Drawing inspiration from Darwin Wigget’s blog I put together my top images from 2009. It was an amazing year, highlighted by my summer long solo sea kayaking trip around the Prince William Sound. I was surprised when I took a look at the 10 images I picked and noticed they are mostly landscape and nature images. I usually prefer adventure shots but I guess this year was a little different. I’m starting to put together some trips for the spring and summer and hope to have an even more adventurous year than 2009!
Fog lifting off the red rocks of Sedona Arizona
Sunset over Little Molas lake, Colorado
Saguaro’s at sunset near Tucson, Arizona
Glowing Ice Bergs in Columbia bay-Prince William Sound, Alaska
Chum Salmon spawning-Prince William Sound, Alaska
Mule Canyon ruins, Utah
Hiker on top of East Sheep Mountain, Colorado
Sunset over Usery mountains, Arizona
Humpback Whale feeding in Prince William Sound, Alaska
Seals resting on rocks-Prince William Sound, Alaska
My time in AK is winding down and I’m very excited to get home and see my dog but I’m going to miss this area. The image above is Power Creek which enters Eyak lake a little ways out of town. The color of the water is amazing, it’s emerald and reminds me of some rivers in New Zealand. I just got down from an overnight backpack up in the high country. It was a great hike but I was completely socked in and could only see 20 feet in front of me. I camped on top of a peak that has views out to the Sound one way and the mountains and Copper river delta the other but I did not see any of it, next time…. I fly out tomorrow evening so we are having a little celebration tonight with some local Clams and good food.
One thing that Alaska does not have a shortage of is waterfalls, they are everywhere. This is from a little waterfall on my recent backpacking trip. I like shooting in tight at little sections of the waterfall like the one above. This is probably a 2-3 foot section of the 30 foot falls.
Just got down from my backpacking trip to the Power Creek cabin. This cabin is absolute paradise and the nicest Forest Service cabin that I have ever been to. It sits up on a ridge with 360 degree views of the beautiful mountains and waterfalls above the Power Creek valley. It has a loft area on the top of the cabin with windows that offer the best view of the area as you go to sleep gazing out at the vista. I really love this area, so much to do….
I spent the last two nights backpacking to a few cabins that were really nice. One was on a lake and people who have been staying there over the past week all watched Brown Bears feeding on the spawning Sockeye Salmon in front of the cabin so I was very excited to see and photograph this. No Bears for me…. I did get to see this Mother Moose with her calf on the way back to Cordova though. I’m packing back up and heading to a different trail and a new cabin for two nights. Trying to get ready as quick as possible so I’m not hiking at night because everyone says this area is “extremely Beary”, seems like every area around here is.
This photo is Jane casting to wild Cutthroat trout on one of the Pipeline lakes that we hiked to yesterday. It was a great hike through the thick forest which opens up to a series of stunning little lakes at the end. The fish in the lakes were some of the most beautiful that I have seen. Another great day in Cordova!
This is a Trumpeter Swan in the Copper river delta at sunset the other night. The drive on “the road” out of Cordova into the delta is spectacular.
I have been hanging out with Jennifer and Jane in Cordova the last few days and having a blast. The weather has been good and I have been getting some good hikes in and exploring this amazing area. This photo is from a hike Jane and I did this morning on the Sheridan glacier which was amazing!
The photo above is a creek that runs out of Eshamy lake into the sound. I did not have a tripod with me at the time and wanted to do a longer exposure to smooth out the water a bit which would make the moss covered branches stand out a bit more. I ended up sitting on a rock and propping my camera on my knee to steady the camera and I was surprised a how sharp the photos came out, I really like them.
My phone got a little wet while I was out there like everything else I had with me and the display is not working. I can make and receive calls but that’s it. I can hear text messages coming in but can not see them so the best way to contact me is by email. I heading out to Cordova this afternoon where my phone does not really work so email is by far the best way to get ahold of me.