The September rains have been persistent, but that doesn't put a damper on guiding wildlife photography tours. Last week I made my first trip to Lake Clark National Park with two clients. It rained the entire day, yet we still had a great time and since the weather is out of one's control, all you can do is make do with the light you have, and rough weather often makes for dramatic images.
Colin
Aerial Photos of Knik & Colony Glaciers
An aerial view of Knik & Colony glaciers, taken on a doors-off helicopter tour with Outbound Adventures in May. The first image is one of my favorites, with the pools of blue water leading toward the Chugach Mountains. I returned for another flight later in May with a tour client. Observing the patterns and textures in the ice, crevasses, and glacial blue water from above is mesmerizing! We also made three separate landings - one next to Lake George, one on Knik Glacier next to a pool, and the last was on a ridge above Knik Glacier.
Colin
Knik Glacier
A pool next to our landing on Knik Glacier
Knik Glacier
Knik Glacier
Lake George and Colony Glacier
Moose Swimming in Turnagain Arm
Last month, while guiding a client for Alaska Photo Treks, I witnessed something I had never seen before. We made a stop to photograph the coastline and incoming tide when I spotted what looked like a log floating in Turnagain Arm. Upon closer inspection, we realized it was a moose swimming away from shore toward the mudflats. It walked along the flat briefly, then returned to the channel and swam around a rocky point before returning to the beach.
As I was expecting to photograph moving water and tidal zones, I left my telephoto lens behind. Looking back, the wider angle probably gave it a better sense of place and scale. It was a very unique opportunity for both the client and me!
Colin
Turnagain Arm Reflection
In a place notorious for wind and rain, moments like these don’t happen often. I’ve been driving along Turnagain Arm 3 - 4 times per week this summer while guiding for Alaska Photo Treks and have had some beautiful and unique experiences (see my post of the moose swimming in Turnagain Arm), but this might be my favorite. It was taken yesterday morning when the low tide and calm weather provided a perfect composition. I was leading a tour and told the guests that it’s a subjective statement and can’t really be quantified, but this is the nicest day I’ve seen on the arm yet this year!
As always, thank you for following,
Colin
Turnagain Arm, Aug 3, 2025
Annual Eagle River Nature Center Fireweed Saison at Odd Man Rush Brewing
If you are a regular visitor to the Eagle River Nature Center, you've probably noticed some changes in recent years. First, the Salmon Viewing Deck was beautifully rebuilt in 2022 and now offers the same stunning views from a sturdier structure with excellent interpretive signs. Second, the local beavers dammed the creek (pictured here) the following year and created a much larger pond, which now hosts a variety of waterfowl.
I took this on a golden evening in early June when the reflection was too perfect to resist. If you enjoy the photograph and are a fan of local brew, you will soon find it on the labels of the annual "Eagle River Nature Center Fireweed Saison" from Odd Man Rush Brewing. Stop by and grab some cans to go, maybe add one to your mantel...
Cheers!
Colin
Great Horned Owl, Stealthy and Elusive
I recently had the opportunity to observe a great horned owl near my place. It was in the same tree for several hours, allowing me to try numerous angles and compositions with a variety of lighting conditions. After getting some dramatic poses, I decided to intentionally camouflage the owl in its surroundings to convey the elusive nature of these birds. Notice how the feathers blend almost perfectly with the birchbark in the second photo, and you soon realize you've probably walked right past these stealthy creatures on many occasions…
Natural camouflage
Juvenile Owl in Morning Light
I had a brief but rewarding encounter with a juvenile great horned owl recently. The side lighting and soft greenery framed this little fuzzball perfectly...
Colin
Chugach Swans
I've had some version of this image in mind for a while. Last week it all came together perfectly. Trumpeter swans in morning sun with the Chugach Mountains creating a dramatic backdrop...
Colin
Beaver & Morning Reflection
Another gift from last week's calm, frosty morning...
I'd been trying to get a unique photo of the beavers working on their dam for a while now and having lived in this valley for more than a decade, I've learned to use (and sometimes prefer) reflected light vs. direct. In this case, the still water held a vibrant reflection of the mountainside in morning sun, creating a perfect canvas for the image in my mind’s eye.
Thank you for following,
Colin
www.colintyler.com
A Cold, Still Morning at the Eagle River Nature Center
Reflecting on a beautiful morning at the Nature Center last week...
After an evening of rainstorms with hail and thunder (a rare occurrence here), the sky cleared overnight and the temperature plummeted, leaving a thin layer of ice on the viewing decks and a perfect reflection.
As always, thank you for following.
Colin
Mother's Day Sunrise on Denali
Mother’s Day began with the golden light of sunrise on North America’s tallest mountain, Denali. I was in Talkeetna to photograph the Clean Air Challenge benefit bike. It was a beautiful weekend with stunning views of Denali and the Alaska Range, which provided a wonderful backdrop for the riders, and the event brought in more than $255,000 for the American Lung Association!
Final Aurora Tour of the Season
And just like that, the 2024/2025 aurora tour season has drawn to a close!
This marks the end of my 4th season guiding aurora tours for Alaska Photo Treks. We had to drive a bit to find clear skies and luckily, the clouds parted as we continued northward. As the sky was still glowing twilight at midnight, the lights came out and put on a brilliant display against the 'gloaming' - an Old English poetic term for twilight that I just learned...
