While waiting for the smoke from the wood burning stove and the fog to clear on the Knik river I decided to take a picture of a random tree.
My other shot from the sunrise this morning. There are a few flaws in the stitching of the multiple images. I decided to post it because I really like the colors in the foreground. This is definitely a shot I'll have to go back to try again.
Eklutna Lake in a deep freeze. The rising sun doing very little to warm the subzero temperatures.
Most likely a set of footprints from a fellow photographer as they passed by looking for that perfect spot, for that perfect picture of the northern lights.
The night lights of South Central Alaska. From left to right. Anchorage city lights, Milky way, and norhtern lights. Taken last night, 1/3/2019 along the Seward Highway.
Heavy snowfall at Virgin Falls in Girdwood, Alaska.
The South Fork Eagle River flowing through a wintry landscape.
Quick trip down to Eklutna Tailrace rewarded me with some beautiful scenery to take pictures of. Alaska has two beautiful seasons. Summer and winter right after a snowfall.
Went out hoping that I might be able to get a glimpse of a few meteors from the Geminid Meteor shower. Was hoping that there would be enough breaks in the clouds to actually see the sky. Well that didn't work out like I had hoped. So I went with plan B. I decided to drive down to Girdwood, AK because I knew that the lights of Alyeska Ski Resort would be on since tomorrow is opening day. Interesting fact. Alyeska Ski Resort is the only ski resort in the world that is located at sea level.
A close up reflection of Portage Glacier. This shot was taken at the end of my Portrage Pass hike.
Alyeska, Alaska
Sunrise today on 2-11-2019, at Potter Marsh, Alaska.
Hoar frost that has formed on a fallen branch at Eklutna Lake. Despite the warm glow of the sunrise, the temperature was well below zero on this morning
The warmest place along the frozen river. The temperature was around -9 F. With the aid of hand and toe warmers, plus multiple layers of winter clothes I was pretty warm. Probably not as warm as the people were around the bonfire.
Finally got some clear sky for a short time tonight. I headed down to one of my favorite spots along Seward Highway. As you can see there was a lot of cloud movement, along with the out going tide made for a very busy image
The often over shot Virgin Creek Falls in Girdwood, Alaska. With a waterfall image I usually shoot a long exposure for the silky water effect, but today I wanted to capture the falling snow in the image.
A close up of the hillside of Potter Marsh during the soft pink sunset from a couple of days ago.
Fresh snowfall and a beautiful sunset. What more could a photographer ask for?
Just missed catching the sun before it dipped behind the mountain. Sometimes you catch them. Sometimes you don't.
The first view spot along Portage Pass trail where you can see Portage lake and the glacier. At this point in my hike the snow was about 1-3 feet deep. I still had another mile and a half to go. It also didn't help that I had a major leg workout the day before. Talk about tired legs. Oh I still had to walk back the way I came.
kThe morning sky was on fire. This was taken from my back porch. Wishing I was in a more scenic location
The twin peaks of Eklutna, Alaska capturing the first light of the day.
I missed the bigger solar storm earlier in the night. By the time I got to the bridge on Old Glenn highway the storm was starting to die down.
Long exposure of 2o mile river as it flows into Turnagain Arm
I climbed a little higher up along the Ice build up to reach the side of Barbara Falls. This hole in the ice reminded me of old lava tube blow holes in along the beach in Hawaii. In particular falling into this hole would be end of story.
Happened to have my camera with me today during the beautiful sunset. I drove down to Potter Marsh to capture the bright pinks reflecting off the mountains
Eklutna Tailrace frozen. This small body of water is rarely ever frozen. The warm water from the Eklutna hydro electric power plant drains it water into the Knik River via the tailrace. After the November 30th 7.2 earthquake the power plant was temporarily shut down. The power plant needed to inspected to insure that the structure was still sound. Luckily everthing checked out and the power plant went back into operations about a week later.
An unexpected surprise as I was hiking around Portage Lake. As the sun finally started to rise the high clouds reflected a large shimmering sun halo.
Took a Early morning hike along Portage Pass trail. Except for a few moose and rabbit tracks, my footsteps were the first in the fresh snow once I got past the summit and headed down to Portage Lake.
I have been waiting weeks for the weather conditions to be just right in Girdwood. I was able to capture the changing colors of this morning sunrise in Alyeska.
Backyard Sunrise taken this morning on 2/7/2019
This shot is similar to one that i took last week along the Seward Highway. Like that shot this shot has the same three sources of light. The northern lights on the left, the milky way in the center, and the city lights of Anchorage on the right. The mountain in the middle is Pioneer Peak located along Knik River.
Matsu teenagers having a good time along Knik river on a Friday night. They were lighting off fireworks while hanging around the bonfire. Overhead the Northern lights were just beginning to get started.
Virgin Creek
Barbara Falls
The Potter Marsh boardwalk in south Anchorage
The first real snowfall has covered the Knik River area with a beautiful blanket of winter.
Finally reached my intended destination of Portage Glacier. Unfortunately the clouds started to move and the beautiful colors of sunrise started to giveway to gray overcast skies.
I have been waiting weeks for the weather conditions to be just right in Girdwood. I was able to capture the changing colors of this morning sunrise in Alyeska.
Blood Wolf Moon
A plane flying high over head leaving contrails across the aurora lit sky of Knik river. Taken on the night of January 4, 2019.
Friday Night on the Knik River
Friday night on the Knik River. A group of teens hanging out around a bonfire. Shooting off fireworks while the Northern Lights dance overhead. This shot was actually somewhat challenging. I had my camera settings set to take pictures of the northern lights on a moonless night. Then the teens starting shooting off fireworks. I had to scramble to change my settings for the difference in light.
Close up of Virgin Creek
Follow the river to the falls. There were so many photo oppritunities along the South Fork Eagle River . Too bad I ran out of daylight.
Winter is finally here in South Central Alaska. The last two days we have had around a foot of snow. Now my part of Alaska is beautiful and pristine again with the fresh blanket of snow. This shot was taken out a Eklutna Tailrace, which is located along the Old Glenn Highway
The beginning of Old Glenn Highway has a great view of Pioneer Peak framed by the surrounding trees.
It's easy in Alaska to feel like you are the only person around for miles.