Another season begins

The lights are back!  Here's to another season of dancing lights.
More to come soon
Hope all is well in your corner of the world.
Cheers,
Claus


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Yukon blooms

Crocuses in full bloom - Yukon

I'm so thrilled that spring has finally sprung.  The crocuses are in bloom, the Canada Geese and Tumpeter Swans have arrived as have the first mosquitoes.  The nights are shorter and the soon the golden glow of the midnight sun will grace us with her presence.  

Here's to a new season to growth, hope and endless photo opportunities.

Hope all is well in your corner of the world.

Cheers,

Claus

‪#‎exploreyukon‬,‪#‎visitdawson‬

Percy DeWolfe Memorial Mail Race

This years running of the Percy DeWolfe Memorial Mail Race is now underway. Yesterday morning, 15 dog teams departed downtown Dawson for their 210 mile race along the Yukon River to Eagle Alaska and back.

The race retraces the historic mail route that Percy DeWolfe used to carry the mail between Dawson and Eagle in the late 1800's. DeWolfe is a legend in this corner of the world as he prided himself in delivering the mail regardless of the weather. This annual race honours this iconic hero. More pictures available later today ‪#‎exploreyukon‬

Hope all is well in your corner of the world!
Cheers,
Claus

Winter Wonderland

Winter Wonderland and the Fuji XE-1

Lately I've been playing around with the Fuji XE-1 mirror-less camera (along with the 18-5mm lens) and have fallen in love with it.  I find myself constantly impressed with this camera and how good it fits in my hand, and how it handles light, colour and exposure. 

Last month I photographed our school's Christmas concert and was impressed at how it performed at very high ISO levels (3200 ISO).  There was absolutely no visible noise.  Fabulous camera.

I can't wait to see how it handles the northern lights.... stay tuned!

Enjoy this week's picture of our winter wonderland!!!!

Hope all is well in your corner of the world.

Cheers,

Claus

New Year Lights

Dancing lights over the Yukon River

Last night the mercury read a chilly -40 degrees Celsius - the first real cold snap of the season.  These cold nights usually mean that we will enjoy clear skies for a few days.  Shortly before midnight, and with little warning, the aurora suddenly appeared and began their dance across our northern sky.  Lovely way to warm up the evening and to begin a new year.

This image was photographed with a Nikon D800 camera set on a tripod.  The lens was a Nikor 14-28mm set at f/2.8.  Since the moon was shining brightly I decided to shoot at ISO 800 ISO and kept the camera open for a 6 sec exposure.

The show is expected to continue tonight - stay tuned!

Hope all is well in your corner of the world.

Cheers,

Claus

Happy, Happy 2015!!

Happy New Year from the Yukon!

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year!  Here's to a year filled with happiness, love, adventure, good health and plenty of exciting photo opps!
Happy, happy 2015!!

Cheers,

Claus

Northern Memories

Inukjuak, June 2006

Teaching in Canada's North has provided me with some memorable experiences and some exciting photo opportunities.  I feel so fortunate to have shared a lifetime of memories with my students, their families and friends from across Nunavik (northern Quebec) and Nunavut.  

This particular photo is one of my favourites from Inukjuak while the residents were celebrating National Aboriginal Day.  I fondly remember spending my last day in Inukjuak with some of the Elders dressed in caribou, wolf and seal skin clothing listening to their stories of growing up in a sealskin tent just like the one pictured here.  The highlight of that afternoon was sharing tea with an Elder in that tent as she recounted her life on the land oh so many years ago.  What a beautiful sendoff that was.

Notice the sealskin kayak to the right of the tent.  

Gorgeous craftsmanship - hope all those skills will be passed on through the generations.

Hope all is well in your corner of the world.

Cheers,

Claus

I'd love to here from you - post your comment below.

Memories of Madagascar

Verreaux's Sifaka - Madagascar, 2006

At long last I've had the opportunity to start organizing years worth of digital images that are scattered all over the place.  Sadly, I've lost hundreds due to my laziness and stubbornness - I simply ignored the advise of professional photographers and did not make the commitment to make backup copies of my images.  One image that thankfully survived my stupidity was of this sifaka taken while I was in Madagascar in 2006.  I'd love to return someday soon.