The guests were thrilled, and I was happy to end the season with a successful outing!
Colin
Happy Earth Day, 2025
It's an overcast day here without much color but I am going outside to enjoy the fresh air and reflect on 12 years since I was abruptly uprooted and redirected onto a new path, as I always do on this day. It was devastating yet liberating, and there is always a lesson...
Meanwhile, I have been out chasing the many moods of spring in Alaska, from late season snowfall to foggy mornings and the sounds of birds.
Have a good day, and I hope you can get out to enjoy a moment of solitude and reflection.
Colin
Mallard in spring snow
Foggy morning at the Eagle River Nature Center, Chugach State Park
American dipper
Rise of the Phoenix
There could be many interpretations here, based on one's life experience and much more, but I see the figure of a bird in upward flight. This was a very active corona formation during the recent geomagnetic storm, taken while leading a tour for Alaska Photo Treks. It was a brilliant display, and I will have more to share in the coming days.
Have a great weekend and thank you for following!
Colin
Active Aurora
There's been a lot happening in the sky lately and if you don't stay awake long enough, you'll miss it...
Taken around 4 am this morning. Alaska Photo Treks is keeping me busy these days. Check them out if you're visiting Anchorage and would like a guided aurora viewing adventure: https://alaskaphototreks.com/
Cheers!
Colin
Spring Storm!
Spring arrived like a storm, a geomagnetic storm to be exact!
This was taken last night while guiding a tour for Alaska Photo Treks. Our group was very happy, and we had the opportunity to photograph a marriage proposal under the aurora (she said yes!)
Happy aurora chasing - this is the most active time of year...
Cheers!
Colin
Namibian Independence Day 2015
Today marks 35 years of independence for Namibia. A gem of Southern Africa, it is one of the youngest nations on the entire continent and one of the best functioning democracies.
I look forward to returning to Namibia this October to lead our 4th tour of that country. We've added a few days in Botswana and a day trip to Victoria Falls as well, and we are filling up fast!
If you or anyone you know is interested in joining the 2025 Southern Africa Adventure (Oct 19 - Nov 2) with Nat Expo Tours, please email me - we have a few spots left. More info and a detailed itinerary (plus testimonials from previous guests) here: https://natexpotours.com/2025-namibia/
Sending good wishes to Namibia on this anniversary!
Colin
Himba village
Oryx, Namib-Naukluft National Park
Zebras, Onguma Private Game Reserve
Sossusvlei dry ancient lakebed, Namib-Naukluft National Park
alaskaWILD 2024 People's Choice Award
I am honored that my image "Paws and Reflect" was not only selected for alaskaWILD 2024, a traveling exhibition curated by Alaska Society of Outdoor and Nature Photographers, but was also awarded "People's Choice" after receiving more than 400 votes from various venues around Alaska! This was revealed last night at the monthly ASONP members' meeting.
I belong to ASONP and also serve on the board of directors. If you are an avid photographer, I encourage you to visit their website and consider joining. It's a great organization for networking with other photographers and there are many opportunities for workshops and excursions, both in Alaska and abroad: https://asonp.org/
Cheers!
Colin
“Paws and Reflect”
A Deeper Look at Havana
Havana, Feb 21, 2025 - our first full day with the group. After visiting the plazas, the Malecón (seawall), and other famous sites around the city, our guide took us to some less visited areas, including a boxing gym run by former Cuban heavyweight champion Radamé Castillo. While he trains the next generation of Cuban boxers, across from the ring families whose casas crumbled years prior are living in makeshift "homes" consisting of sections cordoned off with sheets, tarps, and whatever is available for some semblance of privacy. What was supposed to be a temporary situation now looks to be indefinite...
This was my 6th visit to Cuba since 2018. In that time, I have seen the amount of commerce steadily decline, along with the vibrant street scenes and nightlife. Nevertheless, time has shown that the Cuban people are resilient and resourceful. While I am certain they will navigate the current economic hardships brought about by diplomatic challenges and intensified by the pandemic, I can't help but empathize with them and feel satisfaction knowing that our visits offer some support to our guides, drivers, hosts, street vendors, and others.
To visit Cuba with Nat Expo Tours is very much a cultural experience. We explore the cities and the countryside, museums, national parks, and more. Our guests inevitably experience a full range of emotions and leave with a sense of gratitude and appreciation for the opportunity to connect with some of our closest neighbors. Dates for the February 2026 tour are posted on on our website: https://natexpotours.com/2023-cuba/
Please message me if you are interested in experiencing Cuba with us!
Colin
www.colintyler.com
Cuba 2025, Havana
We just wrapped up our 2025 Cuba Tour with Nat Expo Tours. Our group was wonderful - everyone had a great time and was equally moved by the interactions we had with the Cuban people. We spent the first two days in Havana, walking around the city with our guide, Yasel, and exploring places that were new even to me.
Aside from the quintessential locales and photographing the classic cars, we visited areas off the beaten "tourist" path and witnessed some of the realities of life in Cuba. This time I trained my camera on these aspects, the often overlooked and downtrodden, and will share those images next.
We've got the dates up for next year's Cuba tours, with two sets of dates available. More info and a detailed itinerary here: https://natexpotours.com/2023-cuba/
Please contact me if you are interested in joining us, and thank you for following,
Colin
