Wild in Arizona Review

Ron NiebruggeArizona, Travel 3 Comments

Wild in Arizona - a guide to photographing Arizona's wildflowers.

Wild in Arizona – a guide to photographing Arizona’s wildflowers.

Since we are heading over to Arizona later this week, I thought it was a perfect time to provide a review of this newly released book:  Wild in Arizona: Photographing Arizona’s Wildflowers, A Guide to When, Where, and How.

One of the authors, Colleen Miniuk-Sperrry graciously provided me with a copy.  When I met up with her in Arizona next week for a beer I’ll have to share a major complaint that I might as well put out on the table right now – where was the book 10 years ago!  It sure would have saved me a lot of time!

Seriously, this is an outstanding guide book full of wonderful photos, detailed maps with well written driving and hiking directions, along with a ton of information on what blooms where and when.  The layout is simple but elegant and inviting – I wish more guide books shared these traits.   Even though this book has a photography slant with lots of photo advice, I think anyone who spends time in Arizona, photographer or not would enjoy this book.

The book shares information on many places in which I’m not familiar, but look forward to visiting.  Many of the other locations are places that I have spent lots of time chasing wildflowers over the years, so I can say the advice on road, trail and wildflower conditions is spot on.  I’m not surprised, Paul Gill has been photographing Arizona for the likes of Arizona Highways for over 30 years while Colleen adds another 10 plus years of experience photographing Arizona.  Both are full time photographers that know what they are talking about.

 

Badland Moon

Ron NiebruggeAnza-Borrego, California, Photos, Travel 10 Comments

Moon rising over the badlands of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California.

Moon rising over the badlands of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California.

I hadn’t planned on returning to this location yet again on this trip – but couldn’t think of a better place to photograph the moon then this lunar looking landscape.

This was actually Wednesday night, the night before the actual full moon.  The night or two before it is full is the best time to photograph the moon because you can capture it while there is still enough light from the setting sun to light up the landscape.  On the actual night of the full moon, it usually appears after it is too dark.

Alaska Photo Tour – whales, eagles, bears and glaciers!

Ron NiebruggeAlaska, Kenai Fjords, Photos, Travel 1 Comment

Photos all from Kenai Fjords National Park and / or Seward, Alaska.

Photos all from Kenai Fjords National Park and / or Seward, Alaska.

Imagine waking up anchored in front of an amazing tide water glacier – a glacier you watched and heard calve large ice bergs through out the night!   Off to the side is a beach where we often see bears walking to and from the nearby salmon stream.  Passing by us is the occasional harbor seal or bald eagle.  And, all this is surrounded by magnificent mountains.    And, this is just one morning of an amazing 3 day trip!

At other times during this trip we spent hours hanging out with whales – we did that on numerous occasions.  Or, we spent time with sea otters or at sea lion haul outs.  At one point we spent time at an island full of nesting puffin and numerous other sea birds.  We stuck the bow under a water fall that plummeted hundreds of feet down a granite cliff straight into the ocean.   Another night was spent in  spectacular Northwestern Fjord.

I could go on and on as this is really an amazing trip.  Did I mention the nesting bald eagles, the other active glaciers, waterfalls and amazing scenery?

I offer the only overnight photo tour into KFNP where you are accompanied by a professional photographer who can offer tips and suggestions and will make sure we are at the best places for the best light.  Not only this but I am the least expensive overnight option available.

To learn more, check out this page: Kenai Fjords Alaska photo tour scroll to the bottom to see more photos from the trip and of the research vessel I use.  You can feel free to contact us with further questions.  If you would like to see more photos of the place the Travel Channel named one of the 10 natural wonders of the world, here are more photos:  Kenai Fjords National Park photos.

Anza-Borrego Workshop

Ron NiebruggeAnza-Borrego, California, Photos, Travel 4 Comments

Mike, Frank Sandie, Lauren, Dennia and me in a slot canyon, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California.

Mike, Frank Sandie, Lauren, Dennie and me in a slot canyon, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California.

Just completed a great workshop last weekend in Anza-Borrego.  It was really fun thanks to a wonderful group of passionate photographers!  I enjoy the chance to talk photography and share some of my favorite places with a group like this.

This is the 5th workshop I have done here over the years.  I would have thought by now I would have a routine down, but it has worked out to be just the opposite – every workshop ends up being very different.  On a couple I have had heavy rain, on others lots of wildflowers – and so on.  This year we had very nice weather with temps in the mid 80’s along with some wonderful early morning and late evening light.  We didn’t have too much in the way of wildflowers, but that allowed us to see some of the other cool areas around Anza-Borrego such as this slot canyon.

I had calls right up to Friday inquiring about availability or other weekends and unfortunately this year I only obtained a permit for one weekend, so I apologize for the lack of more options, but I’m pretty sure I will be doing one or two more next year at this time.

 

 

Country Extra

Ron NiebruggeAlaska, Kenai Fjords, Photos, Shameless Self Promotion, Travel 14 Comments

Janine's article in this months Country Extra!

Janine's article in this months Country Extra!

 

Janine's article in this months Country Extra!

Janine's article in this months Country Extra!

We both work equally hard on our photography business, but as the photographer, I get most of the recognition.  So, that is why I’m so excited to share Janine’s first published article in the current month of Country Extra!

Country had contacted us awhile back looking for whale photos for an upcoming article and asked if we would be interested in writing it.  From the early days of my career, the advice I heard over and over is the best way to get your photos published was to write articles.  Problem was, I don’t really enjoy writing and I’m not all that good at it – I’m sure the two are related.  This blog is about my limit.  🙂  But, Janine has had an interest in writing, and with the intent of creating articles she took a college writing class a few years ago.  But, we are so busy keeping up with day to day operations, it seems there isn’t time for such activity, that is until a good client like Country floats the idea out there!  Well, now that I have made a short story long – told you I’m not much of a writer – we jumped on the opportunity!

So above are a couple of images of the article.  I still remember the thrill of having my first images published and now can share that thrill with Janine as her first words are now published!

 

Anza-Borrego Wildflower conditions – 2012

Ron NiebruggeAnza-Borrego, California, Photos, Travel 2 Comments

Font's Point, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California.

Font's Point, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California.

Every year when I get down this way I start getting inquires about the famous desert wildflower bloom – so I thought I would provide an update.  The fact I’m not posting a photo of wildflowers probably says it all.

I have had my running shoes on and have been exploring many of the canyons and past “hot spots” over the last few days.  I have found a few blooms here and there, some chuparosa, a few cactus, desert agave (century plant and lots of oc – just enough options for my workshop this weekend), but by and large, there really aren’t any wildflowers this year.  The sign at the visitor center sums it up well.  The water year begins here on July 1.  For the last two years, the year to date rainfall for this area has been right about 7.5 inches.  This year it sits at just over 2 inches – and about 1/4 of that has fallen since we have arrived which is probably too late.

For those that are adventurous, there are a few wildflowers near water sources, mainly Borrego Palm Canyon and Coyote Canyon.

Fortunately, there are plenty of other things to see and photograph in Anza-Borrego beside just the wildflowers!