Sixtyone North » Shorebird Migration

The Hartney Bay Experience

admin — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 06:44:30 +0000

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.

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.

Stay tuned.

Announcement: Project Black & Blue

admin — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 05:26:26 +0000

The world’s moving so fast, the man who says it can’t be done is interrupted by someone doing it.

- Elbert Hubbard

2010 will be the 6th straight year that I’ve been shooting solely in Alaska. In truth, it feels as if I’ve just arrived. Everything is still new and fresh to me, even though I have experienced it (whatever “it” is) several times now, in most cases. I’ve witnessed glaciers calving, both from a boat and from just across a raging river. I’ve seen humpback whales hurling their 40 ton bodies into the air, then the added blessing of seeing young whales being nurtured by mothers.

I’ve watched pods of orca actively hunting, and sea otters frolicking in water so close that I could literally reach out and touch them (Dave Taylor & Sixtyone North take no responsibility for missing digits and or limbs in this pursuit – darn lawyers…). I’ve been 18 inches from a wild 800 pound brown bear on the Katmai Coast and a few feet from Dall sheep – including large rams, ewes and a very young lamb.

I’ve stood atop glaciers as they shuddered beneath during an “ice quake”, and rappelled deep into crevasses to catch a glimpse of their “inner workings”.

I have witnessed incredible sunrises and sunsets in some of the most remote and beautiful country anywhere on the planet. It has been a brilliant 5 years, the best of my life to be certain. If it were to all end tomorrow I would be happy with my life and the things I had seen. However, I look forward to many more “5 year reflections”. I have taken many photos and will continue to do so (insert omnipresent deity of your choice here) willing.
But what have I given back in return? Sure, I still offer free advice to photographers planning a trip to “America’s Last Frontier”, and I offer instructional photo workshops & tours throughout this great state. But what have I given back to our community, or our environment – from which I’ve taken so much?

A Note on Personal Projects

This text is taken from a slide that I used at my recent “Wild Lands & Wild Life” Presentations in Chicago. It regards my feelings on personal projects. In case there is any question after reading the bullet points – PERSONAL PROJECTS ARE GOOD.

They can give focus
They can reignite your passion for photography
They can be a kick start to your career
They can raise awareness
They can change people’s perceptions
They can start a movement
They can define you as an artist
They can open up other opportunities
They can create a legacy

With that in mind, I set out looking for a project to focus my attention on. Something that I could throw myself at “schedule permitting”. After all, I work 2 full time jobs as it is, so time and scheduling are always a concern. That required it to be reasonably nearby and reasonably accessible. It needed to be grand though, something on a massive scale and capable of filling an extended time frame. I needed to be both intimated and inspired by it at the same time. Why? Because that’s how I work, I like the challenge. I needed to have access to local resources, primarily for logistics. I needed the project to play to my strengths as well as tackle some weaknesses (again, part of the whole “challenge” aspect).

But most importantly, I needed this project to have impact. On a personal level, an environmental level, and hopefully on a world level.

Hey. Go big, or go home. amiright?

It turns out, the answer had been staring me in the face for the past several years. One of my first trips out on the ocean was to photograph gray whales in the Prince William Sound area. Since then I’ve been photographing different sections of the Prince William Sound (PWS). Every minute I spend there is a gift. So much diversity. Both in wildlife and land/seascapes. Even on a cold and rainy day (and I’ve had plenty of those), the views are as if rendered by a painters brush of a land lost in time. It is a staggeringly beautiful region. And it is only a 1 hour drive from Anchorage.

The PWS is a fluid combination of seemingly endless coastline, threaded with thousands of cascading waterfalls. It is rocky shores and calving glaciers, trackless wilderness and snow drenched mountains. There are millions of shore and sea birds that call this area home throughout the year. The protected waters teem with bobbing sea otters, porpoising Steller sea lions, diving seals, hunting orca, and migrating whales. And around every corner is a new island only “recently” resurrected from the last ice age.

But in the early morning of March 24, 1989, that pristine beauty was shattered. The oil tanker Exxon Valdez struck Bligh Reef just beyond the Valdez Narrows on its way to California, dumping nearly 11 million of its 54.1 million gallons of oil into the eastern Prince William Sound.

The effects on the surrounding wildlife and landscape were nothing short of disastrous. According to scientific reports and first hand witnesses, thousands of animals died immediately. It is estimated that up to 500,000 seabirds, at least 1,000 sea otters, hundreds of harbor seals, 250 bald eagles, and 22 orca were killed.

In the weeks, months and years ahead, over 11,000 Alaskans came together to clean up the spill. But recently, studies have shown that over 26,000 gallons of oil still cover sections of the Prince William Sound coastline. The oil is still being ingested by the smallest of creatures, which in turn are hunted by larger and larger prey – contaminating the entire life cycle of The Sound’s inhabitants.

Project Black & Blue

2014 will be the 25th anniversary of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill. “Project Black & Blue” will span the next five years (2010-2014) and document the current state of The Sound, the cleanup efforts (from the day of the spill through current tactics), the wildlife and landscapes affected, and the people involved. This will be an aerial project. Boat based. Land based. Underwater. The latest tools will be implemented; high resolution digital cameras, shooting both still images and HD video. But rather than working in seclusion and unveiling a finished project in 5 or 6 years, “Project Black & Blue” will be a transparent process. I plan to post updates as the project moves along & yeah, there may be lulls. Get over it, it’s my project. There may be spurts of activity as well – this is a time/funding allowed project. Sooooo… I’m going to conduct it like I pursue all of my passions.

Throw myself into it at 110% and wait for a clerk to hand me a restraining order. Ok, so that never really happened. Really!

