Namibian Independence Day 2015

Today marks 35 years of independence for Namibia. A gem of Southern Africa, it is one of the youngest nations on the entire continent and one of the best functioning democracies.

I look forward to returning to Namibia this October to lead our 4th tour of that country. We've added a few days in Botswana and a day trip to Victoria Falls as well, and we are filling up fast!

If you or anyone you know is interested in joining the 2025 Southern Africa Adventure (Oct 19 - Nov 2) with Nat Expo Tours, please email me - we have a few spots left. More info and a detailed itinerary (plus testimonials from previous guests) here: https://natexpotours.com/2025-namibia/

Sending good wishes to Namibia on this anniversary!

Colin

Himba village


Oryx, Namib-Naukluft National Park


Zebras, Onguma Private Game Reserve

 

Sossusvlei dry ancient lakebed, Namib-Naukluft National Park

A Deeper Look at Havana

Havana, Feb 21, 2025 - our first full day with the group. After visiting the plazas, the Malecón (seawall), and other famous sites around the city, our guide took us to some less visited areas, including a boxing gym run by former Cuban heavyweight champion Radamé Castillo. While he trains the next generation of Cuban boxers, across from the ring families whose casas crumbled years prior are living in makeshift "homes" consisting of sections cordoned off with sheets, tarps, and whatever is available for some semblance of privacy. What was supposed to be a temporary situation now looks to be indefinite...

This was my 6th visit to Cuba since 2018. In that time, I have seen the amount of commerce steadily decline, along with the vibrant street scenes and nightlife. Nevertheless, time has shown that the Cuban people are resilient and resourceful. While I am certain they will navigate the current economic hardships brought about by diplomatic challenges and intensified by the pandemic, I can't help but empathize with them and feel satisfaction knowing that our visits offer some support to our guides, drivers, hosts, street vendors, and others.


To visit Cuba with Nat Expo Tours is very much a cultural experience. We explore the cities and the countryside, museums, national parks, and more. Our guests inevitably experience a full range of emotions and leave with a sense of gratitude and appreciation for the opportunity to connect with some of our closest neighbors. Dates for the February 2026 tour are posted on on our website: https://natexpotours.com/2023-cuba/

Please message me if you are interested in experiencing Cuba with us!

Colin

www.colintyler.com

 




Cuba 2025, Havana

We just wrapped up our 2025 Cuba Tour with Nat Expo Tours. Our group was wonderful - everyone had a great time and was equally moved by the interactions we had with the Cuban people. We spent the first two days in Havana, walking around the city with our guide, Yasel, and exploring places that were new even to me.

Aside from the quintessential locales and photographing the classic cars, we visited areas off the beaten "tourist" path and witnessed some of the realities of life in Cuba. This time I trained my camera on these aspects, the often overlooked and downtrodden, and will share those images next.

We've got the dates up for next year's Cuba tours, with two sets of dates available. More info and a detailed itinerary here: https://natexpotours.com/2023-cuba/

Please contact me if you are interested in joining us, and thank you for following,

Colin

 



Elephants of Chobe

Chobe National Park in northern Botswana is home to over 100,000 elephants, more than any park in all of Africa. I couldn't begin to tell you how many elephants we saw on the Southern Africa Adventure with Nat Expo Tours last October. The evening boat tour on the Chobe River gave us some of our best viewing opportunities...

We have started to fill the October 2025 Africa Tour, please email me if you are interested.

We could still add a couple people to the Cuba tour next month, as well as Norway in March and Nepal in May. Visit our site for detailed itineraries and prices: https://natexpotours.com/

As always, thank you for following.

Colin

 


Hippos on the Chobe River

There is no misunderstanding when a hippo tells you to stay back!

Chobe River, Botswana, October 2024.

Are you interested in visiting Africa? We have spaces for the October 2025 Namibia/Botswana tour with Nat Expo Tours. Visit our website for more info on 2025 adventures, including Cuba in February, Norway in March, and Nepal in May.

Cheers!

Colin


Chobe River Sunset

Sunset on the Chobe River, Botswana.

This evening certainly was a highlight of the October 2024 Southern Africa Adventure with Nat Expo Tours! We went for an evening boat ride on the Chobe River and saw a plethora of wildlife including elephants, cape buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, and several bird species. As the sun began to sink toward the horizon and morph into an orange sphere, I asked our guide to position us so we would have an opportunity to photograph the animals against the quintessential African sunset.

Please message me if you are interested in joining one of our adventures this year - we still have a few spots open for Cuba in February, Norway in March, Nepal in May, and Africa in October. You can check out our page or visit our site for more info: https://natexpotours.com/

Thank you for following my journeys and all the best for 2025!

Colin

 


Scenes from the Onguma Ground Hide, Namibia

Plains zebras and impala as seen from the ground hide in Onguma Private Game Reserve, Namibia.

The famous ground hide offers unique opportunities to photograph African wildlife from a low perspective. Of my four visits to the hide, this day was perhaps the most memorable (see previous posts of the bull elephants).

