One Year Ago

I like to look back one year to see where I was and what image I made. This image was made June 21 2011, Yosemite Falls. Darn, wish I was there.

Ah the digital age. I can easily retrieve any image by date in Lightroom. I'm using version 4 but any version of Lightroom works as well as many other applications including Aperture. It is also a great way for me to remember what I did in the past. Wasn't that the real reason for photography? To record memories? Now we use it to refresh our memories. Which reminds me, oh yea, I did go to Yosemite in 2011.

Tres Lagos

excerpted from Costa Rica Log 1/29/2010...
...at Ara Ambigua, we enjoyed an open air breakfast watching birds from our table. After breakfast and a short walk we returned to our room for a nap, attempting to get into the rhythm of Costa Rica. I woke abruptly when a housekeeper came into the room. I was laying atop the bed in nothing but my Exofficio Give-n-Go™ Briefs! Nice.

After I recovered from the embarrassment we drove to Lapa Verde refugio, (5 clicks from Ara Ambigua at Chilamate) met Oscar Lopez. Lapa Verde is a 650 hectare private reserve. A very important project to increase the corridor needed for the endangered Green Macaw. We chatted and I took the above photo of Oscar holding a leaf filled with moth caterpillars.

We returned to the lagos where the Egrets and Little Blue Herons were coming to roost. This heron on a palm made a rather interesting subject so I made several images as howler monkeys told me of their displeasure of our presence. Then as the light was fading, we returned to the lodge for dinner.

BEST OF 2009

Here we go again, the best of another year. Thanks to colleague Jim M. Goldstien HERE who has inspired many photographers to look over their past year's images and pick their favorite.

Here's mine.

Here is one of my all time favorite of the year. The look of anticipation on the young osprey as the parent brings a fresh trout back to the nest. This happened just a few moments after I set up my camera.

This guy had just rose after sitting for quite some time. He did a lip curl to check on a nearby female and as he raised his head I shot. Great expression!

What I like about this image is the reflection of the third bison.

I'd been wanting to photograph the beavers at Schwabacher Landing for years but was always distracted by other opportunities at Teton National Park. 2009 gave me this image.

Right time, right place. I was watching the morning mist rise off the water when out of the trees came a group of Mule Deer. I quickly grabbed my gear and made several images before they moved into the trees on the opposite bank.

Autumn leaves were floating down the creek and over this small rapid. I used a slow shutter speed to get the yellow blur under the water.

PURPLE HAZE

A rufous hummingbird feeds on thistle.

Another fallen leaf swirls down stream.

This wild mustang stood his ground while the rest of his group fed nearby. He watched me for 20 minutes before moving on.

I don't get much chance to photograph red leaves in fall as most of the trees near Tahoe are aspen. On a visit to Utah I found this wonderful scene.

Playing around with macro after a rain. Some of the best examples of water tension are found on lupine leaves. If you look close you can see me giving the peace sign in the reflection.

and finally...on the way to photograph a pileated woodpecker nest I found this image of Emerald Bay. An amazing morning.

Well, there they are. Maybe not my best of 2009 but my favorites. I hope you enjoy them.

Arctic Adventures

Recently I received another email showing the polar bears playing with sled dogs near Churchill, Canada. Many friends and fans have sent me this email over the years as I, too, have photographed polar bears. What many don't know is that I also photographed the sled dogs with the polar bears.

I shared coffee with the owner of the dogs while we warmed up in the pick-up truck I had borrowed. He asked me to look out for bears while he fed his dogs. He took a large block of frozen salmon from the back of his truck and proceeded to hack it up with an axe.

I wondered what he was doing as he tossed the first few large hunks in the opposite direction of the dogs. In a matter of minutes a polar bear showed up and began feeding on the distraction. Then he fed his dogs knowing that the polar bear would be busy eating the treat he left for it. The amazing part was how the dogs just swallowed the frozen hunk of salmon without chewing it.

Polar bears are known to be curious and this guy was no exception. He rose up on the tailgate to check out the rope that was in the bed of our truck. I grabbed a shot through the rear window as my photographer friend put the gear shift in neutral. The bear found the rope interesting, grabbed it with his teeth, and started pulling on it. The truck moved as the bear pulled on the rope. It was no strain for the bear, he pulled the truck without effort. The truck was like a little toy for him to play with. We weren't exactly thrilled to be in the polar bear's toy so we started the engine and the bear dropped down. Luckily the bear lost interest in us rather quickly.

Kissing a rock

On our last adventure we found ourselves at the City of Rocks in Idaho. Got there after dark, found a camp spot, and settled in. The next day we explored the area and found an arch. I couldn't actually get under the arch but I did manage to stick my camera under it and click a shot. To my surprise I found another arch hidden within. I made more photographs and came up with this interesting view. Looks like a rock figure kissing another rock. Let me know if you see it or if I'm stretching my vision.