Hope all is well in your corner of the world.

Cheers,

Claus

Welcome back!

Grizzly Bear - Khutzeymateen Prov Park, BC

Greetings once again! 

My apologies for the lack of postings during the past year.  Enough of the procrastinating, time for some action and to finally follow what my heart, and countless friends, have been telling me all along - "Claus, get back behind your camera and start capturing the world as you see it!!!".  Stay tuned!!!

Hope all is well in your corner of the world.

Cheers,

Claus

Rough Guide USA

At long last the 11th edition of the Rough Guide to USA has arrived in book stores across the country.

This latest edition is fully redesigned and includes a fresh new contemporary design, world-class photography and up-to-date maps.  In the guide you will also find my revised chapter on Alaska which highlights the many places to visit and experiences to cherish.

In the coming days I will list my top 10 places/and activities to experience while visiting the great state of Alaska.  Some of my most memorable moments include kayaking amongst the glaciers, dog sledding on top of a glacier, photographing grizzly bears in a remote wilderness reserve, rafting the Tatshenshini and Alsek Rivers, and driving the famed Top of the World Hwy.  Too many places....

If you have a few minutes check out your local bookstore or the on-line stores for your copy of the Rough Guide to USA.  You can also check out RoughGuides.com for the latest news.

Hope all is well in your corner of the world.

Cheers,
Claus

Celebration of Swans

Exciting news!  My image of a swan has been selected for this years Celebration of Swans poster.  The festival runs from April 12 to 20th and focuses on the return of the swans at Tagish and Marsh Lakes (an hour or so south of Whitehorse, Yukon).  

The return of the trumpeter and tundra swans officially marks the beginning of spring here in the Yukon.  Needless to say I look forward to spending time photographing their arrival.  In the mean time, I'm working with the folks at Outcrop Designs to update my webpage so that you can check out the latest images of the swans return.  

Hope all is well in your corner of the world.

Cheers,

Claus

Click on Celebration of Swans for more information on this years festival.

Happy New Year!!

Wishing you another year filled with good health, happiness, adventures and endless photography opportunities. 

Happy New Year!!

Cheers,

Claus

Merry Christmas

Frosty trees along the Yukon River

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and the Happiest of New Years!  Here's to another year filled with good health, joy, love and endless photography opportunities.
Cheers,
Claus

I'm back!!!

Dancing lights, Yukon Canada

Nikon D800, Nikkor 24-70 f/2.8

ISO 1200, 15 sec exposure

My apologies for the lengthy absence from my blog and photography.  From now on I'll be posting on a regular basis - promise!  

Last night the northern lights returned to our northern skies. It was well worth the effort to bundle up and spend a few minutes photographing the lights despite the fact it was a bone chilling -35 degrees Celsius.  

This was to have been the week that astronomers and photographers across the North were hoping to spot and photograph Comet Ison as it graced the wintery sky.  Sadly, the supposed Comet of the Century, did not survive its close encounter with the sun on Nov 28th.  Many of us were hoping for a repeat performance of Comet Lovejoy's stunning display in the southern hemisphere in 2011.  Oh well, next time!

Hope today's blog finds you all well in your corner of the world.

Good to be back on-line.

Cheers,

Claus

Rough Guide to Canada (8th edition)

At long last the latest edition of the Rough Guide to Canada has arrived in book stores across the country!


The new Rough Guide to Canada is fully redesigned and includes a fresh new contemporary design, world-class photography and accurate maps.  In the guide you will also find my updated chapter on The North which highlights the must see places in Nunavut, NWT, Yukon, northern BC & Alberta as well as Haida Gwaii.

Designed to make finding information easier and packed with more feature boxes, itineraries and recommendations, this new full-colour Rough Guides makes it easier than ever to make the most of your time on Earth!

All Rough Guide publications are available in most major book stores and on on-line sites.  Check out RoughGuides.com for the latest news.

My work continues with Rough Guides as I have recently been asked to rewrite the Alaska Chapter for the 11th edition of the Rough Guide to USA.

