From Death Valley...

Hello and greetings from Death Valley! As I mentioned in my last posting, I was going to try and post a couple more bear images. So here is another shot of Dusty. In a very endearing pose.

I can't say enough about McNeil River, the staff and the bears! Just a super opportunity and by all means put it on your bucket list! You won't be disappointed.

When you go, plan to do some trekking. You will need hip-waders and good rain gear. Bring your camera gear and protection for it also. We hiked up to 6 miles each of the four days we were at the sanctuary over tidal mud flats, tundra, river crossings-right through bear country. They were all around us, content with the abundance of chum salmon in the streams-typical at the time of our permit. We made stops everyday at Ender's Island where this shot above was taken.

I don't recall if this bear had a name. The Friends of McNeil River publishes a spiral-bound book with interesting reading and help in identifying most of the bears you find who make the return trip to McNeil River every year. Visit http://www.mcneilbears.org/ to purchase the book and help a good organization help the sanctuary and the bears.

Happy Bear Watching!

I promised...

OK, many of you have asked to see my "bear" shots. Thanks for being consistent. I will try to get a couple posted before my trip to Death Valley. Here is the first one!

Meet an amazingly photogenic Brown Bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) named Dusty by the staff at McNeil River State Game Sanctuary and Refuge in southwestern Alaska. The sanctuary has run a lottery system for bear viewers since 1967, allowing a very limited number of guided guests access to witness natural bear behavior during salmon season. Bruce and I were lucky enough to draw tags for a four day period August 2008. We spent those days hiking through mud flats, across tundra, in rain and overcast skies to places like Mikfit Creek, Enders Island and McNeil River Falls. It was SPECTACULAR! A photographers dream to be so close these magnificent creatures.

To learn more about McNeil River State Game Sanctuary visit http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=mcneilriver.main. And if you plan to apply for the chance to visit, you better get started. I have heard that some have waited several years before getting drawn. The application can be found at the website, due March 1st each year, and costs $25.00 per person just for the chance to get drawn. If you are lucky enough, there is a resident and non-resident fee system you will need to fund along with organizing transportation, camping arrangements, supplies and photo gear to take along with you. Weather plays an important part when flying in Alaska and McNeil River can only be accessed by float plane at low tide. Expect to pay more for over weight baggage. Food, photo gear, camping necessities and an array of clothing you can layer adds up fast.

Don't be discouraged. This trip is so worth it! Make sure to do your homework and read up on the location before you go. If you would like to know more about our experience there, just drop me a line or give a ring. I would be glad to reminisce and share many more details about our adventures in Alaska!

The morning after...

I woke up this morning wondering "what had I done?" My otherwise tame email account had numerous replies from people confirming or wanting to friend me. "What have I created?" My intentions were to reach out to family and a few close friends but I am finding out how much more a Facebook page can be. Wish me luck with this new-fangled (new to me), cyber-space, web of fun!

But really! This is my photography blog so I better be posting images and interesting stories to accompany those images. So here goes!

The Best of Nature Photography Show entry period just wrapped up. I had been accumulating images I thought might bode well in the competition, did some post-processing on each of them and off they went. Here is one of my favorite images from a visit to Yellowstone NP earlier this year of a red fox (vulpes vulpes) crossing the snow on a very cold and overcast day.

Let me know what you think by leaving a comment! Want to know more about red fox? Visit http://www.visitthefarm.com/animalfacts/redfox.php or do your own google search.

If you would like to see my latest posting delivered directly to you, enter your email address in the box on the upper right-hand corner of my blog page where it says subscribe. Then confirm the action once you receive an email asking you to do so. Thanks so much for following along!

Yellowstone...

As you might already know, the Yellowstone Association (YA) is using the above image of Old Faithful on their new line of promotional postcards. Funny story. Bruce and I were visiting the park on my birthday, August 25, 2010, for the opening festivities of the new Old Faithful Visitor Center. There were tons of people. Since we were there early, Bruce saved me a seat to watch the next spray of Old Faithful geyser while I meandered around to catch some candid shots. I got to my seat which had a clear view when this lady crowded in and started making rude comments. I was lucky enough to snap a dozen or more clean images of the show before it was over. Months later the Yellowstone Association called and asked if they could use the image. You betcha! SWEET.

Finally...

It's a cool, rainy day here at the office. Fireplace is crackling and I finally decided to dive into my Facebook page and start a blog. Time to get everyone excited and share my adventures with family, friends and anyone else who wishes to follow my blossoming career as a wildlife photographer.

Please check back often to view some of my favorite wildlife images and posts of my travels. Leave a comment or two and enjoy. C-ya back here soon!