New Year’s Eve

Ron NiebruggeAntarctica, Photos, Travel 5 Comments

New Year's Eve, Antarctica.

New Year’s Eve, Antarctica.

Sitting on a plane between Atlanta and Seattle on my way home from a wonderful trip to South Georgia and Antarctica.  We had great weather / light wildlife, couldn’t have asked for more!

I have lots to share in the days ahead.  Right now, adjusting back to being connected.  It is weird to be so disconnected.  Just now learning of plane crashes, ferry fires and who made the NFL playoffs. Funny how that stuff doesn’t matter when exploring scenery like this on the other end of the world  But, it is going to be great to be home!

Back to Antarctica!

Ron NiebruggeAntarctica, Photos, Travel Leave a Comment

Antarctica sunset.

Antarctica sunset.

On a plane across country right now, soon I’ll be back in Antarctica! I won’t have internet for the next 30 days, so enjoy the holidays! See you in a month!

I have also pretty much disable comments since last year spammers had a hey day once they realized I wasn’t here to man the ship.

 

Anza-Borrego Photo Workshop

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

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California.

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California.

The last two years have been very dry, but a heavy rain in August, a little rain last week, and possibly more this week give me hope for some wildflowers this year!  Although, even without wildflowers, there is still plenty to see and photograph.

I have been doing a couple weekend workshops a year in Anza-Borrego for many years.  This year I may only do one, and there are only two spots left, so if you are interested, give us a call or email.  Here are far more details:  http://www.wildnatureimages.com/Photo-Tours/Anza-Borrego-Photo-Workshop.htm

Update.  Well that was fast – minutes after posting this, the last two spots filled.  If you are still interested let us know – if we have enough interest, (and rain could do it) we will add a second weekend.  Unfortunately there was a large increase in my Park fees, so we need a few people to make it viable.  Thanks!

Bohemian Waxwing Photo

Ron NiebruggeAlaska, Photos, Travel 2 Comments

Bohemian Waxwing, Seward Alaska.

Bohemian Waxwing, Seward Alaska.

Took a quick break yesterday while packing for Antarctica to photograph these beautiful birds in the backyard – they were everywhere!

Pine Grosbeak, Seward, Alaska

Pine Grosbeak, Seward, Alaska

Polar Bear Photo Tours

Ron NiebruggeAlaska, Photos, Travel 4 Comments

Polar Bear, Alaska.

Polar Bear, Alaska.

Next year (2015) I’m going to do two Arctic Alaska / Polar Bear Photo Tours for Hugh Rose.  I’m going to co-guide with Hugh on a trip from September 11 to the 21st just like I did last year.  This is a great trip that includes time in the Brooks Range for landscapes and Northern Lights, along with time on the North Slope, and of course, time with polar bears!

But, I’m also excited to be doing a new trip for Hugh – this one I’ll be guiding by myself and it will include only 5 guests.  It is earlier to coincide with the amazing Fall colors in the Brooks Range.  This trip will run between August 28 to September 7.

Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage

Ron NiebruggeAntarctica, Photos, Travel Leave a Comment

View from the hike between Fortuna Bay and Stromness, the last portion of Shackleton's famous hike, South Georgia Island, Antarctica.

View from the hike between Fortuna Bay and Stromness, the last portion of Shackleton’s famous hike, South Georgia Island, Antarctica.

I can’t begin to imagine the feeling of accomplishment and relief as Shackleton crested this ridge to see the whaling station of Stromness marking the end of his incredible journey.  If you are not familiar with it, I highly recommend reading the book on his voyage: Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage

On the Antarctica trip I do for Cheeseman’s , we are fortunate to hike the final portion of his famous hike.  I’m looking forward to heading back in about a week!  We were also fortunate to visit Point Wild on Elephant Island, the location most his men survived the winter.  As a friend put it, actually seeing these locations makes it even harder to fathom had they survived such an ordeal – the book definitely didn’t exaggerate the harshness of these locations.

Point Wild, Elephant Island, Antarctica. This is the desolate location where Shackelton left his men as he a a few others left for help.

Point Wild, Elephant Island, Antarctica. This is the desolate location where Shackelton left his men as he a a few others left for help.