The Hartney Bay Experience

» Posted by admin on Jun 22, 2010 in Adventure, Alaska, Alaska Photo Tour, Chugach National Forest, color, Cordova, Dave Taylor, glaciers, Humor, Landscapes, moose, Mountains, Panoramic, Prince William Sound, Rain Forest, Shorebird Migration, Spring, Wildlife | 4 comments

Hartney Bay is well known for the visiting migratory birds. This location sees a lot of birds the first week of May.

How many?

Oh… around 5 million. Give or take.

Two photography tips for this location in May? Yeah… you’ll thank me later.

Tip #1 – Wear rain gear at all times. Might be a good idea for your camera gear too.

Tip #2 – Don’t EVER look up with your mouth open. Those aren’t wet snow flakes. Well, they may be. But do you really want to take that chance?

You’re welcome.

Hartney Slough Twilight Pano. ©2010 Dave Taylor/Sixtyone North - CLICK TO ENLARGE

Annnnnnyway. In mid June, there are less birds and associated poop to dodge.

The grass that grows in Hartney Slough is thick and lush green.

The river is constantly changing appearance. When the tide is out, it is just few feet deep and is mainly clear with a light silty tint to it. When the tide comes back in, the river creeps up the grassy banks of the slough and takes on a beautiful milky blue cast. Evidence of it’s glacial source.

This place, where ocean meets land, embodies the Prince William Sound. Perhaps all of Alaska. It is snow falling high in the mountains, compacting to ice over eons, drifting slowly & inexorably downhill. It crushes those same mountains into rock, pebbles, and fine powder. The glaciers melt and carry the same silt downstream, tumbling through deep dark rainforest. It collects fallen trees, leaves, and plant life and carries them through the sloughs and finally the sea. This is life, death, and rebirth.

And everything in between.

Moose and Calves. ©2010 Dave Taylor/Sixtyone North (Canon 5D mk 2, 100-400 @ 310mm. 1/60" at f6.3, ISO 3200)

Stay tuned.