There will be interviews, photos, videos, and questions. Every step along the way. And questions I hope you can help answer.

So what are the long term goals for this project? First off, impact. How do I attain that? Using the photos and footage I will capture, in articles, books, internet resources, prints, cards, etc.

Hey. Go big or go home!

But I need your help. Especially you, my fellow Alaskans. Do you know a pilot, or a boat owner/captain, someone who was involved in the original cleanup or subsequent research projects involving the effects of the spill on the environment? Please email me or have them contact me if they might be willing to help in the logistic hurdles this project will have, in spades.

What is Your Project?

So here is my challenge for you. What can you do in your community? What project can you undertake? Big or small. Self indulgent or awareness/movement building. How can your photography make a difference? After all, you’ve been taking pictures for a long time too? Is it time for you to give back? Do you have a project, either a consideration or something that you are actively pursuing? Post it below in the comments & invite everyone along for the ride.

Here are a few more points from my latest presentation, in closing.

Do not wait for opportunities to come along
Create them and maximize their potential
Do not wait for things to fall into place
Put them there
There isn’t anyone who will work as hard as you, for you
If there is, you aren’t pushing yourself hard enough

Go big.

Stay tuned…

Workshop Announcement: Alaska's Southern Coast. June 11-18, 2010!

admin — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 22:38:01 +0000

This is the workshop I’ve been subtly hinting about for a while now. I’m very excited to be hosting this workshop along with my good friend Gary Gullett. Gary is the owner and founder of Chicago Photo Safaris, and we met over 1 year ago while photographing the wild waters wildlife of Kenai Fjords National Park.

No kidding, this is going to be a long post. I’ve written a trip description for our workshop/adventour – you will find it below. If you have any questions regarding this amazing photo workshop, please feel free to email any time. I will respond as quickly & completely as I can. If this trip sounds like something you want to do, consider this – it will fill quickly. Before the trip was formally announced, we’ve already taken reservations. We are limiting the workshop size to 12 participant photographers. Each participant can also bring a non-photographer spouse/friend at a heavily discounted rate. We are also offering 2 price points for this adventour; a single occupancy rate for travelers wishing for private accommodations, and a double occupancy rate for photographers looking to save a little money by doubling up with another photographer.

Don’t wait, don’t hesitate, don’t delay – reserve your spot now & make an investment in your photography & yourself.

All reservations will be handled by Chicago Photo Safaris. Gary Gullett is presently on a photography trip to Australia, so actual monetary reservations/transactions will likely wait till his return in a few weeks. However, if you have a serious interest in this workshop, please send me an email to get on the workshop list. The people on this list will be called upon Gary’s return to secure their spot, and a reservation deposit will be taken at that time.

For immediate public release.

Photo Workshop: Alaska’s Southern Coast. June 11-18, 2010

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

Get ready for the trip of a lifetime.

Power Creek & Rainforest. Cordova, Alaska.

Sixtyone North & Chicago Photo Safaris are excited to announce this once in a lifetime journey to the pristine southern coast of Alaska. Diverse, beautiful landscapes and a wide variety of wildlife will surround you at every turn on this 8 day photographic adventure workshop.This is where glaciers go to die. Where oceans are born, fed and sustained. Where mountains do not rise from the horizon, they are thrust up with such force that they tear a ragged scar across the sky. Standing guard between the soaring mountains and the cold ocean depths is the ancient Chugach National Forest, the northernmost rainforest on the planet. Sheer cliff faces tower hundreds of feet above the protected ocean waters of the Kenai Fjords and Prince William Sound. You will see colors so vivid, varied and lush that you may initially doubt their authenticity. But just like you, they are here – real, alive, and basking in all of Alaska’s majesty. The wildlife here is truly and simply that. Wild.

Breaching Whale. Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska.

From the moment you land in Anchorage, there is no telling what you will see. Moose wandering across the highway or right downtown in the state’s most populous city. Just outside of Anchorage we will find (at close proximity) nesting Arctic Terns. They have the longest yearly migration of any animal, at 24,000 miles. It’s breeding grounds are right here in Alaska, but soon they will start the long journey south to Antarctica. Nearby are Dall Sheep (the planets only wild, white sheep), perched precariously along steep cliffs above the Seward Highway. Sometimes they venture down right along the side of the road, eating the low grasses nearby. Bald Eagles soar overhead and Beluga Whales porpoise just offshore, in the Turnagain Arm. We will pass through stunning landscapes as we make our way south, to Seward.This small coastal town is the gateway to the Kenai Fjords National Park, and is our base for the next 3 days. From here we will venture out onto the waters of the North Pacific, winding our way between protected bays, stunning fjords and in front of enormous tidewater glaciers. The long days (around 20 hours of daylight) allow this perfect environment to create an immense amount of food for the denizens of the deep. Algae blooms feed the plankton and krill, feeding the small fish and birds, which feed much larger species. Including Dall’s Porpoise, Orca (Killer Whales) and Humpback Whales. We usually only catch glimpses of these marine giants, a geyser of expelled air, the arch of a back, and the silent sliding of a 15 foot wide tail (or fluke) into the ocean. But sometimes, these massive creatures rocket out of the water in a full breach and reveal their full size, before crashing back into the ocean with tremendous force. Sharing the ocean are a wide variety of other species, namely Steller Sea Lions and Harbor Seals. Flying above, and diving below are tens of thousands of sea birds. Gulls, Kittiwakes, Oyster Catchers, Cormorants, Alcids, Auklets, and of course Puffins (both Horned and Tufted) are everywhere.But fighting the wildlife for our attention at every turn are the wild lands. Dramatic islands and sea stacks, rugged coastlines, and thundering glaciers. You have never seen so many shades and intensities of blue, until you’ve visited Alaska. But the one that will be forever etched into your mind, is the deep black-sapphire blue within the newly exposed glaciers. You are staring literally into eternity. It creaks and groans, shutters and booms like an artillery shell exploding, as it moves slowly across the Alaskan landscape. It is a shaper of our world. A mountain crushing, valley carving, fjord chiseling combination of immense beauty and utter power. And we aren’t even half way through our adventure…

A pod of Orca surface in the Kenai Fjords National Park.

