Happy World Photography Day 2024!
It’s a beautiful day to chase the light here in Southcentral Alaska. As always, thank you for following!
Colin
August morning at the Eagle River Nature Center, Chugach State Park
The Trees Have Eyes
The trees have eyes...
I had countless encounters with great horned owls while residing at the Eagle River Nature Center. Several images from those encounters are in my book (and 2025 calendar), and I was once a guest on the local NPR radio program "Hometown Alaska" where I recounted capturing some of those photos and how I developed an eye for spotting owls despite their capability to camouflage themselves quite well.
A few nights ago I was playing my guitar when I noticed something in a birch tree behind my place that had a distinct and familiar shape. I continued to strum until I saw it move and knew immediately what it was. I grabbed my camera and got quite a few frames as this owl scanned the area and watched me with fixated curiosity.
Colin
Summer Photography Class at the Eagle River Nature Center
I taught a 2-day summer photography workshop this past weekend for the Alaska Society of Outdoor and Nature Photographers. ASONP is a great organization that I belong to (and serve on the board of directors): https://asonp.org/. I encourage local photographers to visit our site and consider joining this wonderful network of fellow Alaskan shutterbugs.
The inclement forecast was daunting, but the skies smiled upon us and the rain let up while we were on the trails. It turned out to be great light for wildflowers and closeups, and everyone had a great time - a big thank you to everyone who attended! Here are a few of my favorite images.
On a side note, my 2025 calendars have arrived and preorders will be mailed out soon...! "Seasons of the Nature Center" books and calendars are available here:
https://www.colintyler.com/online-store
Cheers!
Colin
Dwarf Fireweed
Cranberry leaves
Wood ferns
The group!
Black Bear Video
It's getting to be that time of year again! Baby animals, including bear cubs, will soon be emerging and attracting photographers and onlookers alike.
I shot this series over the summer last year and waited to post it for a couple of reasons. First, it took a while to edit the clips and create the entire video. Second, and more importantly, I didn't want to draw any more attention to the bears. As a photographer who is continually building an online audience, I understand the desire for likes, comments, and overall traffic on my page. However, I have learned how this can draw crowds and ultimately, create a bad situation for the wildlife. I now wait to post content of unique and sensitive subjects until they have moved on, and unless there's a defining feature in the image, I don't give a location - if asked, I'll usually say it was "In the woods".
So remember, it's OK to be selfish and keep unique opportunities to yourself and still get the 'likes' when you post after the fact, and it might help prevent a dangerous and potentially tragic situation for both the animals and the observers.
Thank you for following, and please enjoy the bear cubs play fighting...
Colin
Double Rainbow, July 2020
For all the challenges that 2020 brought, it was also the year of double rainbows here at the Eagle River Nature Center. I captured a number of nice images that summer and this one was in use last year by AT&T Alascom on their 2021 poster calendar. I've now added it to my website and online store, available on canvas, metal, and high-gloss photo paper
Wishing you all double rainbows in the year ahead...
Colin
Double Rainbow at the Eagle River Nature Center, July 2020
Bull Moose at Sunset
When the opportunity presents itself, I always like to include environment with wildlife photos for a sense of place and scale. This bull moose fed in the creek for a bit and then wandered off shortly before sunset last night, with the alpenglow still lighting up the Chugach Range.
Colin
Coastal Waterfall, Prince William Sound
I recently submitted some images to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for use in a project called the "Alaska Coastal Mapping Campaign" which will be viewed by the President, Interior Secretary, and other administration officials. It is a honor to have a number of images selected for the project and in the process of searching through my files I came across a few gems that I almost forgotten about, like this one.
Have a great day out there and thank you for following along!
Colin
AlaskaWild 2021
Hello Everyone,
I am honored to announce that three of my images have been selected to the annual AlaskaWild exhibition sponsored by the Alaska Society of Outdoor and Nature Photographers. I joined the organization last year and have enjoyed meeting other photographers and utilizing the great resources that ASONP offers. If you are in Anchorage, the show will be at Side Street Espresso beginning this Friday, April 2. From there, the photos will be displayed at various locations throughout the state over the next year. If you have a chance, I encourage you to see all the stunning images that have been chosen for this year's show. If you are interested in joining ASONP, you can find more information here: https://asonp.org/
Have a great weekend and thank you for following along...
Colin
Brown bear in autumn, Eagle River Nature Center
Juvenile great horned owl, Eagle River Nature Center
December Sunrise, Eagle River Nature Center
2020 Themes
If 2020 had any overriding themes for my photography I'd say it was owls, rainbows, and lynx, in that order. While it's been a challenging year in many ways, I am grateful for the opportunities I found in my backyard and look forward to what 2021 will bring.
