SUNDAY ON THE RUN

It has been a busy day on the go. We drove South from Fairbanks to visit Denali N.P. The weather was overcast a good part of the way, but we could see part of the Alaska Range as we drove. I got promoted to being the shotgun or copilot as we wanted someone who would look out for wildlife along the way. It gives me a chance to also suggest pull offs for viewing.

On the way south we saw a moose down in a river valley but he was quite a way from us. Binoculars were what was needed to see him.  We did about a two to two and a half mile snowshoe walk in Denali with cameras and tripods. It was good to get out and get some real physical activity.

We saw 5 moose along the highway enroute back to Healy this evening. It was really in twilight light. Was shooting at 1600 to 5000 ISO. The first three, a female and two young ones,  were right next to the highway when we passed them and stopped. The second couple were not far beyond. One of the moose had an albino patch on her side. A local stopped and watched it as well, and gave us a scoop on them. They are quite rare.  The skies have cleared but we have decided to pass on the Lights tonight as we really do not know a good area for looking or photographing, and it is very hard to find something suitable in the dark.

We are going in search of sunrise (0830) in the morning and will be out by 0730. Then we have to go turn in snowshoes, do something with some dogs, get breakfast and check out by 1200. Then it will be back to Fairbanks. Will probably have LIGHTS tonight but they will be low on the horizon and
we really have little to no idea as to where to look. Our driver is good, another Mark, but we are all feeling our way. I am the only one who has been here before in the winter, and then I did not really get the feel of this area. I do recall a few locations though.

I am afraid there will be no pictures tonight!!! It is already midnight and I will be getting up about 0645 tomorrow.  I think the photos may be stacking up and put into the blog after the trip, so do stay
tuned.

Along the Parks Highway - South from Fairbanks to Denali N.P. >>>>

Ice Sculpture at Park V.C.

Snowshoeing to the R.R. Bridge

SATURDAY, MARCH 9TH

SATURDAY, March 9th.

This morning we were still shooting the Northern Lights at 0200! After getting back to the hotel, I downloaded the pictures,  I wrote a brief message for the day. Then it was off to bed. It was announced to us that Andrea and Michael had become engaged during the night of photography. He was very gallant and actually got down on his knee to propose to her under the Northern Lights. We wish them well and many years of happiness.

We were off to breakfast at 1000 this morning and then were off to photograph the North American Dog Sled Races. These races are for sled with 2,4,6, and 8 dog teams. They race on a course of a couple miles in length. We had a great time photographing them on the course.There will be some pictures later. It was a long session on our feet and sometimes sunk in the snow to our knees as we broke through the crust of the snow. It was a very pleasant day though.

After the dog sled racing we were off to scout out some possible sites for Northern Light Photography later in the week. Mark took us to several place, and one of our group has GPS on his iPhone so we were able to mark the areas for future reference. This is important as we will be returning to them after dark in the future. Once back in town we dined at a Chinese Restaurant.

The sky had clouded over, so we return to the Motel where we reviewed our pictures with Mark and each other.

I need to get some sleep so I am closing. This time there will Not be any pictures. I do promise to get some posted soon.

Saturday Morning at Olne's Pond >>>>>

FRIDAY IN FAIRBANKS

FRIDAY IN FAIRBANKS - MARCH 8TH

Quite a day!

Before breakfast we learned that our leader, Mark, had received news that his Father had passed away suddenly. To say the least it was quite a shock to him and to us. Mark is a very caring individual and really enjoys sharing his knowledge of an area and what you are trying to photograph. After about three hours of thinking things out he was back with a plan and had thought out the possibilities for our trip to continue. He has designated a person to take over the driving of the Van for us, and given us a couple of choices of how we should proceed. He has worked hard to get us set up with snacks, scheduled dog sled riding, and proceeded to educate us on shooting techniques, and locations to choose for photographing the Northern Lights. He will be leaving for his home in Illinois on Sunday evening to be with his family.

This afternoon we were off to Wal-Mart for snacks, and also a tripod for a participant who needed to replace one she had brought. Then we went on a scouting mission for one of the Northern Light sites. This was Olne's Pond. On the way in we had to negotiate a low area in the road which had colliected water and ice due to the warm weather of late. Once at Olne's Pond we went over camera settings and tried to get the lay of the land for different photo compositions. We ran into trouble trying to leave as we got off of the road and into some deep packed snow. After much backing and filling, using an announcement board at the sight, and more backing and filling, we were able to get the van turned around and headed back to the highway.

Back on the highway, Elliot Parkway, we headed for the small town of Fox for an early dinner at the Turtle Club. It is quite the bar and restaurant, with very good food. There are all sorts of collections of turtle figurines, etc. throughout the building. I had the halibut pieces which were battered and deep fried, along with a serving at the salad bar, and a baked potato. It was delicious but way too much food. I came away with three pieces of halibut which may get fed to the dogs tomorrow. They also served fresh baked bread! It took about two hours for all of this to transpire, so when we arrived back in Fairbanks it was a quick stop to dress for a night out at Olne's Pond for the Northern Lights. We were probably back on the road in 20 minutes!!

