Leonard Knight RIP

Ron NiebruggeCalifornia, Photos, Travel Leave a Comment

Leonard Knight, creator of Salvation Mountain.

Leonard Knight, creator of Salvation Mountain.

According to the L.A. Times Leonard Knight pasted away on Monday.  Leonard was the builder of Salvation Mountain, you might have seen it in the movie Into The Wild.

This image is from 2009.  We had the pleasure of meeting him, and getting a tour of his creation.  He was a very friendly, interesting gentleman who lived year around in the back of a truck and worked on building Salvation Mountain.  Even in the middle of the brutally hot Summer, he worked continued adding new elements.  I’m glad we had the pleasure of meeting him, I don’t think it was too long after this he had to move into a retirement home.  Rest in peace Leonard.

 

Alaska Polar Bear and Northern lights Photo Tour

Ron NiebruggeAlaska, Travel 2 Comments

Polar bear photo by Hugh Rose.

Polar bear photo by Hugh Rose.

I have good news and bad news.  The bad news, all my photo tour trips for 2014 are full.  But the good news, I will be working with Hugh Rose on a polar bear tour and there is still space for anyone who wants to join us this Fall!  This is something we have been talking about and planning for months, and are now ready to begin taking reservations.

Hugh created and pioneered this Polar Bear tour many years ago.  In recent years this trip has been copied, but no one comes close to having Hugh’s experience guiding photographers in the Alaska Arctic.  I have always thought this was one of the best photo tours in Alaska and I have referred a number of people his way over the years.

I first meet Hugh back sometime in the mid 90’s on a Kenai Fjords tour boat.  I was just beginning to pursue my passion of photography more seriously, and he was already an established guide leading a group.  Fast forward 15 years or so to today.  We are now good friends, and I have worked with him on trips to Antarctica, and in Alaska on a photo trip into Prince William Sound and Cordova, Alaska.  Not only is he an excellent photographer, but maybe one of the best, if not the best naturalists I know.  It is an honor to be joining him.  It is going to be a fun trip – there is typically no shortage of laughter on trips we work together!

 

Horned Puffin in Flight

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

Horned Puffin in flight, Lake Clark National Park, Alaska.

Horned Puffin in flight, Lake Clark National Park, Alaska.

We are a bit behind and are just now editing and adjusting last Summer’s photos.  So I thought I would share some since they are still “new” to me.

Horned puffin are really tough to photograph in flight.  Not only are they fast, but they are about the size of a football and don’t always fly a nice even path.  Over the years, some of my guests have captured killer flight images of puffin, but I have been a bit skunked.  Now that I have a much better flight lenses, the Canon 70-200 f/2.8, I decided to give more of an emphasis to flight photography.  This past Summer, between two trips in Prince William Sound, and my two Bear and Puffin Photo Tours, I had lots of opportunity, and was able to finally captured some decent puffin flight images!  This was from my June bear trip.

Canon 5D III, 70-200 with 1.4 converter @ 280, ISO 200, f/5 and 1/3200 of a second.  Original is a horizontal cropped to vertical.  I rarely crop, but this image worked much better cropped.

Grytviken

Ron NiebruggeAntarctica, Photos, Travel 4 Comments

Abandoned whaling village of Grytviken, South Georgia.

Abandoned whaling village of Grytviken, South Georgia.

A snowy evening in the abandoned whaling ghost town of Grytviken is where I celebrated New Year’s Eve this year.  It looks gloomy, but there is a British Antarctica Survey (BAS)  station nearby, just out of sight of this image.  The interesting folks from that base came aboard our ship for New Year’s dinner and celebrating – despite the gloomy appearance, it was actually a fun night.

Favorite Photos of 2013

Ron NiebruggePhotos, Travel 5 Comments

For the last 5 years, at year end, I have shared a group of my favorite images of the past year.  Since I have been traveling for the last couple of months, I didn’t have a chance to do it – but decided better late than never!  So here are my favorites from 2013.

Looking back, I have been gone a lot!  Antarctica and Southern California at the beginning of the year.  Prince William Sound and Cordova with the Discovery in May.  Backpacking in the Grand Canyon, then Lake Powell, Zion and Vegas in May and June.  A very busy Summer in Alaska before heading back to Arizona in September.  A month in Maui, then back to Antarctica!  I was away from home over half the year!  If I look back 13 months, I spent about 50 nights sleeping aboard boats thanks to two Antarctica trips, and two Prince William Sound trips aboard the Discovery.   And, I leave again for two months soon – I better catch up on my sleep!  As a travel photographer, it is a good thing I like to travel!

So, that said, here are some of my favorites.  The thumbnails are partial views – click on the thumbnails to see larger versions of the entire image.

Denali reflecting in a small pond, Denali National Park, Alaska.

Denali reflecting in a small pond, Denali National Park, Alaska.

I had a wonderful trip to Denali this Summer with some perfect weather – this evening was magical.

Northern Lights, Seward, Alaska.

Northern Lights, Seward, Alaska.

We had a couple of wonderful Northern light shows this Fall – along with clear skies, a treat for Seward!  I think this is my favorite of the bunch, although I captured a wide variety of Aurora Borealis photos.

Resurrection Bay from Mt Marathon, Seward, Alaska.

Resurrection Bay from Mt Marathon, Seward, Alaska.

It was a great year for wildflowers on the mountain behind my house.

Brown bear cub, Lake Clark National Park, Alaska.

Brown bear cub, Lake Clark National Park, Alaska.

I do two week long bear photo tours in Alaska every Summer, so you know I’m going to include at least one bear photo, and I couldn’t resist this cute little guy.

Antarctica

With so many Antarctica photos, it is hard to pick a favorite, although this 2 a.m. sunset / sunrise is among my favorites!

Sunset, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona.

Sunset, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona.

Backpacking into the Grand Canyon for a couple nights was one of the highlights of the year – now I can’t wait to backpack rim to rim!

Camping along Lake Powell, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Arizona.

Camping along Lake Powell, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Arizona.

I admit, the fond memories of this camping trip probably have more to do with this being a favorite then the quality of the image, but that is OK.

Denali, Denali National Park, Alaska.

Denali, Denali National Park, Alaska.

Another one from a wonderful trip to Denali National Park, Alaska.

Upper Antelope Slot Canyon at night.

Upper Antelope Slot Canyon at night.

Being in this magical canyon at night, away from the crowds was really special.  This was from a photo tour I offered last Fall, one I hope to do again soon.

Lupine, Chugach National Forest, Alaska.

Lupine, Chugach National Forest, Alaska.

I spent a few different nights photographing the wonderful lupine along Turnagain Arm – it was a pretty good year for wildflowers along the Arm – probably one of the better shows in years.

There, I actually limited myself to 10 photos!  I never can do that, although it means nothing from Maui, Prince William Sound and only one image from Antarctica and of Northern lights!

For those interested, here are more:  Favorite photos in 2012 – favorite photos of 2011 – favorite photos of 2010  –  favorite photos of 2009 and finally, favorite photos of 2008.

OK – Janine say’s we have to have a Maui photo – so I’m going with this from Haleakala National Park:

Haleakala Crater, Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii.

Haleakala Crater, Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii.

 

 

Crabeater Seal

Ron NiebruggeAntarctica, Photos, Travel 2 Comments

Crabeater Seal, Antarctica.

Crabeater Seal, Antarctica.

A Crabeater Seal from earlier this month while in Antarctica.  Interestingly enough, Crabeater Seals don’t eat crabs, which is a good thing since there aren’t crabs in Antarctica.  They mostly feed on krill.