After a few days exploring this busy port and the surrounding Kenai Fjords, we head East to locations a bit less traveled and more remote. Cordova, Alaska. We will truly be taking the “roads” less traveled over the next several days. First we must cross the Prince William Sound on a high speed catamaran ferry. The 110 miles will fly smoothly by beneath us in only 3 hours. Sit back and relax in comfort and watch the beautiful Sound glide by, or stand on the back deck of the ferry and take in the surroundings in the open air. Tidewater glaciers are tucked back in the fjords, and the Sound is pock marked with dozens of uninhabited islands. You may never realize that this same area was devastated twice in the last 45 years. In 1964, the Good Friday Earthquake summoned up a tsunami that wiped out several communities. Then, on March 24th in 1989, the Exxon Valdez ran aground on Bligh Reef in the Northeastern corner of the Sound. It spilled 10.8 million gallons of crude oil into the pristine waters outside of Valdez, Alaska. Over the next few months and years, the oil spill directly caused the deaths of over 250,000 seabirds, over 3,000 sea otters, 300 harbor seals, 250 bald eagles, and 22 orca. Devastating is an understatement.
But today, the wildlife is back, as we will see upon arrival in Cordova. Dozens of bald eagles perch in trees near our lodge and all along the coastline, soaring above the quiet waters of Orca Inlet. And just offshore, we’ll float among sea otters. Not just one or two, but dozens and perhaps hundreds! We are timing our journey to see the newborn pups cradled atop their mother’s chests. These adorable animals have the densest fur of any animal, up to 150,000 strands of hair per square centimeter. Cordova is the unofficial sea otter capital of the world, and the photographic opportunities here are endless.

Sea Otter, Prince William Sound, Alaska.

But sea otters are just a little of what our Cordova base camp has to offer. You will be hard pressed to find a more diverse landscape, anywhere. The Chugach Rain Forest dives inland right from the coastline, sweeping up the lower ramparts of the surrounding mountain ranges. It is lush in every sense of the word. Old growth. Trackless. Dark. Mysterious and draped in vibrant silvery green moss. This forest will suck us in, enveloping us in its history. Glacier and snow melt fed streams rush through the forest, a milky turquoise blue coursing through the deep forest. A cool mist hangs in the air. The forest is still, yet alive all around us. We will walk the shores of nearby lakes, fog shrouded and lit warm by the early morning sun cresting the ridges above. Ducks, geese and grebes are everywhere – raising their young families in this idyllic and tranquil setting.

Canada Geese & fog. Eyak Lake, Cordova, Alaska.

Child's Glacier. Near Cordova, Alaska.

We will pass over the Copper River (the 10th largest river in the United States), as it fans out into the Copper River Delta after its 300 mile journey from deep within the Wrangell Mountains. The Delta is the largest wetlands along the Pacific Coast of North America. This area is the annual stop over for 16 million shorebirds (including all of the worlds Western Sandpipers) and the largest population of nesting Trumpeter Swans on the planet. We will watch for bear and moose as well, as they frequent the trails to be explored. Further on, the Delta changes shape. It is a stark plain in comparison to the nearby rainforest. Grey waters rush by with amazing power, tearing trees from their roots and carrying them down stream. Ancient ghost forests struggle to remain standing against the torrent. But beyond looms the massive Child’s Glacier. We will be given a unique opportunity to witness the raw power of a glacier as it slowly tears through the Alaskan landscape. We will set up less than 1/4 mile from the glaciers terminus, and photograph it for several hours as it crashes over and over into the undercutting Copper River. This will give us ample time to study multiple facets of this natural wonder as it slowly dies the same death it has been undergoing for several thousand years, up close and personal. We will have a great meal prepared on site (over open fire) as we study the dynamics of glacial geology, through our lenses. Eating steaks, munching on s’mores, and sipping at wine as one of the most awe inspiring sights crashes directly in front of us. Over and over again.
Natural drama doesn’t get any bigger than in Alaska. And this is Alaska’s best kept secret. There are opportunities too great to pass up. This is one of those. Are you ready?
Beautiful & grand landscapes. Diverse & awe-inspiring creatures. Witness your dream adventure come true. Witness Alaska’s Wild Lands & Wild Life.

Sea Otter Mom & Pupp. Prince William Sound, Alaska.

Itinerary:

June 10-11 – Arrive in Anchorage prior to 12 PM local time in preparation for tour departure at 6 PM local time on June 11th. We will make our way south from Anchorage to Seward, on the Kenai Peninsula. Along the way, we will look for a variety of migratory and resident bird species, Dall Sheep, and Beluga Whales. That’s just in the first hour of the drive! We will circumnavigate much of the Turnagain Arm (a fjord that cuts east of the Cook Inlet), then drive over Turnagain Pass. There will be lush fields of lupine to consider for subjects as well. We will pass glacially fed streams and lakes, and be surrounded by vast mountain ranges throughout our journey to Alaska’s southern coast. Once checked in at our Seward lodging, we will check into our the harbor and coastline just outside our door, looking for Bald Eagles, Sea Otters, and Steller Sea Lions. We may also see Humpback Whales right from the Seward waterfront! For those not minding a late night, we will take part in an optional sunset shoot (weather dependent). Overnight in Seward.