Hope all is well in your corner of the world,

Cheers,
Claus

Portrait of a Red Fox

Red Fox, Pelly Crossing (Yukon)

Greetings once again from the Yukon!  Spring has been late in coming, but thankfully the temperatures warmed up to above the 20 degree mark and the snow has finally stopped falling.  Hard to believe that we experienced blizzard-like conditions during the May long weekend.  The leaves are out, the sun is in its glory, the birds are singing their tiny hearts out and the grizzlies are out and about with their new born cubs.  The Yukon has finally come back to life after a very long, and cold, winter.

Last night a red fox decided to pay us a visit while friends and I were enjoying the first BBQ of the season.   Cute little fella!

Hope you are all enjoying the sights and sounds of spring.

Cheers,

Claus

Celebrating Earth Day 2013

Return on the Swans

Tagish Lake, Yukon

Today is a day to celebrate the fabulous diversity of life, cultures, languages, music, landscapes and the history of our Planet.  Happy Earth Day all!

Cheers,

Claus 

Heavenly Encounter

Heavenly Encounter - Comet PanSTARRS (Right) sails 

past the Andromeda Galaxy on April 4, 2013

A once-in-a-life time opportunity to photograph two famous heavenly bodies in the same frame occurred on late in the evening on April 4th when, to the delight of stargazers across the northern hemisphere,  Comet PanSTARRS sailed by the Andromeda Galaxy.  Stunning!!!  I used the Nikor 300mm lens at f/3.5, 15 sec exposure at 1600 ISO to capture the heavenly encounter.

Even though the pair seem relatively close together, Andromeda is in actual fact 2.5 million light years away.  Tonight, Comet PanSTARRS continues to sail back into the outer reaches of our solar system.  It is due back to grace our evening skies in 106,000 years!!!

It was wonderful to have spotted and photographed the comet during the past few weeks.  Comet PanSTARRS provided us all with a taste of better things to come.  In November, if all predictions come true, a much more dramatic comet, Comet ISON, will grace the evening sky with its presence.  Astronomers believe that it is related to the Great Comet of 1680.  If all predictions come true, this comet will be the comet of the Century as it may very well be seen during daylight hours too.  Fabulous days to come!!!  Stay tuned for updates.

Hope all is well in your corner of the world.

Cheers
Claus



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Its official - spring has sprung!!!

Trumpeter Swans 

It's official - spring has finally returned the Yukon! 

Last weekend 42 trumpeter swans arrived at Marsh Lake (south of Whitehorse).  Their spring migration has begun.  Think it's time to dust off the camera, clean sensors, empty memory cards, check gear and head down to Marsh Lake....

Hope all is well in your corner of the world.

Cheers,

Claus

An evening with Pan-STARRS

Pan-STARRS sailing through the night sky

near Pelly Crossing, Yukon

Comet Pan-STARRS continues to quietly sail across the evening sky as she makes her way to the far reaches of our solar system.  Last night, the sky over Pelly was crisp and clear; ideal for an intimate photo shoot with this month's celestial treat. 

  

I spent close to an hour photographing Pan-STARRS against a foreground of black spruce and birch trees.  The temperature had started to drop and a slight breeze signalled it was time to return home.  As luck would have it, Betsy, the car I borrowed from a friend, wouldn't start.  Thankfully a group of guys from Fort McPherson, NWT, drove by offered to bring me back to Pelly.   They were on their way to Whitehorse to participate in this weekend's Native Hockey Tournament.  Thanks guys!  It would have been a very long and chilly night otherwise.  

The local RCMP and I returned to the car this morning, gave Betsy a boost and drove her home.  Lesson learned - always carry a sleeping bag, emergency food, a candle and warm clothing.

Last night's images were taken with the Nikon D800 and Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 lens.  Camera was set to ISO800, f/3.5 and 5 sec exposure.  Images were taken between 10:15 to 11:00 pm.

The days are certainly getting longer in the north.  Now, if only the temperatures would warm up.

Hope all is well in your corner of the world.

Cheers,

Claus