Alaska Pt I - intro and Glaciers

redleash

I am back from a wonderful 2-week trip to Alaska. It could only have been better if I'd been able to shoot more from the land instead of so much from cruise ships, small boats, and trains--but I'm still happy with a lot of my shots. More importantly, I saw much more than I could ever hope to capture with a camera, and I had a great time with my family!

We had fantastic weather, very little rain, saw lots of wildlife, saw Mt Denali on a clear day, ate (too much) great food, won a little at Bingo (which we lost at the casino), and even shared one whale watching waterway with a US submarine. I wasn't able to capture more than a blur from inside the bus, but the wildlife highlight for me was seeing a wolf about 75 yards away! Our departure for home from Seattle was capped off by a clear view of Mt Ranier . . . the weather cooperated with us the entire journey.

I am working through the 2000 shots I brought back. Fortunately, since I did buy that long-awaited laptop before the trip, I was able to organize and do an initial cut each night of the trip. I'm now in the process of copying files and merging Aperture libraries. I will post a few shots from various categories as I go, without overwhelming you. I will look forward to your feedback and suggestions. Unfortunately, I did not do a very good job of identifying scenes as I went along, so I sometimes can't give a very specific location or ID. If anybody recognizes something, please let me know!

To start with, here are a few of my glacier shots, with perhaps a couple more to come later. We spent most of a day in Glacier Bay, which was simply indescribable . . . I will work on words for it when I start working on my trip photo book. Here is a taste. C&C welcomed.

Lauren

1. Reid Glacier in Glacier Bay


2. Hubbard Glacier


3. Glacier Bay


4. My favorite - sailboat in Glacier Bay


5. Evening light in Glacier Bay


6. Glacial Ice

hawkeye978

Nice set of shots, Lauren. Looks like it was a great trip. Look forward to seeing more.

Jaynus

Great series of photos. My fav is definitely your fav.

redleash

Thanks, Tom and Jaynus!

Eia

I bet it was difficult to take all this beauty in! I think there is a lot of wonderment here but my personal favorites are 3 & 4. I like the colors in 3; the water looks so tropical but the ice chunks is a quick reminder ---NOT---! Anxious to see more!

redleash

Thanks, Eia. I was amazed at the water color in some places too--and the warm temps we had (close to 70 some days) with snow and ice all around were a unique experience for me. These pics don't do justice to the ice in Glacier Bay--it was simply unbelievable!

Sam

I'll comment after the green envy leaves my face.

Sam

Snowgirl

Sam wrote: »

I'll comment after the green envy leaves my face.

Sam

x2 Joel (hubby) is also drooling. Did I mention that I get seasick in a rowboat? He's trying to convince me that it would be ok. True?

Can't wait to see the rest of your pics!

black mamba

Good work here, Lauren. I really glad ya'll had a safe journey and got to enjoy a nice family experience. Can't wait to see more of your pics.

Tom

redleash

Aw, Sam . . . but you did get to come to San Antonio this year!

Ceci . . . tell Joel to buy the tickets! You notice the motion a lot more in a rowboat than on a large ship. I did feel a bit uncomfortable early on, but that was likely more due to my sinus infection than the ship. Just take a little antihistamine or two and you'll be fine!

Tom . . . thanks for the nice comment. I'm working on more pics to show tomorrow.

Lauren

Sam

Snowgirl wrote: »

x2 Joel (hubby) is also drooling. Did I mention that I get seasick in a rowboat? He's trying to convince me that it would be ok. True?

Can't wait to see the rest of your pics!

Big boats like the cruse ships don't move very much at all. I would be surprised if you felt any rolling.

If you still think you have an issue send me your ticket.

Sam

BradfordBenn

Amazing colors. Great shots.

coscorrosa

Lucky you! I still haven't been to Alaska but it's high on the list. My favorites are 4 and 5, wonderful scenery.

NorthernFocus

Nice set of photos. You did well with the glaciers. You really hit the weather right. There's no place prettier when it's like that. Looking forward to seeing more of your trip.

Not to be picky but... we don't call it "Mt.Denali". Old schoolers call it Mt.McKinley or just "the mountain". Native and neuvo chic is Denali. Then again maybe Mt.Denali is PC and covers everybody

CWSkopec

My company recently "merged with" (bought out) a company up there in Alaska and ever since I've been trying to convince them to send me up there for a week or two "to work" ever since!

Great set, Lauren! I agree with you, #4 is a beauty!

dls

Alaska is gorgeous and its landscape so varied. It is hard to find that balance between shooting nonstop in all directions versus just oogling at the sights. It is so great that you have been able to see and enjoy a part of it. Your shots are great. Looking forward to more as you sort through the 2K shots.

Wicked_Dark

Thanks for sharing these. One day I'll get up there, but until then I'll go vicariously though your photos.