Wild Columbine. Near Cordova, Alaska.

June 12 – Optional sunrise shoot in beautiful Resurrection Bay. We will board a small boat tour early in the morning for our full day boat adventure into the incredible Kenai Fjords National Park. A light breakfast and delicious lunch will be served onboard this small boat cruise. We will be on the constant look out for Humpback Whales and Orca (Killer Whales), as well as Dall’s Porpoise, Steller Sea Lions, Sea Otters, Harbor Seals and more. There are tens of thousands of birds that call the Kenai Fjords region home through the summer months; Bald Eagles, Cormorants, Gulls, Auklets & of course Puffins! We will also visit one of the dozens of tidewater glaciers in the area. So much variety, so much beauty. Bring your memory cards and extra batteries! Upon arriving back in Seward, we will have dinner (not included) and discuss the days events. After dinner, we will explore more of the surrounding area, perhaps an easy hike to Exit Glacier, along the coastline looking for Sea Otters, continuously surrounded by immense beauty. Optional sunset shoot. Overnight in Seward.

June 13 – Optional sunrise shoot. We will spend our last full day in Seward exploring the area and all the photographic options nearby. Exit Glacier, or perhaps a more strenuous hike (optional) to Tonsina Creek & Point. We will spend part of the afternoon at the Alaska SeaLife Center, where you’ll get the unique opportunity to photograph marine mammals up close & personal, as well as learn all about them from wildlife biologists. We will have our first classroom session and discuss the power and versatility of Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop – bring your laptops so you can follow along and try out your new digital darkroom skills! After the SeaLife Center closes to the public, we will step behind the scenes for a backstage view of the aviary. Walk among puffins and other beautiful sea birds, feed them fish from your hands, and get an amazing opportunity to see these beautiful feathered creatures up close. Following dinner, we will again head out to nearby locations and conduct an optional sunset shoot. Overnight in Seward.

God Beams Over Turnagain Arm. Alaska.

June 14 – Optional sunrise shoot. We will meet for a delicious breakfast at one of Seward’s many great eateries. Then we will check out of our hotel and head north to Whittier. Along the way, we will photograph more wild Alaskan landscapes and watch the beautiful scenery roll by. As we near Whittier, we will stop by Portage Lake to photograph icebergs recently calved from the Portage Glacier at the other end of the lake. Then it’s on to Whittier, and our high speed ferry service to Cordova. We will glide quickly over the pristine Prince William Sound in the comfort of the catamaran. This area is frequented by many varieties of marine wildlife; different whales (Humpback, Minke, and Gray), Orca, Dall’s Porpoise, Steller Sea Lions, Sea Otters, and a wide variety of bird species. We will be moving at nearly 40 mph, but if you close your eyes, you may forget that you are moving at all – the catamaran is so smooth and quiet, even at this speed. Depending on the 2010 schedule, we may stop over in Valdez – the end of the line for the oil delivery pipeline that starts over 800 miles to the north, in Alaska’s North Slope near the Arctic Ocean. Upon arrival in the waters around Cordova, the scenery changes. The water takes on a smooth, quiet appearance. Mountains rise up from the coastline, and all around is rain forest. Welcome to the Chugach. After docking we will check in at the Orca Adventure Lodge, our base for the next five days. We will eat a hearty meal cooked by their skilled chefs and discuss the coming adventure. Optional sunset shoot. Overnight at Orca Adventure Lodge, Cordova.

A Blossom Revealed. Near Cordova, Alaska.

June 15 – Optional sunrise shoot. After a delicious breakfast at the lodge, we will head out to get our first real look at the amazing diversity that surrounds Cordova. Amazing rain forest. Beautiful, glacially fed lakes and streams. Pristine coastline. Lakes & ponds filled with migrating and breeding birds. Endless trails to wander, sloughs to explore, and diverse ecosystems to melt into. This is Alaska at its finest. No crowds, no rushing around. Just our small group exploring these untamed lands. We will have access to 18 foot ocean going skiffs to take our group into Orca Inlet, in search of the not-so-rare Sea Otters that call this area home. We won’t have to look long or hard, they are everywhere! Young & fluffy pups cuddled on their mother’s chests or swimming nearby. Large adults, and even the rare cream colored Sea Otters. Hours of photographic options while floating on these tranquil and protected waters. Optional sunset shoot. Overnight at Orca Adventure Lodge, Cordova.

June 16 – Optional sunrise shoot. Today is another day of grand landscapes. After another great breakfast, we will slowly make our way to the Copper River Delta, and the Child’s Glacier. All along this route, we will be surrounded by wildlife – mostly avian, but we will also watch for the hundreds of local moose and even brown & black bear. There are many Bald Eagles, Trumpeter Swans, Canada Geese and a wide variety of ducks along the way too, so keep those telephoto lenses at the ready. We will pass by several glaciers, and may stop by Sheridan Glacier if people are up for a hike to the edge of its terminal lake. Moose and bear frequent this area, so we will keep our group close and our cameras at the ready!
There really is no way to properly describe the incredible sight that is Child’s Glacier, but we’ll have plenty of time to capture its majesty on “film”. We will spend the rest of the day at the viewing area less than 1/5th of a mile from it’s vertical face. The Copper River is swollen this time of year, and the melt water undercuts the glacier’s terminus, causing it to calve frequently. Massive chunks of ice, some hundreds or even several thousands of years old, fracture off and crash into the cold waters. It never gets old, and the sound and sights will stay with you forever. Plus, you’ll have “pics” to prove it! A great dinner prepared over open fire by a chef from our lodge with your new friends all around, and an awesome sight before you. A nice glass of wine or a local Alaskan microbrew, something to help wash down your hearty meal. Then roasting marshmallows and building s’mores over the campfire… holding a marshmallow stick in one hand, your camera’s remote release in the other. It really is hard to prioritize! It will be difficult, but we will have to head back to our lodge on the coastline, and our comfortable beds for another great nights sleep. A dream filled night, the scent of an open fire or the ocean on your clothes, and a thundering boom deep within a glacier you will never forget. Overnight at Orca Adventure Lodge, Cordova.

