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

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

Have an enjoyable Easter holiday

Wishing you an enjoyable Easter holiday.
Cheers,
Claus

Photo:  King eider ducklings, Ellesmere Island (Nunavut)

Spring Dance

A recent series of solar flares have triggered some beautiful displays of the aurora.  Last Wednesday evening the northern lights were out in full force as they danced the evening away.  The show began shortly after midnight and continued until the wee hours of the morning.  Forecasters are predicting another show tomorrow night - just in time for Easter!

Hope all is well in your corner of the world.

Cheers,

Claus

Photo Info:  Images shot using a Nikon D700 camera with 14-24mm Nikkor lens f/2.8 attached.  ISO of 800 to 1000, @ f/5.6, 10-17 sec exposure.  Cable release and mounted on tripod.

Swan Report April 6, 2012

The trumpeter swans are slowly returning to the Yukon after spending the winter in warmer climes.  Marsh Lake has reported 123 Trumpeter Swans while I only counted 30 at the Tagish Bridge.  The swans are still too far away to photograph.
I'll keep you posted with another account tomorrow.
Cheers,
Claus

One final show

Greetings once again from the Yukon!

Hard to believe that the 2011/12 season for photographing the aurora is quickly drawing to an end.  Our days are longer (sunset at 8:30pm) and before you know it we will be basking the warmth of the midnight sun.  

Tonight the northern lights put on what may very well have been the final show of the season.  Forecasters were predicting a good show, however, the clouds rolled in before the aurora peaked.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a repeat performance in the coming days. 

The above photos were photographed with a Nikon D700, Nikor 14-24mm lens, f/5.6, 2000 ASA and 10-15 sec exposures.  

Hope all is well in your corner of the world.

Cheers,

Claus

Here's looking at you Jupiter and Venus

Here's something a bit different.
I decided to try my hand as some night time painting using Jupiter and Venus as my brushes and the night sky as my canvas.  With the camera set to BULB mode I focused on both planets and slowly rotated the camera for 6 seconds while the lens remained opened.   I'm pleased with the result (decided to call it "Here's looking at you Jupiter and Venus").
Keep an eye on both planets tomorrow night as these celestial beacons will be mere 3 degrees apart.
You cannot miss them - both are easily spotted in the western sky moments after the sun sets.
Hope all is well in your corner of the world.
Good night,
Claus

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)