Sunday, September 30, 2007

Early season waterfowl

June, 2007

One of the things about being in Southeast Alaska in the "early" part of the season is the chance to see all sorts of waterfowl in their bright and blazing breeding plumage. Here are a pair of Barrow's Goldeneye males all decked out in their finest feathers looking to attract females.

Taking flight with the help of those HUGE feet!

Perhaps the most beautiful duck in all of Southeast Alaska, the male harlequin duck in breeding colors. This one is for you Tim Voss!

All of the effort that goes into attracting a female...

Harlequin's taking flight in the calm waters of Baranof Island.

Reflections of Southeast Alaska

June, 2007

Lately I have been reflecting on just how lucky I am to visit and photograph the places I do. The world is filled with those magical places that bring a sense of balance and wholeness into our lives. New and exciting places are always welcomed, but there are also places that just get better and better as I come to know and recognize the subtle nuances of a location.

So it is with Southeast Alaska. 2007 marked my 8th summer in a row here, and with luck and good karma I may have many more to come! The wildlife is absolutely off the charts, but it is often the quiet and solitude that make this place so amazing. The image above is the entrance to Red Bluff Bay on Baranof Island.

The "golden hour" is of course the time to revel in the majesty, here on my own in Takatz Bay.

Life in Southeast is not for the faint of heart. Rugged, self-reliant, and independent people are found in all sorts of tiny and remote places, like here in Tenakee Springs on Chichagof Island.

A VERY busy summer day in the small town of Baranof Warm Springs, no room at the dock!

Recently converted to a bed and breakfast, the lighthouse in the five fingers island group.

Sunset over the Fairweather range in Icy Strait.

Snow melt waterfall on Baranof Island.

Reflections in the skiff's wake in the waters of LeConte Glacier, just outside Petersburg.

Sunset over Admiralty Island from the Colt Island anchorage.
Visit www.wildlifeimages.net to see my other photos.

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Galapagos Marine critters

May, 2008

The waters surrounding the enchanted isles also offers a plethora of curious and interesting critters to photograph. Large and small these animals show little fear of man as they haul out or swim on or near the beaches of these magnificent islands!

A curious Galapagos Sea Lion pup on Espanola Island.

White-tipped reef sharks foraging in the surf on Bartolome Island.

Adult ghost crabs posturing on the beach on Bartolome Island.

Young Galapagos fur seal on Isabella Island near sunset.

Young Galapagos sea lion swimming in Gardner Bay on Espanola Island

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

The Galapagos are going to the birds!!!

September 19, 2007

WHEW! I am finally back in the office after an incredible summer of shooting and traveling. Thank you for being patient as I am finally updating this blog with images from the Galapagos, Alaska, Norway, Svalbard, and finally Canada. Look for new photos in the next few weeks as I bring you images of "how I spent my summer vacation!!" A special thanks to all who have written wondering if I had simply fallen off the planet. As Mark Twain would say; "rumours of my demise are greatly exaggerated."

Adult great blue heron posing for a still life :)

Adult male great frigatebird "advertising" his fitness with an expanded gular pouch.

The nocturnal swallow-tailed gull in flight at dusk.

Galapagos hawk in nest at sunset.

An adult waved albatross at breeding colony.

An adult yellow warbler at sunset.
Two greater pink flamingos forming a heart shape with those long necks!
An adult American oystercatcher bathing in a tide pool.

Adult brown pelican in breeding plumage.
Adult Nazca booby in flight.

Visit http://www.wildlifeimages.net/to see my other photos.