There's no looking back now!

Bald Eagle, Haines Alaska 

Just a quick posting to say "I'm finally back!!"  The last few weeks have presented me with some challenges and important life lessons, many of which have thrown me completely off course.  Glad to say  I'm back to my usual self again, thanks to a few days of photography in Haines, Alaska.

Photography plays an important role in my life as it allows me to temporarily mask my thoughts of the day.  I've quickly learned, and have been reminded by many friends and colleagues these past few weeks, that there's no better medicine for the mind, body and soul than to spend a few hours behind a camera.  Who knows what you will capture as you step out that door?

In my world it's very possible to be completely caught off guard as enormous curtains of northern lights suddenly begin to unfurl and flutter across the Northern sky.  A few seconds later you're left breathless as a few thousand trumpeter swans suddenly descended, en-mass, onto a nearby lake to herald the end of yet another very long, and bitterly cold, Yukon winter.  Or, for the refined photographers,  one can immerse themselves for hours in the fine details and textures of the delicate pedals of a prairie crocus or be captivated by the elegance in design, form and function of a pod of narwhal swimming gracefully in the icy waters along the Flog Edge in the High Arctic.  All moments, and memories, you wouldn't want to miss with a camera (or sketch pad).

Last week I had the opportunity to photograph some of the 3,000+ bald eagles that have gathered along the shores of the unfrozen Chilkat River in Haines, Alaska.  These majestic birds arrived a few weeks ago to feast on an abundance of salmon.  What a sight it was see so many eagles in one spot.

Join me in the coming days as I share some of those images and stories from the "Gathering of Eagles".

Yes, I know - grizzly bear photos (and much more) will be posted too.

Hope all is well in your corner of the world.

Cheers,
Claus