The season of spring is distinctly noted in the images, as the color phase of the Rock ptarmigan in conjunction with the new green shoots on the plants are telling signs. This bird staked out a territory near our camp along the Nigu river, and made his calls frequently in quest of a mate. We…
Harlequin ducks inhabit Prince William sound in large numbers, often in flocks exceeding a hundred birds. Since the Exxon Oil spill of 1989, studies have sought to determine the long term damage of oil contaminants to this species. They are know to return to the same feeding grounds each year, thus increasing their risk should…
If you are a bird, the condition of your feathers means everything. And so the process of preening is a continual one. It is also at this stage that a bird can ingest oil and other contaminants that may adhere to their feathers in polluted waters. This Surfbird (Aphriza virgata), was one of thousands along…
I’ve spent the last two weeks photographing in the Prince William Sound region with a primary focus on the birds migrating through the area at this time of year. Eight days were spent on the MV Discovery, owned by Dean Rand of Discovery Voyages. I met Dean while working on the Exxon Valdez Oil spill…
The Copper River Delta in eastern Prince William Sound, serves as an important refueling stop for the shorebirds that migrate along the western coast of the US. Hundreds of thousands of birds congregate here in early May and spend a few days on average feeding on the rich inter tidal shores before journeying on to…
Bull Muskox in blowing snow Canon 1Ds Mark III, 500mm f4.0L IS, 1/500 sec @ f7.1, ISO 400 I just returned from a week of photography in Alaska’s arctic. Surprisingly, late March and April still deliver significant sub zero temperatures in the far north, even as the sunlight rushes back at a rapid pace. I’m…
I’ve been developing a new page on my website titled “alaska photo galleries” and a section includes some flash galleries which include 100 favorites of 2008. In addition, there are favorites form previous years as well. Looking back on a year’s worth of travels and images provokes lots of memories and grand sights from across…
<!– @page { size: 8.5in 11in; margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } –Willow ptarmigan in Atigun Pass, Brooks range, Alaska. Canon 1Ds Mark III, 500mm 4L IS, 1/500 sec at f7.1, ISO 800 Willow ptarmigan turn a cryptic pure white in the winter to blend in with the snowy landscapes. Their black beak,…
Raven in the mist, Denali National Park, Alaska. Canon 1Ds Mark III, 500mm f4L IS, 1/640 sec @ f/4, ISO 400 While waiting on a hilltop in Denali Park, I watched and waited as fog moved through the boreal forest shortly after sunrise. The angle of light was still low enough for good shadows. After…
Sandhill Cranes take flight on a thunderstorm weather front, Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge, Fairbanks, Alaska. Canon 1Ds Mark III, 500mm f4L IS, 1/640 sec @ f/5.0, ISO 400 Saturday night in Fairbanks (8PM) a dark and ominous cloud formed in the skies behind Creamer’s field. I was watching the Sandhill cranes gathered in groups…