Our October 2025 Southern Africa Adventure with Nat Expo Tours is about half filled at this point. Please message me if you are interested in joining us and visit our site for more info: https://natexpotours.com/

Cheers!

Colin

www.colintyler.com



Scenes from Etosha

Scenes from Etosha National Park, Namibia. The giraffes and rhinos were at a waterhole bordering the Okaukuejo Rest Camp, with the quintessential African sunset. We always spend a night at the Okaukuejo Lodge on our tours with the hopes of having an evening like this.

The greater kestrel and lions were taken the following day. You may recognize the "Lion Tree" from an image I took in 2022, framed by the Etosha Pan.

Dates for the 2025 Southern Africa Adventure Oct 19 - Nov 2 and once again include Namibia, Botswana, and Victoria Falls. Please give our page a follow - Nat Expo Tours, LLC - and visit our site for detailed itineraries: https://natexpotours.com/

We still have a few spaces open for Cuba in February and Arctic Norway in March - Tromsø, Lofoten Islands, and…🤞auroras!

As always, thank you for following my journeys. Please message me if you or someone you know might be interested in joining us in 2025!

Colin

 

Giraffes at the Okaukuejo waterhole


Giraffes at the Okaukuejo waterhole


Rhinos at the Okaukuejo waterhole


Greater kestrel


“The Lion Tree”

Southwestern Black Rhino

The southwestern black rhino - this photo was taken at the waterhole by the Okaukuejo Rest Camp in Namibia's Etosha National Park. Etosha is a stronghold for this critically endangered subspecies of rhinoceros. While the population is strong, the park does not release numbers as poaching remains a serious threat. We were fortunate to observe two rhinos interacting at the Okaukuejo waterhole on our first evening in Etosha.

The dates & itinerary for the 2025 Southern Africa Adventure with Nat Expo Tours are up on our site (Oct 19 - Nov 2): https://natexpotours.com/2025-namibia/

Please email me if you are interested in joining us - we have a few people on the roster already!

Colin

 

Salvin's Albatross, New Zealand

Salvin's albatross, Kaikoura, New Zealand. Taken on our recent excursion with Albatross Encounter Kaikoura.

I'm still editing through photos from both Africa & New Zealand and will have more to share in the coming days. We're also busy planning next year's adventures with Nat Expo Tours. Please give our page a follow on Facebook and Instagram and visit our site to see a list of 2025 destinations & itineraries, including Cuba in February, Arctic Norway in March, and Nepal in May: https://natexpotours.com/

As always, thank you for following my journeys!

Colin

www.colintyler.com



More from the Kaikoura Albatross Encounter Excursion

More images from our morning excursion with Albatross Encounter Kaikoura in New Zealand last week! The first is a giant northern petrel against the early morning sky. The second is a cape petrel, also called the pintado (painted) petrel. The third image is a wandering albatross, also known as the snowy or white-winged albatross.

We are working out the details for the November 2025 New Zealand tour. Please message me if you are interested or visit our site: https://natexpotours.com/. We also have spaces available for Cuba in February, Arctic Norway in March, Nepal in May, Croatia in September, and Southern Africa in October.

Cheers!

Colin

Giant Northern Petrel


Cape Petrel of Pintado (Painted) Petrel


Wandering Albatross, aka Snowy or White-Winged Albatross

 

Kaikoura Sunrise & Northern Royal Albatross

Northern royal albatross, taken last week with Albatross Encounter Kaikoura. The day began with a brilliant sunrise, which made for dramatic skies and backgrounds for our bird photography. We saw 5 different species of albatross and numerous other seabirds, many of them endemic to New Zealand.

We will be leading another New Zealand tour next November with Nat Expo Tours. Please email me if you are interested.

Cheers!

Colin

Sunrise in Kaikoura, New Zealand


Northern royal albatross

Beach Sunset, Nelson, New Zealand

Our New Zealand tour has now concluded and I have arrived in Maui, where I will be spending 5 days before returning home to Alaska. There will be more to share in the coming days from New Zealand and the Southern Africa tour, so please stay tuned for that.

Please email me if you are interested in joining any of our 2025 adventures with Nat Expo Tours, including Cuba, Norway, Nepal, Croatia, Africa, and New Zealand.

Cheers!

Colin

 

Elephants from the Onguma Ground Hide, Namibia

Bordering Etosha National Park in Namibia, the Onguma Private Game Reserve has a ground hide that offers an experience like no other. From the hide, your lens is level with the waterhole and gives you opportunities to safely view wildlife from a perspective that is unique and nearly impossible to duplicate without the use of a camera trap.

On my recent visit, we had three bull elephants visit the waterhole for nearly an hour, drinking and splashing, throwing mud across their backs to protect from the harsh Namibian sun. It certainly was one of my best days photographing elephants, and one of my most inspired moments of the 2024 Southern Africa Adventure with Nat Expo Tours.

Please message me if you are interested in joining us next year. Dates are Oct 19 - Nov 2, 2025, and we already have people on the roster. You can view the details on our site: https://natexpotours.com/

Cheers!

