Fredrick Sound Orcas

Ron NiebruggeAlaska, Photos, Travel 4 Comments

A couple of orcas in Fredrick Sound, Alaska.

A couple of orcas in Fredrick Sound, Alaska.

Just two from a much larger pod of killer whales we were able to spend time with down in Southeast Alaska.  Love watching orcas!

These are two members of the AF5 pod, AF 18 and AF69.  The larger of the two, AF18 was born in 1969, his offspring, AF 18 was born in 2001.

Vally of Fire Photo Tour – Second Weekend

Ron NiebruggeNevada, Photos, Travel Leave a Comment

A hiker in the Valley of Fire State Park, near Vegas, Nevada.

A hiker in the Valley of Fire State Park, near Vegas, Nevada.

Since the first Valley of Fire Photo Tour filled so quickly, we have decided to add a second weekend, and that one is also beginning to fill.  This Park is closed at night, but I have secured permits to photograph on Saturday night which should be a lot of fun.  So if you want to learn more about night photography, or are interested in seeing this amazing park, check out this page for more information:  Valley of Fire Photo Tour.

Neets Bay Black Bear

Ron NiebruggeAlaska, Photos, Travel 4 Comments

Black Bear searching for salmon in the river at Neets Bay, near Ketchikan, Alaska.

Black Bear searching for salmon in the river at Neets Bay, near Ketchikan, Alaska.

I spend so much of my time watching and photographing the much larger Brown / Grizzly bears, that seeing Black Bears at Neets Bay was a lot of fun and an unexpected highlight.

Anan Creek

Ron NiebruggeAlaska, Photos, Travel 5 Comments

Black Bear fishing in Anan Creek, Tongass National Forest, Alaska.

Black Bear fishing in Anan Creek, Tongass National Forest, Alaska.

A black bear fishing in Anan Creek.  The Anan Wildlife Viewing area in Tongass National Forest is a famous viewing bear viewing area and it did not disappoint.  The blind there puts you just a few feet above fishing black bears – a great place to hang out.  This bear was the only one who choose to fish up above the falls, and had a lot of success doing so as this pool was loaded with salmon.

Mendenhall Glacier Sunrise

Ron NiebruggeAlaska, Photos, Travel 2 Comments

Mendenhall Glacier, Tongass National Forest, near Juneau, Alaska.

Mendenhall Glacier, Tongass National Forest, near Juneau, Alaska.

Another photo from a beautiful morning from our campsite above the Mendenhall Glacier, Tongass National Forest, near Juneau, Alaska.

Back from the bears!

Ron NiebruggeAlaska, Lake Clark, Photos, Travel Leave a Comment

Sea Otter off shore from Lake Clark National Park, Alaska.

Sea Otter off shore from Lake Clark National Park, Alaska.

Back from another Alaska bear and puffin photo tour – my sides have just now stopped hurting from laughing so much – it was such a fun group!

I know, this isn’t a bear.  It was actually one of the most cooperative Sea Otters I have photographed, taken on the day we went to the puffin rockery.  We had huge numbers of puffin, by far the most I have seen, and even a Peregrine Falcon.  Unfortunately the weather was a bit tough as this has been one of the wettest Summers in Alaska, but that didn’t detour this tough group who’s efforts were rewarded with some unique bear opportunities.

I don’t have any new bear images to share.  Along with some experienced photographers, I had a couple of somewhat new, very passionate photographers in the group, and I found it far more rewarding helping them acquire bear images then adding to my extensive collection.   Thanks again to the group for making it such a fun trip!