June 17 – Optional sunrise shoot. We will cover some of the opportunities we missed on Tuesday (the 15th). Perhaps more time on the water with the otters, bald eagles along the coastline, several options of rainforest hiking. More wild life & wild lands around this hidden gem that is Cordova. We may have another classroom session in the afternoon (weather depending), delving deeper into the power that Photoshop and Lightroom have to offer. There are more waterfalls to discover and explore, more bear to seek out. More photos to take and more stories to share. Optional sunset shoot. Overnight at Orca Adventure Lodge, Cordova.

Nature's Boardwalk. Haystack's Trail near Cordova, Alaska.

June 18 – Optional sunrise shoot. Our final day. After an early breakfast, we will board the ferry for the return trip to Whittier. Once there we will make our way to Girdwood, and the Alyeska ski area. For those that reserved their seats, a flight with Alpine Air is in order! Beautiful, grand aerial views of Alaska’s mountains, valleys, glaciers and oceans. For those wishing to keep their feet on the ground, we will do an easy hike to Virgin Creek Falls, and perhaps the Winner Creek Trail. For the more adventurous, ride the gondola to the ridge line that looks out over Alyeska Resort and Girdwood. Then jump off! For an additional fee, you can fly with an expert paraglider pilot (tandem) over the beautiful slopes and forests below. Then we will make our way along the Turnagain Arm back to Anchorage, watching for Dall Sheep, Bald Eagles and Arctic Terns before dropping you off at your hotels or an optional “Epilogue” dinner at one of Anchorage’s amazing restaurants. Then, your adventure continues wherever your camera takes you, wherever your lens points you, and wherever your heart pulls you.

Note: We will attempt to follow this itinerary whenever possible. But keep in mind that it is rough guideline/suggestion. While pursuing photography, it is best to learn to adapt and then embrace whatever mother nature throws at you. If the weather simply is too hostile to venture into, we will adapt by covering digital darkroom topics in classroom sessions. But if the weather is beautiful, we will forgo those indoor sessions and embrace the good weather outdoors. Naturally, we reserve the right to alter this itinerary at any time. We will make every effort to keep you up to date regarding any changes as early as possible, but any additional costs incurred due to schedule or itinerary changes are the sole responsibility of the participant(s).

This is a whole new class of workshop. Part adventure, part tour. An Adventour!
One thing is for sure, the photo adventure workshop is all about diversity. Prepare yourself for long days in the field, early rises and late evenings. The sun rises around 4 am and sets after 11 pm. Of course, these sunrise and sunset shoots are not mandatory, but they will be offered whenever the weather cooperates. Weather is always a consideration, and the only thing regarding it that can be guaranteed, is that there will be weather. You have set aside valuable time and money to participate in this adventure. Regardless of the weather, we will do everything in our power to maximize your photographic opportunities. Sometimes, this means shooting in less than ideal conditions. Always remember one of Dave’s Photographic Axioms: Weather can make the photograph – good or bad, blizzard or gale. Many people put their cameras away and head back inside when “the weather outside is frightful”. That’s when we head out. Some of the most valuable gear you can buy is good rain gear for yourself and your camera equipment.

Have we piqued your interest yet? Many a photographer has dreamt of an Alaskan adventure, yet the cost of bringing “the right gear” has stymied their plans. The idea of investing not only in the trip of a lifetime, but also high end cameras and lenses to make the trip worthwhile, is down right intimidating. This kind of investment can easily put a trip like this for many photographers. But what if you had gear waiting for you, gear of your choosing? Professional gear… gear that you paid just a fraction of the cost to use, at your leisure while on your tour? Gear that you don’t need to worry about transporting to and from Alaska? We have this solution already in place for you. Everything from fisheye lenses and macro/micros up to the latest (& huge) 600mm f/4 lenses from both Nikon and Canon. And everything in between. Need another camera body for a backup, or have you always wanted to try out a high end pro body made by Canon or Nikon? We’ll arrange it for you through our gear rental partner at Borrowlenses.com. You don’t need to do anything special, just let us know what your needs are (or let us help you figure those out!) and we’ll take care of the rest! We get a discount on our rentals because of the quantities we deal in, and we pass that rate directly on to our clients. Dave Taylor has a long history working with Canon equipment, and Gary will help you pull become very proficient using your Nikon gear.
Running out of excuses, aren’t you?

Sea Otter. Prince William Sound, Alaska.

