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

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 - 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

Swan Report April 10, 2012

Here are the latest numbers for April 10th

Marsh Lake has recorded 492 Trumpeter Swans, 18 Tundra Swans
Tagish Lake has reported 360 Trumpeter Swans

New arrivals include Greater White-fronted Goose and the Ring-necked duck.

Ahh, they are back.....

Welcoming the swans and spring

What a weekend it has been! 

Monday morning I counted 300+ trumpeter swans at the Tagish Bridge while at Marsh Lake the official number was 409.  The swans keep on coming...

We could not have asked for a better weekend - nothing but bright sun, brilliant blue skies and plenty of swans flying overhead.  A perfect weekend to welcome spring. 

Hard to believe that the swan population will swell to more than a 1000 by weeks end.  Let's hope the weather cooperates for us photographers.

Stay tuned -  in the coming days I'll be posting more images and share a few thoughts on capturing these graceful birds with your camera.

Hope all is well in your corner of the world.

Cheers,

Claus

Photo info:  same as previous post

They're back.....

Greetings from the Tagish Bridge Recreation Site in the Yukon.
The trumpeter swans are slowly trickling in - today's count was 82 (with another 18 arriving by late-afternoon).  Meanwhile, at Swan Haven (Marsh Lake), biologists have recorded 350 swans plus a few other migrants including Barrow's and common goldeneyes, mallards, buffleheads, redheads, herring gulls and northern pintails.
Unfortunately, for me as a photographer, the swans were too far for decent photos. Regardless, their arrival was a much needed welcome sign of spring.
Despite their distance, a few flocks did fly overhead providing me with some useful images of the swans  framed against the blue spring sky.  All in all I spent close to three hours wandering back and forth on the bridge waiting patiently for more flybys.
Brilliant blue skies, plenty of sun, a steady breeze and +7 degree temperatures made for a gorgeous Easter Sunday.
Hope you enjoyed your Easter holiday.
Cheers,
Claus

Photo info:  Nikon D700 with Nikkor 300m f/2.8 lens attached.  250 ISO, f/7.1, Aperature priority, -0.7 to -1.0 exposure composition, Vibration Reduction set to 'ON'.  Hand held

Rumour has it....

Rumour has it that the first of the swans have returned to the Yukon!!   Spring must be around the corner :)
Hope all is well in your corner of the world.
Cheers,
Claus

Image:  Trumpeter Swans, Tagish Lake, Yukon (April, 2011)

Perfect ending to the day

Crescent Moon and Venus

Tonight, shortly after sunset, the thin crescent moon and Venus shone brightly through the twilight of the western sky.  Thankfully, for us here in Pelly, the clouds lifted in time to reveal tonights celestial show.  Now, let's hope the northern lights make an appearance as well.

Enjoy your evening!

Cheers,

Claus

What to do when it's -45 ºC outside

It's simple - just go outside with a cup of boiling water and toss it into the frigid air.  Within a fraction of a second the water freezes and crackles as the tiny ice crystals create the most incredible ice cloud formation imaginable.
Hey, what else is there to when the temperatures are well below forty degrees Celsius.
This exercise did give me some thoughts about a mini photo assignment - photographing these ice clouds from various angles and under different lights.  Stay tuned!!!

Back in the Yukon

Air North - taken with iPhone camera

Welcome back to the Yukon!
I'm back after spending the holidays with family in the sunny 'south'.

I look forward to sharing more images and stories with you from my adventures here in the Yukon.

Cheers, and Happy New Year!

Claus

Dreaming of Spring....already

Lesser Yellowlegs, near Pelly Crossing Yukon (Spring 2011)

Once again, my apologies for the lengthy delay in updating this blog.  Lots on my mind these days.

Most of the Yukon is finally ankle-deep in fresh snow.  Daily temperatures remain well below zero degrees with the mercury hovering near the minus 20 degree mark during the night.  The days are noticeably shorter and I'm finding it a challenge to catch even a fleeting glimpse of the sun.

As we adjust to another winter season my thoughts drift back to this past April and May when the entire Yukon landscape was basking in the glow of the midnight sun.  Regardless of where one looked, the entire Territory was alive in colour, song and endless photo opps.

I'm finally sorting through the thousands of images of shorebirds, swans, grizzly bears and scenery from that fabulous spring.  Pictured above is one of my favourites - a lesser yellow legs ruffling its feathers in a small lake near Pelly Crossing.  Oh, how I long for those endless days of spring when I can spend countless hours outdoors chasing birds and searching for that perfect shot!

I know, winter does offer the photographer some wonderful photo opportunities as well.  One just has to bundle up and make the effort to get outdoors and search for the image that captures the beauty of the land during this season of pure white snow, delicate textures and the soft pastel colours of a northern sky dominated by the silhouettes of rugged mountains, thick stands of black spruce and soaring ravens.

I promise - grizzly bear images from my trip to Haines Alaska will be posted in the next day or two.

Hope all is well in your corner of the world.

Cheers,

Claus