Onguma Game Reserve, Namibia

Wildebeest and zebras, Onguma Private Game Reserve, Namibia.

Bordering Etosha National Park in northern Namibia, the Onguma Reserve has a unique below-ground hide next to a watering hole, offering photo ops at or below eye-level with your subjects. We spent one morning in the hide and photographed an array of wildlife including wildebeest, zebras, a large bull elephant, oryx, warthogs and more.

We will be visiting Onguma and staying in one of their lodges on Days 9, 10, & 11 of the October 2022 Namibia Tourmore details here: https://naturalexposurestours.com/2022-namibia-tour/

Cheers!

Colin

Wildebeest and zebras, Onguma Private Game Reserve, Namibia.

Himba Culture, Namibia

One of my favorite aspects of traveling to new destinations is meeting and photographing local cultures. I am primarily a wildlife photographer but opportunities like this are truly inspiring and fill me with gratitude.

Our October 2022 Namibia Tour will incorporate a cultural component as well, including a guided walk to ancient petroglyphs, touring a living museum of the Damara People, and visits to Himba villages. Details will be posted in the coming weeks at Nat Expo Tours

Thank you for following,

Colin

Elephants Galore!

This image was taken the same day that we drove through an elephant herd in the Kwando Core Area of Northeastern Namibia (see the video in my previous post). This herd numbered around 100 and crossed a road literally right behind an elephant crossing sign!

Once again, timing is everything...

Colin

The Elephant Gauntlet, Kwando Core Area, Namibia

While visiting the far northeastern reaches of Namibia, we had the opportunity, or rather the circumstance, of driving through a herd of elephants on a single track road with very soft sand. Getting stuck would have proven dangerous as getting out to push wasn't an option. Other than a curious few, most of the elephants paid us little attention but we still took our time navigating through the herd. We were planning the October 2022 Namibia Tour and will have the tour dates and details posted on our website in the coming weeks: https://naturalexposurestours.com/2022-namibia-tour/

Elephant Herd, Kwando Core Area, Namibia

The Endangered Black Rhino

A Black rhino with an avian hitchhiker, Etosha National Park, Namibia. Namibia is home to more than 50% of the remaining black rhinos and Etosha has become a stronghold for this endangered species. In an effort to curb poaching, rhino horns were once being cut off to remove the poacher's incentive but as a keratin tissue, it regrows. You can see the flattened horns on this rhino, evidence that they were once cut.

We will be visiting (and staying in) Etosha National Park on Days 7, 8, & 9 of the October 2022 Namibia Tour, where you can expect to witness and photograph these magnificent creatures! We will soon post the dates and a detailed itinerary for the tour, so stay tuned...

More tour info at: https://naturalexposurestours.com/

Colin

Black rhino, Etosha National Park, Namibia

Mature Bull Elephant, Etosha National Park, Namibia

After picking up additional external hard drives to transfer the mass of files I returned with, I'm getting around to editing through the images & videos from my first trip to Africa. This is one of the first and largest elephants we saw. I'll be sharing more in the days & weeks ahead and we will soon have the details posted for our October 2022 Namibia Tour at Nat Expo Tours so please check us out over there and share with your friends!

Thank you for following,

Colin

First Glimpses of Namibia

Greetings from Namibia! So far, the trip has been incredible. Inspiring does not begin to describe this austere and powerful landscape.

We are finalizing details for the 2022 Namibia Photo Tour and will have it posted on our site, www.natexpotours.com, next month as well as on our Facebook page so please give us a follow over there if you haven't yet.

I will be sharing more in the coming days as time and WiFi access allow. Right now we are in Etosha National Park and have had an abundance of wildlife sightings! These were taken in Sesriem National Park shortly after we arrived.

As always, thank you for following.

Colin

Oryx in the famous Sossusvlei ancient dry lake bed. Sesriem National Park, Namibia

Oryx in the famous Sossusvlei ancient dry lake bed. Sesriem National Park, Namibia

Sossusvlei ancient dry lake bed. Sesriem National Park, Namibia

Sossusvlei ancient dry lake bed. Sesriem National Park, Namibia

Fagradalsfjall Volcano Mini-Documentary

Hello and Happy Monday, everyone! Between editing material from Iceland and preparing for Namibia (next week), there is a lot happening but I wanted to share this video we recently put together on Fagradalsfjall Volcano. We trekked up there 4 separate times when we were in Iceland and I am quite proud of this documentary we created. Click the image below to view the video…

We also have a new YouTube channel for Nat Expo Tours, which we will be adding more content to: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd668DnX0HVJkSH2wW-pLjw and I have created my own YouTube channel as well: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyk_1tMJRT-LwV166he5H7gPlease have a look at the video when you get a chance and let me know what you think.