We are here every step of the way; before, during and after your adventure. We’ll make sure you have everything you need before leaving for Alaska, you’ll get a detailed packing list & suggestions. Have a question about your trip, send Dave an email and he’ll use his on location knowledge to get you feeling confident that you are fully prepared. Once here, Gary and Dave will put every ounce of their effort into making sure that you have a successful photographic journey – through expert instruction and guiding, both in the field and our short but intense classroom sessions. In these sessions we will cover Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop. Topics like image management, layers and layer masks, sharpening, panoramic images and much more will be covered. Photography has several difficult facets to learn. Your guides have years of experience teaching everything from the fundamentals to the most advanced techniques, and have developed teaching methods to simplify this process – speeding your growth and broadening your horizons in the process. You will become more confident, more efficient, and more successful in your photography. You may shoot thousands of images over this week long journey. Photographers have learned, “Pics, or it never happened”. Can you get those pics? We’ll show you how

There is one more option to consider. We are proud to offer a cooperative endeavor with Alpine Air – the premier helicopter flight seeing service in Alaska. Alpine Air has worked closely with several large cinematography projects, professional photographers, and national/international TV shows. And now it’s your turn! We have arranged a reduced rate, and one more incredible opportunity – Alpine Air will take you up in their incredibly maintained 4 seat helicopters, the perfect aerial photography platform. With the doors off. Yep, you read that right – nothing but open air between you, the mountains, mountain ranges, passes, glaciers, icefalls, crevasses, ocean and wide open sky. Well, maybe one thing between you and those things – your camera and wide angle lens! This is an incredible offering, one you don’t want to miss, and one that you will grin broadly at every time your memory floats back to that incredible aerial session over south central Alaska. The sites are amazing, the experience jaw-dropping, the memories… everlasting. Of course, this trip is weather dependent – but if you don’t fly, you don’t pay. Just that simple. A la carte offering to any participant that is interested. Cost: $550 per participant. This may be a good time to add that wide angle image stabilized/vibration reduction lens to your rental order!

Tour Date: June 11-18, 2010

Workshop Leaders: Dave Taylor & Gary Gullett

Group Size: Limited to 12 photographer participants + spouses/friends (non-photographers)

Investment

$3990 (Double Occupancy) – per photographer

$4690 (Single Occupancy) – per photographer

$1990 (Double Occupancy) “Tag-along Rate” – non photographers. Limit 1 “Tag-along” per photographer participant

The non refundable reservation fee is $750 per participant.

Once the tour has filled, we will keep a waiting list in case of emergency cancellations

Because of our small group, this tour will fill quickly. If you think this trip might be just what you have been waiting for, don’t delay, contact us immediately!

Sea Otter Mom & Pupp. Prince William Sound, Alaska

What’s included in your investment: All travel within Alaska from the time we meet in Anchorage on June 11th, till we drop you off back in Anchorage on June 18th. This includes our van service throughout the trip, an extraordinary 10 hour boat trip in Kenai Fjords National Park, the high speed ferry from Whittier to Cordova (and back), and ocean going skiffs for our photography sessions on Prince William Sound (out of Cordova). Also included in your investment is all lodging during the tour, double occupancy rate applied. Should you prefer the privacy of your own room, we also have a single occupancy lodging rate of $3999. Lodging in Seward overlooks the harbor and Resurrection Bay beyond. Want a balcony on your room, just add $30. But do it quickly (these rooms will fill fast!). Lodging in Cordova is at the amazing Orca Adventure Lodge. Secluded and set along the Prince William Sound coastline, this rustic and historic lodge will be our comfortable base of operations for 4 nights. From here you can set yourself adrift in a sea kayak (not included), walk the rugged shoreline, or explore waterfalls and rain forests just outside your door. Included in our stay here is a chef prepared meal at Child’s Glacier – wonderful food in an amazing setting.

Of course, all instruction & guiding is included – both field and classroom sessions from your two dedicated and passionate guides.

Turnagain Arm Flats, Golden Carpet. Alaska.

What’s not included: Any travel expenses to and from Alaska, any lodging & transportation before and after your tour, and meals (except for the Child’s Glacier dinner and breakfast & lunch on Kenai Fjords small boat cruise). Why no meals? Simple – tastes and appetites are too varied to factor into our cost. Tips/gratuities are not included for guides/logistics partners/lodging or restaurant staff. Nor is travel insurance (which we highly recommend) or photographic gear. If you are interested in renting gear at a lower than market value rate, please ask – we’ll be happy to make recommendations for appropriate equipment and arrange everything for you, no worries, no hassles! Beverages & snacks are also not included. Also not included; visas, passports, immunizations (only applicable to foreign travelers), laundry, phone, “pay per view” TV (where available) at lodging, cost of hospitalization or emergency evacuation if necessary.

Requirements: We recommend that you arrive in Anchorage before June 11th at noon. We will be meeting June 11th at 6:00 PM for the start of your tour. Do not make any plans to depart Alaska before June 19th, as we may well go late on June 18th. We require full medication lists and contact numbers in case of emergency. You will also be required to sign a waiver & assumption of risk form, as required by law. You must understand that, by booking your travel with us you are accepting our policies and will agree to follow our guidelines at all times. Our guidelines and policies have been put in place to ensure a safer adventure travel experience, for you (our clients), our guides & logistics partners, and for our planet as well as its inhabitants. Our tours are eco-friendly, and we follow the mainstay ideal of “Take only pictures, leave only footprints”. As the sign says – The client is always correct. Please ask your guide if you are still considered a client.

The Sea Otters of Prince William Sound – Caution, Cuteness Coma Alert!

admin — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 14:00:33 +0000

Grab the Kleenex (Kleenex is a Kimberly-Clark brand), make sure all your manly friends aren’t around to see you, and get ready to feel the need to cuddle up with something soft and warm.

1 week ago, I boarded the high-speed ferry in Whittier, bound for Cordova on the eastern edge of the Prince William Sound. The forecast had changed so many times over the past couple of days, that I really had no idea of what to expect. Honestly, is there anyone out there that can be so wrong, so many times and still get paid for their job. Weather forecasters can barely even tell you what happened yesterday, let alone what will happen tomorrow or the next day. I think they use a Ouija Board, a Magic 8 Ball, and a 24-sided die to make their forecasts. Sorry Al Roker, the people have spoken. Now move along to a respectable, reliable, and predictable line of work, like politics or gambling.

