Greatland Graphics Calendar

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

Brown bear sow and cub, Lake Clark National Park, Alaska.
Brown bear sow and cub, Lake Clark National Park, Alaska.

So excited, honored and proud to have the cover of two of the three large calendars produced by Greatland Graphics. Greatland Graphics has been producing some of the nicest Alaska calendars for years, but what makes it extra special is it is now owned by good friend and outstanding photographer Patrick Endres.

Like so many of my fellow photographers this is a very challenging time, even for the calendar business. You see, most of these sell in gift shops in the summer to cruise ship passengers, and with many cruise ships being locked down these days, most of these calendars will go unsold. However, if you click on the link, you can order these wonderful calendars directly from Greatland Graphics. You will end up with a high quality product, and help an Alaskan business at the same time!

This photo was from a very memorable morning on one of my Alaska bear photo tours a few years ago. We were the only ones up this morning, and spotted this sow with two spring cubs very near the lodge – in fact, we were able to walk over to them from the lodge. These particular cubs were prone to climbing onto their mom’s back, a really cute behavior you don’t always see. Couple that, with perfect morning light, and we had a morning I’ll never forget. Unfortunately, we couldn’t contain our excitement once we returned to the lodge, so that was the last morning that week that we were the only ones up!

Moonrise

Ron NiebruggeAlaska, Photos, Travel Leave a Comment

Seward, Alaska.
Seward, Alaska.

Last night – another night, another cool moon rise!  It is early May and shocking to see how little snow is on these mountains right now, they should be buried in snow this time of year down to the water.

Home!

Ron NiebruggePhotos Leave a Comment

Seward, Alaska.
Seward, Alaska.

Last night on day one of a two week quarantine! We sure split our time between two beautiful places! This was just after 10:00 p.m.

I don’t know what I expected, but the flights home were painless. Middle seats intentionally left empty, most travelers wearing masks, and fairly empty airports. It felt safer then going to Costco.

Thirsty Bat

Ron NiebruggeArizona, Photos, Travel, Tucson Leave a Comment

A bat getting a drink at the reflection table blind, Desert Photo Retreat, Arizona.
A bat getting a drink at the reflection table blind, Desert Photo Retreat, Arizona.

A thirsty bat last night at the reflection table blind!  

I think I have all the bugs worked out. I’m using a Cognisys Sabre for a trigger and the place the camera on bulb. The Sabre actually managed my exposure time. I vary it from 3 seconds at twilight, to 30 seconds in the darkness like you see here. The Sabre then does exposure after exposure waiting for a bat. When a bat does break the beam of the Sabre, it fires my flashes and not the camera. This way I avoid the lag time associated with trigger the camera. Firing the flashes is almost instantaneous. The Sabre then stops the exposure, and begins another one so that I don’t get duplicate bats in the same frame so I can go to bed. 🙂

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

Ron NiebruggePhotos Leave a Comment

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake
Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

I was working on perches and setting up some food when I reached down to pick something up off the ground a spotted this western diamondback rattlesnake!   He is obviously been watching me for weeks as it wasn’t the least bit concerned by my presence.  This was four days ago, he has been there ever since moving between the sun and shade depending on the time of day.  It is interesting to see quail pass within a foot or so of this guy without any concern.  

Desert Tortoise

Ron NiebruggeArizona, Photos, Travel, Tucson 2 Comments

Desert tortoise
Desert tortoise

Desert tortoise just a few minutes ago.  First one I have seen this season.  Cactus, including the saguaros are starting to now bloom in earnest.  Thanks to the cool spring, it seems like things are running about a week later as compared to the last couple of warm years.  The cool weather is over now!

So Close!

Ron NiebruggeArizona, Photos, Travel, Tucson Leave a Comment

A bat at the water table blind, Tucson, Arizona.
A bat at the water table blind, Tucson, Arizona.

So close! I have been working on bat photography at my water table blind the last few nights. Couldn’t figure out why part of the animal was blurry, it should be tack sharp at 1/16 flash power. It was like the flashes weren’t syncing. Just discovered, I had the flash on the right in high speed sync mode, that would do it! Now I can’t wait to try again. And, to fix up the background edge.

Last Night!

Ron NiebruggePhotos 2 Comments

A bobcat a short time ago this morning.

Last night and this morning at one of the two water holes. It has been busy! Warmer weather helps. Had six different visits by skunks including two at once, a pair of fox who had a fun interaction with a skunk, and three visits by bobcats! Maybe the same one three times, hard to tell. My real camera and flashes were busy chasing bats. 🙂

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