On the Road Again

Hello from Grand Teton National Park. It has been way too hot but tomorrow they say we might get snow. That is good as it will keep the wildlife active. Only problem, I will want to sleep in. I have lots of new images to share and will be posting them soon. Hope you enjoy the first two, here...

Just a quick post to let you know that I will be giving my "Theory of Rhythms" presentation at the Duke Theater at Lake Tahoe Community College on Monday Oct 12th at 7 PM.

It's free and is part of the Tahoe Art League's Art Expo Tahoe.

On Oct 14 and 15 I will be showing my work at the Edgewood. I'll post more when I return to Tahoe in about a week.

Thanks for looking.

End of Season

It's been a great summer even though the weather was not as consistent as usual. During the summer I made a few new images and showed my work at a couple of different places. The image above was a Lucky Break. I was on my way to photograph a pileated woodpecker nest on the west shore and I was a little disappointed when I woke to find heavy cloud cover. I wanted the woodpecker nest in early morning light but I decided to go anyway.

I got excited as I approached Emerald Bay as the sun broke through the thick clouds and god rays were hitting the lake. When I made the turn around Devil's Slide I caught a glimpse of the bay and the clouds reflecting on mirror like water. Quickly I pulled into a turnout, set up my tripod, made a few images, then continued on to find the pileated. When I edited my images from the days shoot, this image popped off the screen. What a Lucky Break!

Oh, by the way, here's a photo of the pileated at the nest:

Another day in the Rhythm.

Hummers are back!

You may remember that last year I photographed dozens of rufous hummingbirds feeding on thistle that had come up after the big Tahoe fire. I was wondering if they would return this year along with the thistle. Well they have! What a treat. Dozens of little hummingbirds protecting their small territory among the patches of thistle.

Lots of other stuff is going on in the burn area; houses being built. the fireweed is in full display, a red-shouldered hawk is working the area, tons of different wildflowers have sprouted up. All in all, a great place to see how nature rebounds.

If you want to know exactly where the hummers are, shoot me an email. It is really something to experience.

If you would like to attend a "Workshop by the Day" to see and photograph hummingbirds, improve your skills, and learn lots of stuff about photography and nature, let me know.

Spring in the Sierra's

Okay, I know some of you have been enjoying spring for some time now. Flowers blooming,birds chirping, walking around in shorts. Well, spring comes a little later in the sierra's. We still have snow on the ground and even though we have our occasional warm days in the 50's, it still snows now and then and the overnight temps are usually below freezing.

Our closest hint of spring is in Nevada, just 20 minutes over Luther Pass. A good place to get warm, okay, not warm but warmer.

Lately we've been counting sage grouse in Nevada. That's fun. Early morning at the lek will sometimes provide photo opps.

This one came close enough to get some intimate photos of him displaying, trying to attract a female.

Nearby we've found this Great Horned Owl nest with newly hatched young

At a small wetland lake we found my old friends, the American White Pelican. Spent the night and watched them lift in the morning. What a site to see them riding the thermals, climbing higher and higher, until they can glide a hundred miles without flapping a wing.

My Top 10 Images of 2008

"Pick your top ten images of 2008" was the challenge I found at a colleauge's blog, Jim M. Goldstein.  What a great idea! 

As I edit each shoot during the year I pick either what I think is best for the project, or what my client or editor requested. Many times those aren't necessarily my favorites. By the end of the year I forget about some of my more creative moments.

My first cut ended up at 63 images, then I whittled it down to 40, 20, 15, and 12. Sorry, I just couldn't cut out 2 more. Well, I could, but I really wanted them included.

The images are in no particular order. I had a hard enough time choosing these twelve, I just couldn't pick my absolute favorite. 

If you would like to choose your favorite, or your least favorite, add a comment at the end of the post, or send me an email. Thanks. I'll be posting some of the runner ups on my web site this month.

At the end of this post is a challenge for you so be sure to read the end.

LEAP OF FAITH 

I just love this one. The position of the two front paws, just about to pounce on lunch. The tail pointing up and the intent look on the face. But what I like the most is the texture of the tall dry grasses. Okay, this might be my favorite.

FOREST IMPRESSIONS

I started messing with impressionism, first with 'Just Water' then taking it a step further with scenes of nature. You'll find I picked several as my top 12.

SCENT OF A WOMAN 

Bison at Yellowstone National park. Lip curl, lots of action, and another of my favorite shots.

WILLOW ABSTRACT 

Early this year I started to photograph my new series, "Just Water". Later on I took it further by making Abstract Impressionism images by using slow shutter speeds and moving the camera. Lots of images, lots of good ones and a whole lot that just didn't work.

