State Park. On September 21st the Alaska Wildlife Alliance, Friends of Chugach State Park, and Anchorage attorney Kneeland Taylor filed a petition to close the upcoming lynx hunting and trapping season. The public comment period has ended but if you would like to read their petition and learn more about what the Alaska Wildlife Alliance does, you can visit their Facebook page or their website: https://www.akwildlife.org/. I am a member and truly hope they will be able to prevent this from happening. Lynx populations are cyclical and based on the boom and bust cycle of snowshoe hares, their primary food source. While lynx sightings have been more common in recent years they are still rare, generally speaking, and will soon be less frequent as the hare population declines. This petition does not seek to prevent the taking of lynx statewide, but only in Chugach State Park where people recreate and might have the unique opportunity to view one of these elusive creatures in the wild.
Thank you,
Colin
Bull Moose in the Chugach Mountains
It certainly has been a productive week for wildlife photography! Yesterday I decided to visit another area in hopes of finding moose. I bumped into an old friend/photographer and this beautiful bull moved into position for us in the last bit of afternoon light as the sun was skirting the top of a mountain across the valley.
I would also like to point out that this bull was bedded down next to a cow for nearly two hours while we waited patiently from a good distance for them to move. In that time, they were roused three times by unleashed dogs, the final one lasting for several minutes while the owner clearly had no control over the situation as the dog was aggressively approaching the bull. Both moose charged out of the brush, at which point we quickly retreated behind a group of trees until the situation was calm and the dog was finally leashed. Leashes are required in some areas but when they're not it is up to the owner to maintain control of their dog. Not only were these animals harassed while they were resting, it also put the dog, the owner, and everyone else in the vicinity in immediate danger. This wasn't the first time this has happened and likely won't be the last, but if I can persuade just one dog owner to take responsibility then my message will not have been in vain.
Thank you,
Colin
Depth of Field vs. Lynx
As I mentioned yesterday, photographing lynx in their natural habitat presents challenges. Inevitably, tree branches and other vegetation hinder efforts to get an unobstructed photo but when you do find a narrow window, you can use the surrounding out of focus elements to frame your subject. With an aperture of f/7.1, the depth of field was sufficient to maintain sharp detail from the lynx’s nose to the tips of its ears while the foreground and background are soft and don’t distract from the subject. This might be my favorite image from the series.
Have a great day out there and thank you for following my journey.
Colin
Baby Lynx
Warning: cuteness overload!
Baby lynx - this little feline was born last spring and will stay with its mother for roughly ten months, at which point the mother is ready to mate again. They can bear litters every year, depending on food supply.
Lynx live in thick forests with lots of undergrowth, which are home to their main food source - snowshoe hares. This also makes it difficult to photograph them. I found myself in many awkward positions yesterday, trying to find unobstructed views. This moment was brief as it was snuggled up to its mother but I was able to make a couple of nice images.
Enjoy, and thank you for following along.
Colin
Alaska Day Lynx, 2020
Yesterday marked 153 years since Alaska was purchased from Russia in 1867, though the holiday is being observed today, Monday, October 19. I could not have asked for better company to spend this special day with - a mother lynx with kits.
Happy Alaska Day, 2020!
Colin
Last Light in Denali
Last light of the day in Sable Pass, Denali National Park. The fall colors are going fast here, soon to be (hopefully) covered with fresh snow as it makes its way further down the mountains with each passing storm.
Have a great Monday, wherever you are.
Colin
Denali - "The Tall One"
Here's another look at North America's tallest peak, Denali. I'm still editing through photos from my recent trip into the park. Even though the wildlife sightings were scarce, the weather was beautiful and we had great views of "The Tall One" from many different locations.
Hope you enjoy, and thank you for following along!
Colin
Northern Hawk Owl
After my day in Denali National Park last week, I spent a few days in Fairbanks waiting for the skies to clear in hopes of auroras. On Saturday I drove around the Delta Junction area until I found a great place to set up for the lights. It turned out that I was a day early for the auroras, but I did see and photograph my first northern hawk owl!
Enjoy, and thank you for following along.
Colin
Autumn Equinox in Denali
Hello and Happy Autumn, everyone! This is where I spent the autumnal equinox last week - in the shadow of North America's tallest peak. Wildlife sightings weren't as abundant as I'd hoped for but we had wonderful weather in the park with varying perspectives of Denali throughout the day.
There is still plenty of fall color in South Central Alaska but it's going fast, so I will enjoy it while I can. As always, thank you for following along!
