In anticipation of Tuesday's Transit of Venus

The sun as viewed through the D300 and 300mm lens with

homemade solar filter attached

Astronomers and photographers around the world have been fine tuning their photography skills in anticipation of Tuesday's historical Transit of Venus.  Depending on where in the world you live, Venus will 'move' across the sun between June 5th and June 6th.  With proper solar glasses (a pair was included in the most recent issue of SkyNews magazine) you will be able to see the black disk of Venus make its way across the sun.  How neat! 

Yukoner's will see the transit begin at 15:30 and end shortly after 21:30 on Tuesday, June 5th.  This celestial show will not occur again until Dec 11,  2117 (the last Transit of Venus was in 2004, and prior to that, in 1882).

Last night I tried my hands, for the first time I might add, at solar photography.  I had cut out one of the solar filters found on the solar goggles and taped it to the removable filter on the Nikkor 300 f/2.8 telephoto lens.  With lens attached to the Nikon D300 camera, and firmly set on a tripod (with cable release), I aimed towards the sun.  Within seconds it was obvious my homemade solar lens was a success.  See camera settings below.

Now, if we can only pray for clear skies for Tuesday - somehow,  I don't think many of us will be around to see this show again in 2117!

Don't forget about Monday's partial eclipse of the moon!!

I'll post more images of my set up shortly with images from the Transit posted on Tuesday.

Good night from the sunny Yukon!

Cheers,

Claus

More info on Tuesday's transit can be found on Transit of Venus website (click on link)

Camera settings:  Manual focus for both camera and lens;  Vibration Reduction ON,  ISO 250 at f/5.6,  1/125th of a second.  Cable release

Hans Blohm - Member of the Order of Canada

Unofficial Photo of Hans receiving the Order of Canada by 

his Excellency The Right Honourable David Johnston, 

Governor General of Canada

Congratulations Hans on your appointment to the Order of Canada – a recognition well deserved.
The Investiture Ceremony was held this morning at Rideau Hall.  More information of Hans' appointment can be found on the Governor General of Canada's website.
We are all so proud of your accomplishments Hans.  See you soon.
Claus

See post on announcement of Hans' appointment in December, 2011

UPDATE:  Hans was also awarded, by the Governor General, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal during the evening reception.


From the Governor General's Website

Hans-Ludwig Blohm, C.M.
Ottawa, Ontario

Hans-Ludwig Blohm has helped to protect, preserve and promote Canada’s northern culture through his camera lens. An acclaimed photographer, he has travelled extensively throughout the country’s northern regions, capturing images and stories of the Inuit, and chronicling the lives and events that have shaped the region. His exhibitions, which also feature his innovative work in microchip photography, have toured the world, while his photos have graced the pages of many books, magazines and Canadian postage stamps.

Alaska - a weekend getaway

Going for a walk-about (grizzly bear cub)

Grizzly bear cub 

A walk along the beach

Curious grizzly bear cubs

Grizzly bear cubs play fighting

Grizzly bear cub checking out its surroundings

Moose alongside the Haines Hwy

Breaching humpback whale

Partial eclipse of the sun (Sunday, May 20)

Flowering Praire Crocus (Putsatilla patens)

Flowering Shooting Star (Dodecatheon sp.)

At long last the unofficial kickoff to summer 2012 has begun!

Last weekend, during our Victoria Day holiday (four days), I had an opportunity to join a couple friends on a road trip to Haines, Alaska.  Throughout the weekend we were treated to endless photo opps thanks to chance encounters with wildlife, breathtaking scenery and a partial eclipse of the sun.

One of the many highlights of our excursion was photographing three two-year old grizzly cubs foraging on sedges and clams on the tidal flats near the Chilkoot River (Haines, Alaska).  With camera and tripod in hand, I spent close to two hours photographing the young bruins as they went about their business feeding, playing and scouting out their surroundings.  Soft lighting, a vibrant green background and cooperative bears made for a successful photo shoot.

