The “problem” with Alaska is simple. There’s just too much to see! This was taken around 7:45 this morning. The sky was rather boring, but what a location! I had the whole place to myself for a great deal of the morning. This place would really shine with a light cloud cover with sunrise/set colors… so, I’ll be back.
Eklutna Lake Panoramic - click to enlarge
I just read this on Joe McNally’s Blog. This has got to be THE greatest photography quote I’ve ever read. It will be a great reminder to me for trying days ahead.
Regarding our profession – “We are out there, in the air, in the world. We don’t go to a cubicle farm everyday and stair at dismaying numbers on a screen. We make pictures. At the end of the day, we create something potentially significant that did not exist at the beginning of the day. We go forward, despite the uncertainty. Because this is an act of love and passion, which defies reason and prudence.
And we make that occasional good frame, the one that sings, the one that lifts our hearts and the hearts of everyone who sees it. That well and truly is as good as it gets.” – Joe McNally
I check Mr. McNally’s Blog daily. It’s always timely, full of great humor, and so insightful. Not to mention that he’s one of the great photographers of all time.
Last night I checked the weather. The forecast was for mostly sunny skies in the a.m. – I should have learned by now, the weather people can’t “forecast” what happened yesterday! Oh well… I awoke to my alarm at 5 am and got showered and packed for the morning ahead, out the door in 20 minutes (I’ve got this down to a science now). Stepped outside… rain. Go figure. Oh well, make the best of it. I’ve found that good things can happen with low expectations. I drove north east on the Glenn Highway towards the Matanuska Glacier, heading for one of my new favorite locations, Bonnie Lake. It rained the whole 45 minute drive, and was still lightly sprinkling as I stepped out of my car in the small parking area directly above the lake. The air was still, the water like glass – not a sound. It was still dark, but I could faintly see a low fog over the lake and through the valleys. It was chilly, so I got back in my car and waited. The “sunrise” never came – it was too overcast, and although the rain had ended, I could still feel a damp chill in the air. Once there was more light, I walked down to the dock and looked around. Suddenly the silence was broken by a sound so haunting, it can only be compared to the howl of a wolf, or the call of a loon. But this was no loon, or any wolf. From far across the lake came the sound of trumpeter swans conversing. They sounded very much like a band warming up for a rehearsal. But their call came clear from the north end of the lake, quickly echoing off the sheer rock cliffs and mountains around the lake. It was amazing. I made a video of one of their “sessions”. Now, I’m no cinematographer… so go easy on me. The video itself is nothing special, and the audio was captured using the standard mic on a small point and shoot. I’ve attempted to amplify the natural sounds, but you may still wish to turn your volume up to hear it well. These are the same swans I saw last week, 2 adults and 5 cygnets.
And here’s an image from a little later on this morning, I think it’s a spruce grouse. There were 5 grouse along the road leading into the Bonnie Lake area. They were eating gravel to aid in digestion and allowed me to get within 5 yards or so before flying off into the tree tops nearby.
Spruce Grouse - click to enlarge
Here’s a quick image from this weekend (Monday actually). This was the view from near the Glenn Highway looking south. The Matanuska River is in the foreground. It was a beautiful day, although a bit difficult to shoot in with kind of harsh lighting. It was great to get out none-the-less. Got a lot of scouting for new locations to photograph. If you look at the mountains in the background, you can see the first hint of the coming winter… termination dust. Take care everyone!
Fall Color Along the Glenn Highway
Sixtyone North's Journal 