Thank you and have a great day out there!

Colin

2021 Autumnal Equinox Time Lapse

Happy Autumn to those in the Northern Hemisphere! It was a brisk and beautiful morning to welcome the autumnal equinox. Here's a 15 second time lapse video taken over a 30 minute period as sunlight began to work its way down the Chugach Mountains and into the valley.

It's tough to imagine that in just a couple weeks I will experience springtime in Namibia!

As always, thank you for following...

Colin

Eagle River Nature Center's 25th Anniversary Fundraiser Gala

Hello Everyone,

I hope you’re having a great Monday out there! Hey I wanted to share a big event coming up at the Eagle River Nature Center this weekend. On Saturday, Sept. 18, we will be hosting our annual benefit auction and this year it will be held on the Nature Center grounds. This also marks the 25th Anniversary of the Friends of Eagle River Nature Center organization (I have gratefully resided here for 7 of those years). Tickets are available for the event: https://event.auctria.com/c5dfbb53-8ecf-4be0-bd1c-385f813ad60f/

Food and beverages are included, and there will be a number of great items to bid on during the live auction, including a 36x24” metal print of this moose image.

There is also an online silent auction where you can currently view and bid on items: https://event.auctria.com/.../a780d600ec2e11e9ae081db8308...

We’d love for you to celebrate this milestone with us and support a wonderful organization!

Thank you,

Colin

Bull Moose at the Eagle River Nature Center, June 2021

Bull Moose at the Eagle River Nature Center, June 2021

Eye of the Storm

I returned from Iceland early yesterday and have a lot of images & videos to edit, so there will be much to share in the coming days/weeks. I'm happy we were able to fill two tours to near 100% capacity despite the challenges of international travel right now, and even more satisfied that our guests all had a fun and exciting tour. We had extremes in weather, from high wind & horizontal rain to some of the nicest days I have ever experienced in Iceland, where temps surpassed 70˚F and the fjords were like glass, and I was reminded that you often find the best light during inclement weather, if you're on the edge of the storm or standing in the eye.

As always, thank you for following along.

Takk!

Colin

Rainbow on the beach near Grundarfjörður, West Iceland

Rainbow on the beach near Grundarfjörður, West Iceland

Volcano Video

After lying dormant for more than 800 years, Fagradalsfjall began erupting in March of 2021. This video was taken on August 14, the day we arrived in Iceland along with 6 of the 8 guests on our first tour. This was a bonus excursion for those who arrived early, and everyone was thrilled to have this experience.

Video taken with the Nikon D850 & 200—400mm f/4 lens, edited with iMovie.

Colin

Fagradalsfjall Volcano, Iceland

Fire on the mountain!

Checking in from Iceland where we were able to witness and photograph Fagradalsfjall Volcano along with 6 of our guests who showed up early for the first tour. Needless to say, everyone was thrilled to experience this once in a lifetime opportunity!

I'll be posting more in the coming days as we have time to edit but right now, our days are filled with travel and incredible experiences.

Video taken with DJI Osmo Pocket II, edited with iMovie.

Colin

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Black Bears & Cottonwood Trees

Cottonwood trees are popular with black bears - not only do cubs easily ascend them but the adults are proficient climbers as well, often reaching heights of 50 feet or more to strip and eat the seeds in late spring & early summer. With all the cotton releasing in the breeze right now, it looks like this source of nutrition will soon be gone for the season...

Colin

Black bear cub in a cottonwood tree, Alaska.

Black bear cub in a cottonwood tree, Alaska.

Minnesota Swan Gallery

I recently created a gallery on my website for the trumpeter swan images I took in Minnesota last month if you'd like to have a look: https://www.colintyler.com/wildlife#/trumpeter-swans-of-lake-george-mn/

I've also been adding the photos to my online store (just in time for Father's Day) and from now through the end of June, I am offering 20% off canvas prints and 15% off metal prints by using the codes: FATHERSDAYCANVAS21 of FATHERSDAYMETAL21 at checkout: https://www.colintyler.com/online-store

Have a great weekend out there and feel free to share!

Thank you for following along,

Colin

Trumpeter swans landing on Lake George near my hometown of Outing, MN on a foggy morning in May, 2021.

Trumpeter swans landing on Lake George near my hometown of Outing, MN on a foggy morning in May, 2021.