On Saturday afternoon we were treated to an unexpected bonus – two humpback whales breached directly in front of us while we were eating our lunch on the rocky shores of Chilkat State Park.  Unfortunately, for me, I did not have my 300mm lens on hand.  Oh well, watching the whales enjoy themselves in the waters was a sight I won't soon forget.  Apparently, according to the locals, this is the time of year when the whales return to the Inlet to feed on krill.

The first of the flowering plants were also in full bloom as the praise crocuses, lupins and shooting stars added splashes of purple across the landscape. 

The weather did not cooperate for Sunday's partial eclipse of the sun.  Overcast skies obscured our view for most of the day.  We did, however, catch a few fleeting glimpses of the eclipse throughout the afternoon.  I guess we, here in the Yukon, will have to wait until Oct 23, 2014 to see and photograph the next eclipse (that one will also be a partial one).

Roadside encounters with moose, black bear (11 in total), porcupine, elk and mule deer were common occurrences. For some strange reason we didn't see as many swans as we did on last years road trip.

Alaska continues to impress me with its pristine wilderness, snowcapped mountains, salmon filled rivers and colourful folks who call this place home.  I'm already looking forward to my next visit come June.

Ahh, beautiful Alaska!!  We could not have wished for a better weekend.

Hope you enjoyed your weekend.

Cheers,

Claus

Photo info:  Grizzly bear shots photographed with a Nikon D700 camera, Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 lens with 1.7x convertor, mounted on tripod, cable release.  320ISO, f/6, Aperture Priority mode.

Flower pictures:  same camera, Nikkor 105 f/2.8 Macro lens, mounted on tripod, cable release

Super moon 2012

Super moon rising over Pelly Crossing, Yukon

Did you get the chance to see last night's moon rise?  It was simply spectacular.

Last night's full moon was referred to as a "super moon".  The phenomenon, also known as a perigee moon, is caused by the elliptical shape of the Moon's orbit around the Earth.  Last night, the moon appeared 14% bigger and 30% brighter than other full moons of 2012.

For us, here in Pelly Crossing, last night's super moon was partially obscured by a thin layer of clouds.  Nevertheless, the moonrise had a dramatic flair to it.

Super moons occur, on average, once a year.

Check out last year's super moon 

Photo info:  Nikon 700 with Nikkor 300mm with 1.7x tele convertor (total 500mm).  ISO 800, f/6.3 @ 1/15sec. Mounted on tripod with cable release.

The Shorebirds have Returned!

Lesser Yellowlegs

The first of the shorebirds have returned to the Yukon.

This afternoon I spotted four Lesser Yellowlegs milling about on the shores of a partially thawed pond near Pelly Crossing, Yukon.

I'll return there this weekend for more photography.

Nice to see these critters back for another season!

Wildlife along the Klondike Hwy

Greetings from a sunny Whitehorse!

There's little doubt spring is here to stay.  The spruce bogs, forests and fields are alive with the musical chorus of robins, juncos, warblers, sparrows, crossbills and snow buntings.  Flying directly overhead, the first flocks of sandhill cranes are contributing their musical notes to this spring orchestra.  

While driving along the Klondike Highway this morning I spotted a pair of trumpeter swans and a very shy pair of coyotes mulling about.  Neat!

Enjoy your weekend.

Cheers,

Claus

Swans continue journey northwards

Tundra swans in flight

The majority of swans have left Marsh Lake and are now on their way northwards to their breeding grounds in Alaska and elsewhere throughout the Yukon.  What a thrill it has been to photograph them while they were here on their brief layover.  I'll post a few of my favourite images shortly.

Now that the swans are gone its time for the Sandhill Cranes to take centre stage.

Speaking of migrants, I heard my first Robin of the year singing his tiny heart out the other night.  Welcome back!

Hope all is well in your corner of the world.