FIRST GLANCE 

As many of you know, I love to photograph moose. They are only trumped by being in close proximity to bears. Watching their habits during the rut gives hours of natural viewing pleasure. It appears that the bull moose is going to choose its mate. But as we all know, the female makes the final choice.

ILLUSIONS AT MIRROR LAKE

A tranquil setting at an over photographed spot in Yosemite NP.
Chaos transforms into serenity.

COW PARSNIP
I used this image in an article on relationships. The most important relationship for a photographer is his/her relationship to the subject. The more you get to know your subject the more it will reveal itself to you. After many years of photographing cow parsnips, I finally got to know this one intimately.

FLUID AUTUMN

Another of the abstract impressionism series. This one is a small section of an image of Taylor Creek with fall color reflections and a leaf floating by.

LAST RUN
You may have seen my "In The Rhythm of Kokanee" slide show. This image is from that project. The movement of the water flowing over the kokanee as it makes it's final attempt to the spawning area.

FAMILY PORTRAIT
Look at the position of the paws on mama bear. Can you believe that? And the expressions on their faces? This is really being in the rhythm. Mama and her two cubs just hung around for a couple of hours, not bothered by me at all. I gave them plenty of space and when they were good and ready, they moved into the adjacent forest to search for food and another place to rest.

EMERGENCE
The sun peeked out from under the morning clouds lighting the Teton range and kissing the bottom of a passing storm.

LOOKING FORWARD TO THE 'BEST OF 2009'

This exercise helped me realize I accomplished more than I thought I did and it made me feel much better about this past year. So why not do this for other parts of our lives? This has been a challenging year, but if we look back at our personal lives we will find many positive events. 

So here is the challenge: List all the positive events this past year that have touched you personally. Not just the vacation you took, but what was the best part? Did you ride a roller coaster that you thought you'd never ride? Did you meet someone new that enriched your life or read a book that gave you a different perspective?  You'll feel a whole lot better about 2008 when you have your own "Best of 2008" Good luck, and let me know how it goes.

Plans Change

Unfortunately, our Adventure Costa Rica tours for 2009 have been canceled due to personal health issues. Jim had neck surgery on December 10th that will prevent him from traveling out of country until late next year. We apologize to all of you who planned to join us. I am so grateful that those who booked are taking it so well and have committed to our 2010 tours. Thank you! and thank you for all your concerns and positive thoughts.

On a more positive note we were able to enjoy a couple of days at the Sacramento NWR during Thanksgiving weekend. All we can say is, awesome! Great weather, plenty of birds and other wildlife, and lots of great photos. 

1 million snow geese migrate from the arctic to winter in Sac NWR! ONE MILLION! Plus other ducks, geese, cranes, hawks, eagles, and owls. There is a 6 mile auto tour that circles part of the refuge that grants plenty of birding and photography opportunities.

If you are traveling I-5 near Williams follow the signs and make the time to take the self-guided auto-tour. And if you have never been to Granzella's Deli in Williams, you are missing a lot of fun and great food! We always make it a 'must stop' every time we are passing by.

Since Jim's surgery was at UC Davis Med Ctr in Sac and very early in the morning, we decided to leave the day before. Jim has always wanted to visit Effie Yeaw Nature Center along the American River. With just his point and shoot and only a couple of hours to spend, we had a ball. If you haven't been there, do it. What a great place, and be sure to stop by the Visitors Center. Lots of deer, turkey, hawks, and plenty of birds. It is a little tricky to get to but check Google maps. It is between Sunrise and Watt off of Fair Oaks.

For now Jim will be recovering and as soon as he has enough energy he will probably be on his laptop posting more blogs. Until then, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Addendum: Today is Dec. 26 and it is the kind of day that makes you remember why you live in snow country. For the last week or so it has been snowing, blowing and just pretty miserable. Today the sky is blue, the snow is deep powder, the trees are flocked with the white stuff and you couldn't ask for a better day. If you live in the Sierra's or are close you must come up. It is awesome! Maybe later we can grab a picture or two and post them.

Safe travels...

In The Rhythm of Moose

Recently, Kathy and I made our way to our favorite spots in Grand Teton National Park finding great scenics, bears, river otters, osprey, coyote, bison, pronghorn, and elk. But we both knew the trip wouldn't be successful until we spent a fair amount of time with our favorite, the largest of the deer family, Alces alces, the North American Moose.

I don't know about you, but I am fascinated with moose. Many think they are strange looking and ungainly, me, I think they are too cool.

Naturally, when you see an animal in a certain place you go back to the same spot year after year. It's like fishing. You always fish the same hole you caught the 'big one' in. While some animals may just be passing through, moose seem to always hang out in the same habitat at the same time of year.

