Happy Winter Solstice to all of you in the Northern Hemisphere!
(Photo taken at the Eagle River Nature Center's annual Solstice Ice Lantern Walk last Friday)
I truly love this time of year - the snow, the peace, the low angle light, and the rest...
It is also my day to reset, let go, and welcome the year ahead. This is my New Year, and I look forward to ringing it in and honoring the returning light with my tradition of completing 108 sun salutations at Namaste North Yoga Studio in Anchorage.
Have a great day, however you may choose to honor the shift in light and seasons.
Namaste 🙏
Colin
PS - I have one last book signing of the year at Odd Man Rush Brewing in Eagle River tomorrow, (12/22) from 5-8 pm. Please stop by, grab a local brew and get a signed copy of "Seasons of the Nature Center"
Aurora and Open River, April 23, 2023
Another photo from Sunday's epic aurora display!
I've had this image in mind for quite a while, I just needed everything to come together for a late season geomagnetic storm that brought lights far enough across the eastern sky to line up with the river and Polar Bear Peak, with the river ice opening up to expose the flowing water below. I used a Lume Cube to briefly illuminate the ice shelf during the exposure.
This image probably would have ended up in my book "Seasons of the Nature Center" if I'd captured it before press time. Speaking of my book - I am picking up two advance copies today! The rest are en route and should arrive in about 6 weeks. I am still taking preorders for books and 2024 calendars on my website and will be offering a discount on metal & canvas prints to everyone who has ordered a copy: https://www.colintyler.com/online-store
As always, thank you for following!
Colin
2022 Winter Solstice Ice Lantern Walk
Fire and ice at 10˚ below zero.
The annual Winter Solstice Ice Lantern Walk has always been one of my favorite events to photograph here at the Nature Center, and I'm glad I was able to get a few more images this year, my last as a resident staff member. With 3 feet of snow on the ground and subzero temps, conditions were perfect for this celebration of light.
I believe one of these new images is going to make it into my upcoming book, "Seasons of the Nature Center." This will be a limited edition, 9x12" coffee table book with more than 100 pages of my favorite photos from nearly a decade of residence at the Eagle River Nature Center. I am now taking pre-orders for signed copies, $30 + $10 shipping: https://www.colintyler.com/online-store/seasons-of-the-nature-center-book
Thank you for following,
Colin
Frozen Salmon
I walked out to one of my favorite spots along the river this morning. Surprised to find it nearly frozen solid, I decided it was an opportunity to turn my camera away from the big scene and take a closer look at the rapidly changing river. As a true testament to the season, frost flowers have returned and there was a salmon completely encased in ice.
Have a great Monday out there!
Colin
Blue Christmas
Taken one year ago with an Elvis song playing in my head. I am going to get outside for a while today. Anybody else planning to enjoy the great outdoors on this Christmas Day?
Merry Christmas from Eagle River Valley, Alaska,
Colin
An Otter Day in Eagle River Valley
Some days are just luckier than otters...
I observed this pair for quite a while today as they swam, crawled around on the ice and frolicked in the snow. In the midst of it all, I watched a mink walk along the bank and swim across the open water. All in all, a good day for semiaquatic mammals!
River Otters
I wasn't the only one out enjoying the fresh snow and subzero temperatures today (we haven't climbed above zero for over two days now). I was fortunate enough to happen upon a pair of river otters swimming about and keeping a wary eye on me from their icy perch. River otter sightings are rare; I've only had the opportunity to photograph them once prior, nearly two years ago.
Colin
