It is Fall now, but on a summer’s day a few weeks ago. we stood and watched the cormorants as they basked in the sunshine.
On a Summer’s Day
It’s time . . .
. . .for orange and brown leaves, warm socks, and PUMPKINS! Fall is my favorite season, so you have been warned that the occasional pumpkin will be featured here!
This is a Lensbaby photo converted to a black and white for my photo club’s monochrome challenge this month.
The Swoop
Today’s image is yet another in my series of gulls captured with intentional camera movement. This gull was photographed “mid-swoop” as it flew over Katsitsna Bay in the early evening. The unpredictability of the result is a big part of the fun of doing this type of photography.
SO_O_O_O BIG
Cormorants at Watson Lake
Night Wings
I just finished reading the deep, dark, soulful Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy for our book group. There is beautiful, evocative writing, an intriguing plot, some romance and tragedy- all within the framework of the last migration of arctic terns in a time when climate change has wreaked havoc on the animal kingdom. I didn’t set out to create this image in response to what I read, but the subconscious is an amazing thing. And I highly recommend the book!
Cormorant Tableau
Spotted on one of our walks at Watson Lake.
Otter
Seeing otters is always a major highlight of any boat trip in Alaska, and we were able to see quite a few off Gull Island. Otters are always special to our family, because our oldest grandson was fascinated with them beginning when he was very little and continuing throughout his childhood. Now that he is a teenager living in Alaska, otters have become less exotic to him- but no one can really resist watching the playful antics of these delightful creatures.
Patch of Blue
Just a bit of blue sky was starting to show through the rain clouds on Kachemak Bay- a promise of the beautiful day to come.
Alaska Impressions
An impressionistic view of Alaska glaciers . . .
Flying by
Beach memories from our trip to Newport Beach a couple months ago. . .
Ragged Sun
Ragged sun, jagged peaks- a new image each minute- each second- as the sun descends toward the horizon.
Seldovia
Our cabin at Between Beaches was about ten miles from Seldovia, so we took the local taxi over there to have lunch on the boardwalk. The taxi driver let us out by the bridge so I could photograph the iconic houses on stilts. I was disappointed to see no water- the tide was out. But when we returned after our lunch, the tide was coming back in, so I was able to take a few shots.
Golden Path
The highlight of each day of our stay in the Alaska cabin was sunset. The days were long, but around 11 pm, the sun would start its descent. We sat outside watching the gulls and eagles making their last fishing forays- such a peaceful way to end the day.
Photography note- The sky was not this dark (it’s Alaska in the summer!). I chose to underexpose in order to keep the shape of the sun- an artistic choice.
Still Waters
We were only at our cabin on the MacDonald Spit for two nights, but I photographed this particular boat on more than one occasion as it floated on the still, dark waters of Kasitsna Bay. I think I was drawn not only to the boat itself but to its reflection. What a beautiful place!
Mirrored Flight
This was taken during our stay at Between Beaches on the MacDonald Spit on Kachemak Bay in Alaska. We had beaches in front of and behind our cabin- Kachemak Bay in front, Kasitsna Bay behind. Watching the gulls fly low over the dark waters of Kasitsna Bay in the mornings and evenings gave me a perfect opportunity to practice intentional camera movement techniques to create impressionistic images.
I was happy to hear at my camera club’s online meeting last night that this image won second place in this month’s Open Subject competition. It’s always nice to hear when other people like your art.
melinda anderson photography 