Bubble Net Feeding

Ron NiebruggeAlaska, Photos, Travel Leave a Comment

Humpback whales bubble net feeding near Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska.

Humpback whales bubble net feeding near Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska.

This is an amazing cooperative behavior in which a couple of humpback whales dive deep in fish rich waters.  They then begin blowing bubbles which form a bit of a wall or net as the bubbles rise to the surface.  This “net” concentrates small fish near the surface of the ocean.  Then the whole group of humpbacks rise up in the middle of this concentration with mouths wide open as they feed on all the fish.  If you look close, you can see fish leaping out of the water in an attempt to escape the whales.  It is fascinating to watch.

Glacier Bay National Park Photo Tour

Ron NiebruggeAlaska, Photos, Travel Leave a Comment

Two humpback whales breaching at the same time last weekend not far from Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska.

Two humpback whales breaching at the same time last weekend not far from Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska.

I’m excited to be announcing a new Alaska photo tour in 2018; Glacier Bay National Park!  Scouting for this tour was the main reason I was just in Glacier Bay – it had been many years since I had photographed the park, and I wanted to confirm what I had been told, that May is a great time to see the area.  I was not disappointed.  The scenery was absolutely amazing, along with the best whale viewing I have ever experienced!

Why Glacier Bay?  This spectacular National Park has dramatic snow covered mountains rising out of the ocean to over 15,000 feet in elevation.  You have active tide-water glaciers, at least one of which is still advancing.  Lots of wildlife, including large rafts of sea otters, eagles, and bears.  The access to the Park is challenging due to its remote nature plus the number of tour boats and cruise ships are very limited, but with this limitation comes unspoiled beauty and a degree of solitude.  Along with at least 3 nights in Glacier Bay, we will also be visiting other areas of the Inside Passage including some very productive whale viewing areas.

Why May?  Late May on average has the best weather of the summer.  The landscape is stunning, with dramatic mountain peaks still covered with  snow while the lower elevations and beaches are green and can even contain wildflowers.  This time of year gives us access to areas such as Muir Glacier that close beginning June 1.  Whales have arrived, and bears are found walking the beaches.

I can go on and on, but to learn more about this trip including how you can reserve your spot on this Alaska photo adventure visit our website:  Glacier Bay National Park Photo Tour.

Johns Hopkins Glacier

Ron NiebruggeAlaska, Photos, Travel 1 Comment

Johns Hopkins Glacier, Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska.

Johns Hopkins Glacier, Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska.

Back from a short, but wonderful trip to Glacier Bay National Park.  Not only was the scenery amazing, but I had some of the best whale photography opportunities that I have ever had including a big group of bubble net feeders and a triple breach!  More Glacier Bay news coming very soon.

Glacier Bay National Park

Ron NiebruggeAlaska, Photos, Travel Leave a Comment

Margerie Glacier. Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska.

Margerie Glacier. Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska.

Finally kicking a pesty cold that has kept me from posting much, but I’m excited to be heading to Glacier Bay National Park this week!  It has been awhile, in fact last time I was there I was still shooting slide film.

Brown Bear Cub

Ron NiebruggeAlaska, Lake Clark, Photos, Travel 1 Comment

Brown / Grizzly Bear cub, Lake Clark National Park, Alaska.

Brown / Grizzly Bear cub, Lake Clark National Park, Alaska.

It has been a busy week, but nice to be home in Alaska!   Thought I would adjust a share a photo from last summer – won’t be long now until I’m back with the bears and bear cubs!

Discovery Voyages

Ron NiebruggeAlaska, Chugach, Photos, Travel 2 Comments

The Discovery leaving Cordova, Alaska.

The Discovery leaving Cordova, Alaska.

Had a great time over the last 5 days in Cordova helping to guide the land portion of the spring birding trip for the Discovery with a really fun group of folks.   Here they are pulling out of Cordova.

Gila Woodpecker

Ron NiebruggeArizona, Photos, Travel, Tucson Leave a Comment

A gila woodpecker returning to the next, near Tucson, Arizona.

A gila woodpecker returning to the next, near Tucson, Arizona.

This is the second spring in a row that a pair of gila woodpeckers nested in this hole near our camp.  That is a treat, as they usually dig a new nesting hole each year.  We also have a pair of nesting gilded flickers also near or camp – it is fun to hear the babies screeching for attention every time the adult flies to the nest.

We are excited to be flying back to Alaska in the morning, but are going to miss all the wildlife that had become such a big part of our life in Arizona.  I have had people ask about how the animals are doing.  I can report, both gray foxes were still around and came by most evenings around sunset.  The two little baby javelina are still alive – I saw them recently during the middle of the night, and they are almost as big as the adults.  And finally, the quail family sill had all 8 little babies, although they were getting bigger.  We left a water drip for them while we are gone – it will be interesting to see how everyone is doing when we return in the Fall.

Saguaro Blooms

Ron NiebruggeArizona, Photos, Travel, Tucson 2 Comments

Wildflower blooms on a saguaro cactus, near Tucson, Arizona.

Wildflower blooms on a saguaro cactus, near Tucson, Arizona.

There have been blooming saguaros for a couple of weeks already – seems early this year, no surprise given how much warmer than average it has been around here.