Colin

 





Giraffes in Bwabwata National Park, Namibia

The 2024 Southern Africa Adventure is drawing to a close. We added some new destinations to the itinerary this year and spent the past few days around Kasane, Botswana exploring Chobe National Park and today we visited Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.

This photo was taken last week in the Zambezi Region of Namibia. Every year provides new experiences and opportunities to create unique images, even with familiar subjects and locations.

There will be much to share in the coming days, and tomorrow Mike and I are off to New Zealand to meet another group for a tour of that country.

We are working out the details for the 2025 Southern Africa tour and we already have people on board. Please email me if you are interested or visit our site: https://natexpotours.com/

As always, thank you for for following along!

Colin

 

Icelandic Horses, Up Close

Since my first trip in 2018, I’ve traveled to Iceland several times and have photographed the iconic horses in several locations under varying light, weather, and backgrounds, most often with a telephoto lens. This year I decided to switch to a wide-angle and shoot from a lower perspective to capture some unique images to add to my catalog. Most of the time I wasn’t able to see through the viewfinder, so it was a matter of guessing how the photo would be framed and hoping for the best. In the end, I captured some of my favorite photos of Icelandic horses to date!

We’ll be returning to Iceland to lead a tour in June of 2026. Please email me if you are interested or visit our website: https://natexpotours.com/. We do have a few spots left in this year’s October Namibia tour, as well as New Zealand in November…

Thank you for following!

Colin

 


Arctic Terns in Black & White, Hofsós, Iceland

On the last full day of the Iceland tour, if weather allows, we drive around the Troll Peninsula from Akureyri back to Reykjavik. It adds a few hours to the drive and the road is narrow and winding with tunnels, tour busses, sheep, and cliffs that loom several hundred feet over the Norwegian Sea below. But the north coast is stunning, rugged, and beautiful, and is one of my favorite areas to photograph, so it’s worth the extra hours of (very focused) driving. We always stop in Hofsós to photograph Icelandic horses framed by the ocean and purple lupine flowers.

This year, after photographing horses, I trained my lens on the arctic terns flying overhead. The sky was moody, so I envisioned black & white images that would convey the sharp lines and detail in the terns, as well as the Icelandic weather. I hope you enjoy the images.

As always, thank you for following, and please message me if you are interested in joining one of our adventures. The next Iceland tour will be in June of 2026.

 

Colin

 


Skógafoss with Lupine

Beginning last year, we moved our Iceland tours from August to June to take advantage of the abundant birdlife and wildflowers, particularly the lupine. Lupine is not native to Iceland and in fact, the seeds were brought over from Alaska. In 1945, a botanist named Hákon Bjarnason visited Alaska to select plants he thought would thrive in Iceland’s harsh conditions to prevent erosion and dust storms. He returned with a collection of seeds, including lupine, and from there it thrived and can now be found over much of the country. Pictured here is Skógafoss, likely the most photographed waterfall in Iceland, with our guest Natasha capturing various angles of the scene.

Beginning last year, we moved our Iceland tours from August to June to take advantage of the abundant birdlife and wildflowers, particularly the lupine. Lupine is not native to Iceland and in fact, the seeds were brought over from Alaska. In 1945, a botanist named Hákon Bjarnason visited Alaska to select plants he thought would thrive in Iceland’s harsh conditions to prevent erosion and dust storms. He returned with a collection of seeds, including lupine, and from there it thrived and can now be found over much of the country.

Pictured here is Skógafoss, likely the most photographed waterfall in Iceland, with our guest @tascheski capturing various angles of the scene.

We’ll be leading our next Iceland tour in June of 2026. Please stay tuned for details and me if you are interested in joining one of our adventures. We still have spaces for Namibia this October, New Zealand in November, Arctic Norway in March 2025, and more…

Cheers!

Colin

#iceland #icelandtrip #icelandroadtrip #skogafoss #skogafosswaterfall #phototour #icelandtour #icelandphoto #waterfallsofinstagram🏞️ #waterfallsoficeland #waterfall #waterfallphotographyStay tuned for details or email me if you are interested.

Cheers!

Colin

 

Icelandic Horses, Akureyri

I returned to the US yesterday and have begun editing through my photos from Iceland. This is one of my favorite images of the iconic Icelandic horses, taken in the north near Akureyri. I used a wide angle lens to get a different perspective this time, something different than in previous years. Once again, we had a great tour and wonderful group of people to travel with!

As of now, we are planning to take next year off from Iceland and looking at June of 2026 for our next visit to that country. Please message me if you are interested.

As always, thank you for following along!

Colin

 

Arctic Fox near Vik, Iceland

Greetings from Iceland - 🇮🇸

Today we explored a glacial ice cave near the town of Vik on the south coast, famous for its black sand beaches, and after the guided tour we were treated to a wonderful encounter with an arctic fox! This is my sixth trip to Iceland, and previously I'd only caught a brief glimpse of an arctic fox, so this was a rare opportunity. Our guests were thrilled, as were Mike and I. Tomorrow we will make our way to Vatnajökull (Europe's largest glacier), then to the east fjords and eventually across the highlands to the north.

Cheers!

Colin