Post Archive by Year

A Least Sandpiper resting near Seward, Alaska.

Seven years ago I walked away from a great job with full benefits, a wonderful boss and awesome co-workers to pursue my dream of being a photographer.  Janine had left her job a couple of years before to begin building the business and it was time to take the plunge.  It was the scariest, but one of the best, decisions I have ever made.

I find it interesting, at the time I was consumed with “making it”.  I really wanted to succeed, and would work as hard as possible to achieve that success.  If you had told me then that 7 years later we would be traveling, taking photos and making a comfortable living, I would have breathed a big sigh of relief and would have been thrilled at the thought of actually “making it”.  But now that I’m here, I still worry about the future, and continue to have those thoughts that I hope we can “make it”.  As someone told be recently, it is probably a good thing to feel that way.  I know one thing – it sure has been a wonderful journey!

A Least Sandpiper near Seward, Alaska.

This was from earlier this week – I liked how the sandpiper appeared to be checking out its reflection.

I wanted to thank everyone for all the constructive comments and emails I recived on the sandpiper blur image – lots of great insight, I really appreciate it!

Rain-forest, Chugach National Forest, Alaska.

There is more to the Copper River Delta area then just birds – actually, a lot more!  This was from my recent trip.

A flock of shorebirds, Copper River Delta, Alaska.

It is fun to return to an area like I did Cordova recently to see what kind of new images I can come up with – I like the challenge.  It seems I’m more likely to experiment and try different compositions, techniques etc. on subsequent visits to a location in an attempt to top what I did before.  Admittedly, different isn’t better, but the same is never better – let me elaborate.   Read More

Semipalmated Plover, Seward, Alaska.

Since I’m in the bird frame of mind sorta speak, I decided to check out some of our local shorebirds.  Compared to the Copper River Delta, Seward gets a tiny migration – but hey, its close!

The favorable tides and wind corresponded with the middle of a bright sunny day which equals harsh ugly light, so I leaned heavy on flash to help tame and overcome the bad light.

I ended up getting pretty wet laying in the mud and water for two hours – but I think it was worth it!

Western Sandpiper, Copper River Delta, Alaska.

We are back from a great trip to Cordova.  I’ll probably be drying and cleaning silt out of my camera gear for a week!

Shorebirds resting on the Copper River Delta, Alaska.

Well, as I was mesmerized by the shorebird migration, I was told a wolverine walked down the beach about a hundred yards behind me!  I was right there with my camera mounted on my telephoto, all on a tripod – it couldn’t have been better timing, well, except for the part where I was looking the other way!  It was spotted by Hugh Rose, who is an excellent photographer and naturalist – so it was a very reliable source.  Guess where I’m going to be hanging out!

My pain was greatly eased by the shorebird migration – this was the most I have ever seen.  Wow is the word I kept repeating to myself.  Unfortunately photographs just can’t do this migration justice.  Video would help, but would still fall short. 

I used f/22 for this image to maximize the depth of field.

Shorebirds on the Copper River Delta, Alaska

It is a bit early, but the birds are beginning to arrive – this was from this morning.  I forgot what an amazing experience it is to see these huge flocks of birds!