All of the scouting and rushing around was worth it. We had a good night of viewing and photographing the Northern Lights. They started slow but came through with some good color including reds. We were out at the Pond until about 0200 when we packed up. We had to take out memory cards and batteries as the cameras have to SLOWLY warm up to room temperatures. Before going inside we remove memory cards and batteries, and then close up the camera bag so that there will not be condensation inside the camera or lenses. We had to be careful of condensation on both the camera and lense while we were shooting at the temperature hovered around freezing all evening. I have done a quick review of the pictures I took today, but they will not be posted right away as we got back to the Motel about 0300 and breakfast will be at 1000. It is now 0430 and time for shower and bed

Stay tuned.

OK here are a couple of pictures -- :-)

 

FLYING TO FAIRBANKS

Fairbanks, Here I come!

I was at the at the San Diego Airport at 0600 for my 0805 flight to Seattle and on to Anchorage and finally Fairbanks. The line for getting through security looked quite daunting as it wound out and back on itself. As it was it moved quite well and I was through the security process and at the boarding gate in 45 minutes.

It was a long day in the air as I arrived in Fairbanks at 1730 P.S.T. (Alaska is on a one hour earlier time zone.) All of the group: 8 photographers and our leader, Mark; connected at the airport, and then moved on to the Super 8 Motel where we will be for all but one night. We went to dinner at one if not the best restaurant in town, The Pump House. It was very good. I enjoyed Alaskan Scallops wrapped in bacon and a very good house salad.

The sky is overcast at 2230 and so we will probably be able to get a good night's sleep tonight. With that in mind, I am about to head off to bed.

Here are a couple of pictures taken from the plane as I flew North today. I will have to peruse a map to tell you exactly which mountain is which, but you will just have to enjoy what you see tonight without titles. They are in the order as seen flying North.

 

 

 

 

 

OFF TO ALASKA

This raven maven seems to like to explore some of the colder areas of the country at times. Once again I am off to the frozen North. This time it is to Fairbanks, Alaska. 

Why? You ask.

Well this year is a peak year for solar activity which generates the Northern Lights. March is supposed to be a good month for having clear skies in Alaska. So, with all that I will be flying off to Fairbanks this coming Thursday morning, March 7th. I will be joining several other photographers with my friend, Mark Rasmussen of LightChase Photography, who acts as our fearless leader. During the days we will

be photographing dog sled races, an International Ice Sculpture Contest, and searching for wildlife to photograph.

Please bear with me with the uploading of images. If the nights are clear, we will be spending a lot of the night outside photographing the

Northern Light activity. It is a beautiful thing to see and watch, but

may leave little time for the blog. I will do my best to at least get a small entry done daily.

Welcome aboard!

YOSEMITE - TUES. FEB 19

Well the snow did not materialize early this morning. We were allowed to sleep in with breakfast being at 0700. We had fog and drizzle at that time.

We had a good breakfast as most all of us would be on the road or flying home during the rest of the day. As you all know airport food is

not the greatest, and those of us driving back to San Diego just nibble

along the way on snacks.

We valiantly tried to get into the Mariposa Grove for some photography, but they had already closed the road in anticipation of the upcoming storm. As a result we easily made it to Fresno for Mark and John’s flights out.

The drive South to San Diego went smoothly through a few rain showers. When we stopped North of the Grapevine on Rte. I-5 the weather was typical for this time of year, cold, windy, and generally raw. We asked the clerk at the gas station what their forecast was, and the reply was “Up to 18 inches of snow, with wind gusts to 70 mph. To say the least we were happy to get back on the road, and head for home before the snow started to fall.

The drive through the Pasadena area was a drag! Slow to crawling. Once over on I-15 it was pretty smooth driving. Got home about 1830. It was good to be home, but it was a wonderful trip.

The last photographs to be added will come in a day.  

Hope you all enjoyed the journey.

The next journey starts in two weeks when I head to Fairbanks, AK to

photograph the Northern Lights.  

YOSEMITE - Monday Feb 18

Hi ALL,

I again apologize on the meager entry for today. We were out shooting until after sunset, and then there was a long dinner hour. This all culminated with our trying to figure out tomorrow morning's routine.

There is a good chance of snow possibly starting as early as 0300. If this happens we are going to be off at 0500 to try and capture some of the snow in the Valley before we have to get people to the airport in Fresno by 1100. If the snow holds off until later in the morning we will sleep in a bit and
go to the Redwood Grove in the Wawona area to photograph the big trees with a meager amount of snow around them.

Therefore, I will continue to be overdue in downloading pictures to this site and giving you a better report of this adventure.

The next entry to the blog will be on Friday after two days of rest and recovery and cleaning up from this trip. Thank you for staying with me on the journey.

Nancy

Lower Yosemite Falls

Yosemite Falls

Young Mule Deer

Mule Deer Portrait

Bridal Veil Falls

 

Bridal Veil Falls Monochrome

Water Study 1

Water Study 2

Water Study 3

Water Study 4

Valley View 1

Valley View 2