I am hopeful that travel will resume before too long and while it's not likely that I will be leading another tour in Cuba this winter, I am looking to return in February of 2022. Michael L Haring and I have two tours scheduled for Iceland this coming August, both of which are already half full. For more information on the tours and to sign up for our e-newsletter, please visit our new website: https://naturalexposurestours.com/. We will also be launching a Facebook page for Natural Exposures Photography Tours, LLC, which I will announce in the near future.
Have a great weekend out there and, as always, thank you for following my adventures!
Colin
Juvenile great horned owl
July double rainbow
Female lynx
Saw-whet Owl Box Presentation
Hey Everyone! You may recall that last summer I was able to join local owl enthusiast, Andrew Fisher, while he checked the activity in nesting boxes he had built & placed around the Anchorage area. Later in the season, I went out with him again along with a biologist from the State of Alaska and documented the banding of saw-whet fledglings. I am excited to say that Andrew will be giving a presentation on his owl boxes for the Eagle River Nature Center via Zoom this Sunday at 2pm (AKST). I will be attending virtually and you can too! Follow this link to register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUrcOmvrjojHNDq1dYitqrPYzjmANokF3Hc?fbclid=IwAR3TTTGsXnx4F1vFSdAduHIA6-L5tWLDNlpsVsLfPGjfn7wIPmPRaMvp7RY
Thank you and I hope you can join us!
Colin
Sw-whet owl fledglings
Kenai Brown Bears Instead of Iceland
I keep mulling over the fact that I should be in Iceland right now getting ready to lead a tour. I was scheduled to depart yesterday but since traveling there isn't possible right now, I made the best of a beautiful summer day and found some Alaskan brown bears fishing for salmon. All in all, it was a good alternative.
Have a great weekend out there!
Colin
Young brown bear fishing for salmon in the Kenai River
Moose Monday, August Edition
Summer is winding down and this guy's antlers are almost finished growing for the season. Soon he will shed the nourishing velvet layer and carry his polished crown into early winter, when it will be dropped to make room for next year's.
Happy Moose Monday out there!
Colin
Weekend Rainbows?
I do believe I've found it - the rainbow connection! Can't get enough of these late evening 'bows. Have a great weekend, wherever you are. There is some rain in the forecast for South Central Alaska, and that is half of the ingredients for a rainbow.
Happy light chasing!
Colin
Late evening rainbow, Eagle River Nature Center, Alaska
Another Sunset Rainbow!
Wouldn't you know it, we had another sunset rainbow last night! These late evening light shows have been spectacular and if you live in the Anchorage/Eagle River area, I hope you have been enjoying them as well.
Cheers,
Colin
Rainbow at the Eagle River Nature Center, Alaska
The Summer of Double Rainbows
This certainly has been the summer of double rainbows in Eagle River Valley! After last year's dry season, I welcome the rain and its subsequent light shows.
Have a magical Monday out there and thank you for following along!
Colin
The Owls Return
It's always nice to start my day with owls. Shortly after this juvenile great horned owl began flying it left the area for a couple weeks. I was happy to see it return with its mother to their former hunting grounds.
Have a great weekend and thank you for following along!
Colin
Juvenile Great Horned Owl, Eagle River Nature Center, Alaska
Northern Goshawk Chicks
Back to raptor photos today. Look closely, those are northern goshawk chicks. This was a rare opportunity to observe them in their nest at eye-level. I even watched the adults successfully hunt and feed the chicks! Soon they will be soaring and hunting on their own.
Colin
Evening Moose
I've been posting so many owl photos & videos recently I thought it was time to share some of the local megafauna. Here is a cow moose in late evening light.
Hope you enjoy it. Happy Tuesday!
Colin
July Photo Class
Hey everyone, I am going to be offering an introductory photo class next month at the Eagle River Nature Center! I will hold a Zoom presentation for all of the attendees on Friday, July 24 at 6 pm and schedule individual two-hour outdoor sessions with everyone on Saturday, July 25. Cost is $75 and there are only 6 spots so if you or someone you know is interested, please follow the link below to register and feel free to share!
https://www.ernc.org/courses/nature-photography-workshop
PS - I am looking into offering a more advanced photography class later in the summer for those who have attended one my intro classes, so stay tuned for that...
Thank you,
Colin
Summer Wildflowers, Eagle River Nature Center, Alaska
Hiding Among the Grasses
With the wild grasses and flowers reaching their peak seasonal growth, it's easy for large mammals to remain hidden from sight at close proximity. I took this yesterday morning as the sow black bear was grazing next to the trail. The cubs aren't yet tall enough to spot when they're on the ground so I watch for moving vegetation to monitor their whereabouts.
Colin
Black Bear, Eagle River Nature Center, Alaska