Cheers,

Claus

   

April Flowers

Prairie Crocus 

It's incredible how quickly spring has sprung in the Yukon.  Two weeks ago we were still covered in snow - today, the snow has melted leaving behind the brown and dried remains of last years plant growth.  Sprouting through this 'mess', the first of the praise crocuses have emerged and started to bloom.  

Every day brings with it a new cast of characters. Three weeks ago it was the return of the swans.  Their arrival was followed soon after by the emergence of the arctic ground squirrels and today, the crocuses are in bloom.  As for tomorrow, perhaps I'll spot my first grizzly of the year :)

Photo specs:  Nikon D700 with a Nikkor 105 f/2.8G ED micro lens set at f/11, 200 ISO, manual settings, overexposed by +0.7, manual focus, mirror lock up engaged, cable release, mounted on tripod

Good morning Yukon!

Trumpeter Swan

Good morning from the Yukon!

I enjoyed a phenomenal weekend with the trumpeter swans at Tagish Lake.  All the key elements I've been looking for - lighting, clean background, blue skies, a variety of behavioural displays, action shots and cooperative subjects - fell into place.  I'm pleased with my images - well over 700.  I'll sort through them in the coming days and will post them shortly.

Hope you enjoyed your Earth Day weekend.

Cheers,

Claus

Earth Day 2012

Trumpeter Swan (Tagish, Yukon)

Grizzly swimming (Khutzeymateen, British Columbia)

Prairie Crocus (Yukon)

Wish everyone a Happy Earth Day!

Enjoy the day.
Cheers,
Claus

Swan Report - April 19, 2012

Good morning,
Here are the latest numbers from the Swan Haven Interpretation Centre on Marsh Lake, Yukon:

During the last few days many folks have spotted large flocks of swans flying over Whitehorse. This is a wonderful sight, but it does mean that our numbers of at Swan Haven have decreased to 550 Trumpeter Swans. 

Lets hope more swans arrive in the coming days....

Cheers,
Claus

Swan Report - April 17, 2012

Good morning from the Yukon.  Here is the latest swan report courtesy The Yukon Department of Environment:

Last night there were more or less the same number of swans at Swan Haven, over 1100, while the numbers at Tagish have increased to 500.  New arrivals, at both locations, include the Greater white-fronted goose, northern pintails, green-winged teals, buffleheads, mallards and Canada geese.

If you are in the Yukon make sure you drop by the Swan Haven Interpretation Centre as they celebrate the annual Celebration of Swans event.  Several viewing scopes, a viewing platform and a walking trail on the ice allow visitors to spot these majestic birds while Interpreters are on hand to answer any questions you may have about the natural history of the swans.  The Celebration of Swans runs from April 14 to 22nd.

I cannot wait until the weekend.

Cheers,
Claus

Swan Report for April 16, 2012

Here are the latest swan numbers from this past weekend:

Wow - the numbers of trumpeter swans at Marsh Lake have soared to 1150 individuals.  Nice to see them back!

Swan report - April 14, 2012

This past weekend was a rather chilly one for both swans and the photographers who chase them.  Low numbers of swans combined with overcast skies, a high of only +5 degrees and a steady breeze created some poor photography conditions.  Biologists believe that a major weather system south of the Yukon is preventing the swans, and a host of other migratory birds, from continuing their journey northwards.  Let's hope that next weekend brings better opportunities  for all.

Here are the latest numbers:  aprox. 350 trumpeter swans at Swan Haven (Marsh Lake).  I spotted fewer than 150 at Tagish.

Enjoy the remainder of your weekend.
Cheers,
Claus

Swan Report April 11, 2012

Trumpeter swan flying over the Tagish bridge

Good morning from the Yukon,
The weather continues to impress us with sun, +10 degree temps and endless blue skies.
Here is today's swan report from the Yukon Department of Environment:

Last night there were 430 Trumpeter Swans at Marsh Lake.  The Canada Geese have arrived as well.
No new info from Tagish.



Photo info:  Same as previous two posts