Mailing List Signup

Ron NiebruggeAlaska, Denali, Photos, Travel 2 Comments

Fireweed and Denali at sunrise last July, Denali National Park, Alaska.

Fireweed and Denali at sunrise last July, Denali National Park, Alaska.

Last year we began using a mailing list to keep past clients up to date on our new workshop and tour options.  We typically only do a couple emails a year, and never share that list with anyone.

Well, after one of our mailings last year, a number of our tours filled before I even had a chance to promote them on the blog which unfortunately left out a number of new clients who were interested in trips.  So, we have now added a signup to our main photo workshop page so that anyone can sign up, even if you haven’t been on a trip with me before.  Like I mentioned, it will be limited to a few emails a year and we will never share your information.  You can find the signup information near the top of our Photo Tour and Workshop Page.

And – we will be doing an email soon sharing some new photography trips for this fall, so now is a great time to sign up!  Plus, I have some exciting new photo trips planned for 2015!

Cotton Ball Sky

Ron NiebruggeAlaska, Photos, Travel 1 Comment

Clouds over Resurrection Bay, Seward, Alaska.

Clouds over Resurrection Bay, Seward, Alaska.

We have never been this far behind on our processing – we are just working our way through last summer’s images – just in time for this summer!  We had a beautiful summer last year, so I thought I would share a few.  I worked really hard for this image – casually strolled out to the front deck.  🙂

August Alaska Bear Tour Openings

Ron NiebruggeAlaska, Lake Clark, Photos, Travel 2 Comments

Bear cubs playing during last years bear tour

Bear cubs playing during last years bear tour

This very popular bear tour filled 9 months ago, however last minute cancellations have suddenly created 3 open spots for my Alaska Bear and Puffin Photo Tour.   For those that like to travel on the fly this opens up a great opportunity to experience this once in a lifetime experience with the bears of Lake Clark.   This is a great time of year to see the bears.  As an added bonus, this is the best time to see and photograph puffin as the adults will be flying back and forth to the nest with mouths full of fish in order to feed their young.  If you have any questions, check out the website or give us a call:  Alaska Brown Bear and Puffin Photo Tour.

Spring Aurora

Ron NiebruggeAlaska, Chugach, Photos, Travel 3 Comments

Northern Lights over Resurrection Bay, Seward, Alaska.

Northern Lights over Resurrection Bay, Seward, Alaska.

This was last night around 3:30 a.m.  This has to be the easiest Northern Lights I have ever photographed.  Light jacket, no gloves, hats or boots!  There was frost on the windshield, so it most have been below freezing – barely.  And, without wind, it was easy peasy!

Wilderness First Responder

Ron NiebruggeAlaska, Miscellaneous, Photos, Travel 4 Comments

Tess

Tess after surviving one of our training situations.

Well I passed my Wilderness First Responder Class!  It was a long, challenging week and a half, but I’m really glad I did it!  It was a wonderful experience for many reasons.  The WFR certificate is the equivalent of an EMT, but the difference is, the WFR emphasis is on wilderness medicine where medical help might be hours or days away.

Why was this such a great experience?  First, the sheer amount of knowledge that is imparted is amazing.  Not only did I learn an incredible amount, but then being able to apply it in very real life wilderness situations just added a whole level to the learning process.

But, all this material wouldn’t have amounted to much if it wasn’t for people like our lead instructor Deb Ajango.  Her endless real life Alaska stories were alone worth the price of the course!  She has seen and done it all, I don’t think I have even had a more interesting educator.

Finally was the group of people I meet and worked with as part of this class.  By it’s nature, the students in a class like this are the kind of people I find interesting – people making a living in the outdoors.  The kind of people who make career decisions based more on lifestyle then financial gain.  So the class is made up of kayak,  climbing and hiking guides, and in Seward, kayak guides are definitely the majority.   As the class progresses, this wonderful bonding experience is created as the group overcomes challenging, even stressful training.

So couple great material, a fantastic instructor and a wonderful group of students and I must admit, this class ended up being a far great experience then I ever expected!  Hopefully I’ll never need to use these new skills, but it is sure nice to know they  are there.

 

Chugach Film Festival

Ron NiebruggeAlaska, Chugach, Photos, Shameless Self Promotion, Travel 3 Comments

Chugach National Forest, Alaska.

Chugach National Forest, Alaska.

It is fun to see my photo promoting this great event, but I’m bummed I can’t attend as I filmed some of the “beauty shots” in one of the films.  I appreciate the invitation, and would definitely be there if I could.

Tomorrow (Saturday) I begin a week and a half of intensive training for my Wilderness First Responder certificate.  It goes from 8 in the morning, to 8 at night with evening reading and homework, so I don’t see myself posting anything to the blog until after it is done.  That is also why I’ll miss the premiere.  See you on the back side!

2015 Alaska Wilderness and Wildlife Callender

Ron NiebruggeAlaska, Lake Clark, Photos, Shameless Self Promotion, Travel 2 Comments

Greatland Graphics Alaska Wilderness and Wildlife Callender for 2015.

Greatland Graphics Alaska Wilderness and Wildlife Calender for 2015.

We made it home safely yesterday – it is great to be back in Alaska!

Found some nice surprises in the mail beginning with this cover of the 2015 Greatland Graphics Wilderness and Wildlife calender!  I am excited and honored to have the cover of two of their calenders this year, which the publisher tells me is very rare – very cool!  I’ll share the other one later this week.

I have worked with Greatland Graphics for many years now, they provide a wide range of wonderful products, all with top quality images and printing.  They typically only work with fellow Alaskan photographers which I think is great.  You can see more of their products here:  Greatland Graphics.

This is an image from one of my Alaska Bear photo tours at Lake Clark National Park.