Off we went to some of the best and most dependable moose habitat in the Rockies. While hiking the game trails that meander through aspens and willows we discussed how sometimes you can be just a few yards from a resting moose and not know it. After a couple of tries we found our friends. A large bull moose and 5 cows. The rut was in full swing and at times the action was intense.

At one point the bull was trying to get the cows attention. It would thrash the willows with its huge antlers. No response. Then it made a wallow by scraping the ground bare with its hooves then urinating to make a mud puddle then laying in it. This got the cows attention and three of them came running.

The bull got up and one cow would rub herself against him while another chased off the third and sat in the wallow herself. This went on for a few moments until one cow meandered off with the bull in hot pursuit, while the other cow sat in the wallow for about 30 minutes.

As dusk fell quietly and quickly, the moose moved to a more secluded place, we cautiously followed keeping a distance that would not intrude on our subjects. Our persistence paid off. Just before dark the moose mounted the cow. We left fully satisfied as the last time we witnessed this was in Alaska many years ago.

The next day we returned to spend more time with the group. As we waited and watched we found ourselves surrounded by all six moose as they rested or munched on the willows. We found ourselves completely surrounded by the Rhythm of Moose.

In The Rhythm of Kokanee?

I promised I would update on our Rocky Mountain shoot to the Tetons and Yellowstone and I will, but I have other news first!

We returned from the Rockies on Saturday the 11th, and on Sunday we took a short ride to Taylor Creek where the Kokanee spawn at Lake Tahoe. Kokanee are landlocked cousins of the sea-going Sockeye Salmon and were planted by 

biologists in 1944. Every year they return to spawn where they were born, Taylor Creek. Almost every year I also return to watch, photograph and hopefully see a bear. 

This year it happened! Kathy was the first to see the bear, just 50 feet or so off the paved trail that boarders Taylor Creek. We watched as it approached the trail and as it did others noticed it, too. There must have been a couple of hundred people that came to see the Kokanee and a good many where in the right spot to see the bear.

For this past week I have done little else except go to Taylor Creek in hopes of photographing more bears fishing for the bright red Kokanee. So far I have seen and photographed 3 different bears.

One night, after almost everyone left and it was getting too dark for photographs, Kathy and I decided to take one last walk down the path toward the stream profile chamber. A bear was pulling a Kokanee out of the stream that came from the chamber and was walking in my direction. In a flash, it dropped the fish and started running toward ME! I was only about 50 feet from the bear and before I could say holy 'you know what' the bear jumped up the Aspen that I was standing next to! (you can see the Aspen on the right of the photo, I was on the trail just a few feet from the Aspen) After a moment or two, the bear came down from the tree, stood on its hind legs and sniffed the air, then found the fish it dropped and ate it. We left. What a thrill!

This a very large  bear I photographed the night after the 'Thrill', 

perhaps this is what scared the other bear! What a fat Bear!

Teton trip results on my next blog... stay tuned.

Adventure Costa Rica 09

Exciting news! We are getting closer to our Adventure Costa Rica 09. Yep! Summer is over and I am finalizing the itinerary for two adventures and boy, I am excited! We adjusted our tour to make it even more fun, see more stuff, and maximize our adventure.

We are going to watch a Volcano erupt, weather permitting. See crocodiles, enjoy a sunset cruise on the Tarcoles River, swim in liquid gold on Costa Rica's most famous beach, visit a coffee plantation, eat with the locals, hike to waterfalls, watch monkeys play, and see Costa Rica's most sought after birds, the Scarlet Macaw and the elusive Resplendent Quetzal.

Of course, I will be there to share my knowledge of photography, Costa Rican travel, and wildlife while Dino, our local bilingual guide, will show us hidden treasures and tell us all about Costa Rican culture. (Dino is one funny guy)

11 day tours;

Tour 1 leaves Feb 14 2009

Tour 2 leaves Feb 28 2009. 

Limit 12 Explorers. 

Cost: $2350 per person, double occupancy.

Includes everything except flight and alcohol. 

Hotels, transportation, meals, tours, park entrance fees, guides, non-alcoholic drinks. Lots of fun and adventure.

For more information, itinerary, application, and to reserve your space email:

info@stamates.com

or call 800.367.5772

Each tour is limited to the first 12 Explorers! Our tours fill fast, don't miss out on an adventure of a lifetime!

It's not a vacation, it's an Adventure!

Here's is what past explorers have said:

Even the travel along the Pan-American Highway felt like an adventure!…Bob ’08

Sunset cruise was phenomenal, every moment of it!…swallows fed, quietly ‘kissing’ their reflection…Sue ’08

As evidenced by how long it took me to get (back) ‘into country’ I’d say it was one fantastic tour, probably even life-changing…Sheryl ’08

I met new people at every stop and came home with many tico acquaintances…Erin ‘08