Anyway… I tend to drift a little, but those darn tangents can be fun.

It was raining lightly in Whittier as I came out of the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel. I have never traveled by ferry before, or dealt with the AMHS (Alaska Marine Highway System). Check in is not like at the airport & not like dealing with the TSA. Actually, I have nothing against the TSA – they do a thankless job around people that have to take off their shoes can you say Odor Eaters? (Odor Eaters is a Combe Incorporated brand). Here is my check in conversation:

“Good afternoon, my name is Dave Taylor. I’m on the fast ferry today at 4″

“Hi Dave, can I see your driver’s license. Great, do you have any firearms, explosives, or fuel?”

“None other than in my car:)” Hey… she laughed…

“Ok, here are your tickets. Just pull your car into lane 6 or 7 and have a great trip”

In and out of the check-in building in less than 1 minute. Easy peasy.

Everything is very ordered and neat. You board the boat in a very orderly manner and after parking your car in the parking bay below the passenger deck, you move upstairs to the very comfortable sitting area. This is not like coach on a plane. This is like first class seating, everywhere you look. Oh, and everywhere you look… panoramic views out huge windows. This is a cruise, not a mode of transportation! There are ample power outlets, tables, and comfortable reclining seats with GOOD headrests! And it’s not super expensive. The AMHS offers a deal for travelers driving their cars on – the driver goes free. My round trip ticket with my car was $210. Not too shabby.

The high speed ferry (the M/V Chenega) is a catamaran, and offers a very smooth and quiet ride. The trip to Cordova and back to Whittier 5 days later was a great time to relax and soak up the beauty of the Prince William Sound as it passes by you at nearly 40 knots.

On to Cordova. Cordova is amazing. So much variety nearby and the people are fantastic. It truly is “The Land that the Internet Forgot”. I found 1 wifi spot, at Baja Taco. Baja Taco has great food & questionable wifi. Cordova’s idea of wifi is you tossing your laptop across the room at a high rate of speed. Which is fine for you Dell (dude you should have bought an Aerobie!) users, but my MacBook Pro is no frisbee. But it was actually quite nice to be “unplugged” for the majority of the trip, avert my eyes from my laptop screen and unglue my finger tips from the keyboard. Because Cordova has so much to offer. Surrounded by mountains, rainforests, glaciers and ocean. Both salt and fresh water are either crystal clear or a pale & milky blue from glacial silt. Which brings me to the colors of this area… wow. My retinas are actually stressed because of the intensity of the colors, everything is so lush and vibrant. Brilliant greens in the rain forest and deep, warm browns of tree bark. Wildflowers such as columbine (scarlet), lupine (blue), and geraniun (deep lavendar) blossom this time of year. Then there are the colors of the glacier… the deepest blue you have ever seen. The deep layers of compressed snow and ice haven’t seen daylight in hundreds (or even thousands) of years, but when they get exposed it is like they are lit from within. I’ll have photos posted of all of these subjects over the next several days, so keep checking back!

Oh, and one more thing. I’m heading back to Cordova next year, likely for 2-3 trips. The first will be in early spring for the Shorebird Migration on a solo trip. Then back again around this time of year for 2 separate photography workshops. I think you’ll see why in the upcoming posts. One of the trips is already booked! I’ll have the details on the other trip very soon, so if you are interested in joining Sixtyone North on an amazing photographic adventure, send me an email NOW to get on the list. It will be an all-inclusive 5-day trip (meals/lodging/transportation (during the workshop)/and guiding all included) and is sure to become an annual event. This isn’t offered anywhere else.

But for now, on to the cute fest. The sea otters of eastern Prince William Sound. Awwwwwwwwwwww… where’s that damn box of Kleenex? There are a bunch of images here, so take your time & remember to click on them to see a larger version.

Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris) floating in Prince William Sound

Sea otter (Enhydra lutris) floating in the Prince William Sound

Sea otter with cute baby (Enhydra lutris) floating in the Prince William Sound

Sea otter with baby on chest (Enhydra lutris) floating in the Prince William Sound

Sea otter with baby on chest (Enhydra lutris) floating in the Prince William Sound, in front of ship wreck. Near Cordova, Alaska.

Sea otter with baby on chest (Enhydra lutris) floating in the Prince William Sound

Sea otter with baby floating in the green waters of Prince William Sound, near Cordova, Alaska.

Sea otter pup swimming towards me. Prince William Sound, near Cordova, Alaska.

Sea otter pup on back, floating in Prince William Sound. Near Cordova, Alaska.

Sea otter mother "cruising" with pup on stomach. In the Prince William Sound, near Cordova, Alaska.

Blonde sea otter floating in Prince William Sound, near Cordova, Alaska. Apparently, he thought I did something right. He clapped.

Raft of sea otters, in secluded bay in eastern Prince William Sound. Near Cordova, Alaska.

Aim for the Bullseye

admin — Sat, 16 May 2009 06:42:18 +0000

Just a few quick shots from this past Sunday morning. Glorious weather in Kachemak Bay, too bright for typical landscape photography – so I concentrated on macro photography, areas small enough that I could block the sun with my shadow. Lowering the contrast with the worlds most portable sun shade:) A self-propelled sun visor made specifically for photographing lichen. Me.

I’m unsure of what the actual name of this particular lichen is, but there were several patches of it covering various rocks above the beach in Jakalof Bay. Brilliant colors, and nearly perfectly round in many instances. Incredible shape and color, very complex & yet very simple. Mother nature is a fine artist and has the most varied palette you will ever see.