Colin
Denali at sunrise, September 22, 2020
Autumn Bull Moose
Bull moose in fall colors, taken recently on a crisp, sunny morning. This is a healthy bull going into his prime years and next year his antlers will likely grow even larger.
Hey if you or anyone you know is interested in sharpening their camera skills, I have just one spot left in this weekend's "Intermediate Wildlife Photography Class" at the Eagle River Nature Center (Alaska). There will be a Zoom class Friday evening followed by 3-hour individual lessons throughout the weekend. Cost is $85, more details and registration here: https://www.ernc.org/courses/intermediate-wildlife-photography?fbclid=IwAR17nEwWRXVWLYasWBB2eEyZrWmh-2QiU75ERPtamHIGMudmFxMqYhYeSMI
Thank you and feel free to share!
Colin
Headlong into Autumn
It feels like we're going headlong into autumn with our first touch of frost this morning. The temps and the colors are changing fast here and it looks like a few sunny days and chilly nights are in store.
Have a great weekend, wherever you are, and thank you for following along!
Colin
Eagle Peak Emerges from Morning Fog
Eagle Peak reveals itself as the enveloping morning fog lifts into the sunlight in this time lapse video. It looks like we've got a beautiful weekend ahead of us in South Central AK so get out & enjoy the autumn sunshine if you can!
Thank you for following,
Colin
September Brown Bear
Being able to stay submerged in 35˚ water for an extended time is a testament to the layers of insulation these bears pack on every year at the end of summer. There weren't many salmon to be had but the photo opportunities were abundant on this morning!
Reminder that I am teaching a wildlife photography class at the Eagle River Nature Center on the weekend of September 18-20. There will be a Zoom class on Friday evening followed by 3-hour individual lessons on Saturday & Sunday and there are only two spots left! Cost is $85, more details and registration here: https://www.ernc.org/courses/intermediate-wildlife-photography?fbclid=IwAR17nEwWRXVWLYasWBB2eEyZrWmh-2QiU75ERPtamHIGMudmFxMqYhYeSMI
Happy Monday out there and thank you for following along. Feel free to share!
Colin
National Wildlife Day 2020
Happy National Wildlife Day 2020! This morning was a little more productive in terms of fauna, with this healthy looking bruin on the lookout for salmon.
This is also a reminder that I am teaching an intermediate wildlife photography class at the Eagle River Nature Center in two weeks. Cost is $85 and there are only two spots left. There will be a Zoom class on Friday evening, September 18, followed by 3-hour individual sessions with everyone throughout the weekend. More details and registration at the following link: https://www.ernc.org/courses/intermediate-wildlife-photography
Thank you for following along and have a great weekend!
Colin
Foggy Autumn Morning Time Lapse
Wildlife activity was slow yesterday morning but the rolling fog and autumn colors were wonderful, so I decided to create a short time lapse video.
Enjoy!
Colin
September Wildlife Photography Class
Hello everyone! Looks like we've got a few more soggy days ahead of us, as it goes with this time of year. Hey I am offering an intermediate wildlife photography course later this month at the Eagle River Nature Center (Alaska). There will be a Zoom class on Friday evening, Sept. 18, followed by 3-hour individual sessions with me throughout the weekend. Space is limited due to the individual lessons and two of the five spaces are already filled, leaving room for 3 more (however I could take 2 or 3 family members in one session). Cost is $85 and attendees must have either taken one of my beginning courses or have a firm grasp of shooting in manual exposure mode. Follow the link below to register.
Thank you and stay dry out there!
Colin
https://www.ernc.org/courses/intermediate-wildlife-photography
Kenai Brown Bears Instead of Iceland
I keep mulling over the fact that I should be in Iceland right now getting ready to lead a tour. I was scheduled to depart yesterday but since traveling there isn't possible right now, I made the best of a beautiful summer day and found some Alaskan brown bears fishing for salmon. All in all, it was a good alternative.
Have a great weekend out there!
Colin
Young brown bear fishing for salmon in the Kenai River
Moose Monday, August Edition
Summer is winding down and this guy's antlers are almost finished growing for the season. Soon he will shed the nourishing velvet layer and carry his polished crown into early winter, when it will be dropped to make room for next year's.
Happy Moose Monday out there!
Colin
Timing and Perspective
This is one of two local bull moose I've been watching and photographing this season and I recently captured an intense moment while it was feeding. The pose appears intimidating, though it was really just a matter of timing and being eye-level with my subject that I was able to come away with this image in the brief moment that he raised his head and moved positions. So I guess one could say that sometimes both timing and perspective are everything.
Have a great day out there and thank you for following along!
Colin
Image taken with Nikon D850.
