Archive for the ‘Caribou’ Category

Blogs, Social Media, Tweets and Gibberish

Sunday, January 24th, 2010
Caribou herd on the coastal plain, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska.

Caribou herd feeding on the coastal plain, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska. Click the thumbnail for a larger, more epic, version.

Hey Folks

Recently I read a photographer ask the following question:

Now I know that blogging gets your profile closer to the top of the heap and web traffic will probably go up. The question is have any of you actually seen a raise in the amount of sales as a result? Is it all worth the amount of time that it takes to do all this stuff?

Now, I hope the photographer doesn’t mind me mentioning his name, but I only do so because this guy is a total BAD-ASS. Readers, meet Mr Adam Gibbs. Adam is an amazing photographer, and I don’t mean ‘amazing’ like ‘oh yeah, cool’ – I mean like his images are simply gorgeous. If this photo doesn’t make you cry, you’re computer is broke. If this photo doesn’t move you, it’s time for you to retire from your position as CEO of Exxon-Mobil, Mr Tillerson.

Anyway, the discussion that ensued revolved, as suspected, around blogging, facebooking, tweeting, etc, etc. Is it “worth it”? (more…)

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Posted in ANWR, Alaska, Caribou, Miscellaneous, Musings, Photo business., Photography, Social Media, Web Stuff, Wildlife | 7 Comments »

Caribou, Skolai Pass and the University Range, Wrangell – St. Elias National Park

Thursday, September 17th, 2009

Woodland Caribou herd, Skolai Pass, the University Range in the background, Wrangell - St. Elias National Park, Alaska.

Hey Folks,

Here’s another image from my recent trip to Skolai Pass. This, along with the previous image posted of Mt. Bona and Mt Churchill, was taken on the first day of our arrival in the pass. Pretty nice day, eh?

These caribou are part of the Chisana Herd (pronounced ‘Chushana’) and are, according to legend, the only Woodland Caribou herd in Alaska, and maybe ought be listed on the Endangered Species Act, possibly the strongest environmental legislation in the US. Woodland Caribou are found mostly in Canada (possibly a very small population in Idaho and Washington – often referred to as a separate subspecies, Mountain Caribou), with the great herds of Alaskan caribou, such as the Porcupine Herd, or Central Arctic Herd of the north slope, like the caribou more seen in Denali National Park, being Barren Ground Caribou. (more…)

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Posted in Alaska, Caribou, Cool stories, Environmental Issues, Landscape features, Mountains, Summertime, Wildlife, Wrangell - St. Elias National Park | 5 Comments »

Caribou feeding in winter snow

Thursday, April 2nd, 2009

A caribou cow digging under snow for food, feeding on lichens and grasses, in winter, Wrangell - St. Elias National Park, Alaska.

 

Hey Folks,

Normally I wouldn’t post a photo of an animal with its head buried under the snow. But, for caribou, this is winter life. Caribou feed on lichens and grasses, and those lie buried, often deep beneath snow’s crust for the long winter months. Caribou have a few options to eke out their winter, and a heavy snow pack in the winter can be a tough gig for them; finding food is a mission and avoiding predators, namely, the wolf, an equally difficult, if not critical, task. So they’ll typically seek high ground, (more…)

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Posted in Alaska, Caribou, Wildlife, Winter, Wrangell - St. Elias National Park | 2 Comments »

Caribou Herd, Wrangell St. Elias National Park, Alaska

Saturday, April 26th, 2008

caribou herd crossing frozen lake, wrangell st. elias national park, alaska.

Hey Folks,

Here’s a photo of part of a small herd of caribou I ran across in Wrangell – St. Elias National Park a few days ago. I visited the north side of the park briefly, before having to head to Anchorage for a week. The north side of the park is so different to the middle and southern side I’ve spent most of the winter on so far (I say ‘winter so far’ because we’re currently in the middle of a predicted 2′ dumping of snow – which, in my book, means winter isn’t over). I my trip up to the northside, coming to the park from Nabesna Rd, has me all fired up already to spend some more time there both this summer and the fall and winter .. I think wildlife are more prevalent on the northside – I saw moose and caribou on one afternoon .. lots of caribou, probably over 300 in a few hours, scattered along the way in bands of between 20 and 50. They’re super skittish though, and difficult to photograph. I spent the better part of an afternoon trying to get close enough for some decent photos, with little luck. This band I found out on a still ice-covered lake, and with a little patience (on my part) and a lot of luck (on my part) and much tolerance (on their part) I managed a few photos. The light was awesome. (more…)

Posted in Alaska, Caribou, Wildlife, Winter, Wrangell - St. Elias National Park | 2 Comments »

Notes from a Caribou Whisperer

Thursday, November 1st, 2007

The Caribou Whisperer

WARNING: – The following journal was sent to me (Carl) from my dad. Read on at your own risk – he does tend to ‘go on’ a little.

JOTTINGS ON OUR TRIP TO ALASKA AND THE NORTH AMERICAN ROCKIES

Dear Blog,

I’m not sure whether that’s the correct way to address a blog, but it’ll have to do for now.

Sorry for the delay in penning these brief notes on our trip to Alaska and the North American Rockies. I had to wait till the ice melted in my veins and the blood started flowing again.

After a very pleasant stay of two days in the lovely city of Vancouver, made all the more pleasant by catching up with an old Aussie mate and his partner, we embarked on our Cruise up the Inside Passage to Alaska. (more…)

Posted in Adventures, Alaska, Caribou, Denali National Park, Katmai National Park, People, Photography, Travel, Wildlife, Wrangell - St. Elias National Park | 7 Comments »