Bullseye Lichen, Jakalof Bay, Kachemak Bay State Park, Alaska

Bullseye Lichen (Detail), Jakalof Bay, Kachemak Bay State Park, Alaska

Remember to look around. Most importantly, look down. You never know what you’re missing by always looking ahead.

Stay tuned.

Birds. Galore.

admin — Wed, 13 May 2009 05:48:41 +0000

I’d like to start a new dialogue on my website – I hope that you will participate. I post quite a few images on this journal. It’s been a way for me to share my latest work, my writing trials, and my odd sense of humor (don’t worry, I’m back on my meds). Many of you have taken the time to comment on the images displayed here, and I thank you for that. I enjoy the very kind words that I’ve received, but my friends have questioned the effects on my ego:) I learn best through criticism though. So here it is, if you see something that you don’t like in an image – post a comment explaining why. Does the composition strike you the wrong way? Is there a stick lodged in someones head that I missed, or a feather angles in a way that disturbs you? Is the black and white conversion overdone? Do you simply NOT LIKE THE IMAGE? Please, tell me. Don’t worry about being “rude” or “blunt”, I can take it. One caveat. Simply saying “I don’t like it” doesn’t help, give me specifics.

Often times, photographers (myself included) get attached to an image. This is usually directly associated with our experience of being there when the image was created. Not only what was in front of the camera when the shutter was pressed, but the lengths we went to get to that point. The sounds & smells of our surroundings, a cool ocean breeze brushing against exposed skin or a 60 mph gust smashing into us as we anchor our tripods in -50 degree temperatures in the middle of a dark winter night while watching northern lights dance overhead. A good landscape photograph can project more than just awe of a beautiful scene. The viewer may be able to imagine what it would be like to stand in that location. The photographer has the added benefit of actually knowing what it felt like to be there – and this can sway our critical eye into making compromises that can hurt the overall image quality. More importantly, it can stall our growth as a photographer. With that in mind, please feel free to speak your peace. I can’t promise that I will completely alter my methods, but I do want to hear what you have to say & promise to keep an open mind, and attentive ears. “Unleash the hounds!”. Don’t hold back, I appreciate your candidness.

Here are some more images from this weekend. No silhouettes here, just “normal” shots. Unleash the hounds!

Mass Exodus. Click to Enlarge.

I.D. please? I think it's a Sandpiper of some kind. Click to Enlarge.

Down the Hatch. Click to Enlarge.

Stay tuned!

Unreal Color…

admin — Tue, 12 May 2009 06:56:27 +0000

Not too much writing here, just wanted to introduce you to some of the shots I got this past weekend in Homer. There are two main shorebird festivals in Alaska. The first is the Copper River Delta Shorebird Festival, based in Cordova and the eastern Prince William Sound. It is more secluded, logistically challenging (you can’t drive there, you have to fly or take a ferry), and has much larger numbers (bird wise). In Cordova, they regularly see 5 million shorebirds during the festival. 5 MILLION! I find that if you say it with a Doctor Evil accent, it really helps it sink in.

The other major shorebird festival is in Homer, and is known as the Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival. Homer sees only a fraction of the numbers of the birds that Cordova does, but with much higher species diversity. Kachemak Bay has a lot to offer, both in the way of birding and photography. There are grand landscapes & seascapes, whale watching (I saw a lone humpback on Sunday morning. He was in the ocean:) Sorry, I’m tired…), and a great variety of macro subjects. This was another scouting trip for me, as I am considering leading a weekend workshop (focusing on the Shorebird Migration) next year in Homer. I divided my time between shooting birds, scouting locations, picking the brains of several prominent birders, and doing tide pool photography across the bay in Kachemak Bay State Park.

In this post I’m going to stick with a theme: “Silhouettes”. The colors are super saturated. Brilliant yellows, glowing oranges, and pumped reds. They really look unreal, but I assure you – these are un-manipulated colors, no filters or saturation “creationism”. With the recent volcanic activity on Mt. Redoubt, the atmosphere is thick laiden with ash. The sky is hazy and long range visibility is diminished. In fact, after a weekend in these conditions, my throat is rebelling a bit. Try sucking in air with pulvarized ash and toxic chemicals in it – it does a number on you. But you know what? SO WORTH IT!

Silhouettes are easy to shoot. They are composition simplified to its most basic form. Light and dark, shape and the void. Color and it’s absence. To photograph silhouettes, all you have to do is have a subject that is dramatically backlit (the light must be behind the subject). Then just take a meter reading of the background and expose for it. Any backlit subject you put in the frame will be underexposed with this meter reading. If the backlighting is bright enough and the subject not lit from the front, you’ll get a silhouette. Simple right? They can make for very effective images if done correctly.

I’ve always preferred “environmental portraiture” over wildlife action shots. Basically that means that I like to include the animals habitat and surroundings in my photographs. Rather than just making a full frame shot (which I still do when it is called for), a sense of place can tell a lot about your subject. To each their own. In the images below, the color variances are due to the ever changing light conditions. Early on, right after sunrise, the light was a deep red. Then it transitioned from orange to a brilliant yellow. I really enjoyed the mornings near Beluga Lake. Great light, fog, and birds.

Beluga Lake Panorama, Fog and Ducks. Click to Enlarge.

Beluga Lake, Morning Glow with Ducks. Click to Enlarge.

"Enjoys Long Swims on the Water..." Silhouette. Click to Enlarge.

Ducks and Dock. Click to Enlarge.

Forest on Fire. Click to Enlarge.

Water that Glows from Within. Click to Enlarge.

Ripples and Silhouette. Click to Enlarge.

Next up, I have some more shots from the Shorebird Festival. Stay tuned!

Shoot well & often.