Brown bear in a field of lupine, Lake Clark National Park, Alaska.
I thought I would share another bear image from this Summer just because I love bears!
Bottom of the Grand Canyon
Tunnel and bridge over the Colorado River are part of the South Kaibab Trail, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona.
Here you see the bottom of the South Kaibab Trail into the Grand Canyon. As you hike down, you get more and more glimpses of the Colorado River – on a hot day, that becomes a real magnet towards the final destination. But, the final arrival is a real show stopper. You literally enter into a tunnel blasted into the side of a rock face. Once you reach the other side of the tunnel, you emerge straight onto a suspension bridge hanging directly over the Colorado River! It’s awesome!
On the right side of this image you can see where the bridge lines up with the tunnel – this bridge takes you to the far side of the canyon to Phantom Ranch and the Angel Bright Campground.
Editing through our images from our May backpacking trip to the Grand Canyon National Park has me excited to return for more!
Mud Flats
Mud flats along Cook Inlet, Alaska.
This is a bit different. It is an aerial view looking straight down of the mud flats along Cook Inlet. I captured this on the flight in for last June’s Alaska bear photo tour. The patterns are a combination of the silty water left behind by the receding tides, and the drying of the mud. The higher areas that are exposed to the wind first try much faster, and turn a lighter shade of brown as compared to the still wet muddy areas.
Wonder Lake
Wonder Lake, Denali National Park, Alaska.
It has been a busy few months and I have a number of photos from this past Summer’s travels to Denali, Lake Clark, the Grand Canyon and Zion that I haven’t had a chance to share. I’m just going through those trips now – so I thought I would share of few over the next few weeks while I buckle down on a bunch of office work! 🙂
This is Denali reflecting in Wonder Lake this past August on a beautiful evening.
Nursing Bears
A sow nursing two cubs, Lake Clark National Park, Alaska.
Here is another one from August. Experiencing this behavior up close never gets old! This was actually on the grounds of the lodge I use for my Alaska Bear Photo Tours! We had returned to our cabins for a quick break when she showed up and began nursing! One of my guests (who will remained unnamed) was actually just getting out of the shower when he heard the familiar “purring” sounds the cubs make while nursing, and instantly knew what he was missing. It was some sight seeing him coming out of his cabin with camera gear in hand – wearing just his underwear! Witnessing this event was well worth the teasing from the group. 🙂
I like how sows will often use their forward legs to make somewhat of a cradle to help contain her cubs – just like you see here.
It might seem strange to hear how she actually came into the lodge’s yard to nurse. You see, the sows and their cubs are vulnerable to the larger male bears while nursing. The males are not nearly as comfortable around people, or the lodge facilities, and often will keep their distance – except during the mating season. The sows have picked up on this and use it to their advantage. It isn’t uncommon for them to move closer to people when they are vulnerable like they are when nursing or sleeping. It makes for a wonderful treat for photography! Well, except when they are sleeping – they tend to sleep longer and harder when we are nearby since they feel safer.
If you are interested, we only have a couple spots left for next years bear tours.
Boat Harbor Aurora
Aurora Borealis over the Seward Boat Harbor last Wednesday.
Here is another one from last northern light show in Seward last Tuesday night, Wednesday morning. Hard to follow the last image which received a wonderful response especially on Facebook – thanks for all the kind emails, comments and likes!
A lot of people have been asking. This was captured with a Canon 5D Mark III and a 24mm f/1.4 lens used wide open at f/1.4, iso 3200 and half a second exposure.
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