Fresh Sushi

Fantastic image. Was the bird actually sitting there or did you add him? What a capture!

No, DiEtte, I am a purist. There is no Photoshopping or additions of other creatures. What you see is what you get. The bird was perched in a most nonchalant fashion hoping for a morsel of fish after the bear nailed the poor salmon. At Brooks Falls there are always other creatures waiting for a chance to snag dinner! Thank you for your encouraging comment. Whalegeek (who also happens to be a Beargeek)

I love seagulls – they are so “don’t mind me, just go about your day like I’m not even here, la la la…”

Wonderful capture, and the seagull really makes it.

A fabulous capture!!!!!

Perfect shot!
Right time right place!
How perfect! What a picture to cherish…..

Fantastic. Was just talking with someone else about Katmai.

The Grizzly is magnificent, this is a beautiful shot!

Congratulations on your wonderful feature in Alaska ~ Beyond Your Dreams

Stunning! Even the blood oozing from the fish mouth. Perfect timing!

Fantastic capture! Great title and excellent work.

Great capture !

AWESOME CAPTURE!! ... and now I realize this is going to sound a bit morbid but I just love the blood running from the salmon’s mouth and gills!! Just a spectacular image!!

Oh yeah… Congratulations on your well-deserved feature, Whalegeek!

A great capture for you and the bear – Congrats on the feature!!

Instant favorite!! Unbelievable timing on this awesome capture!! Great title as well!!! Thanks for sharing.

I do love this shot! Congratulations on your third feature in Alaska ~ Beyond Your Dreams

‘Ae, the circle of life. I do love that and it is so true.
It is most definitely The Great Land and I do miss Alaska.

I returned to Maui and have been away from Alaska for over a year. I have thousands of images and no time to upload them. I lived in the Interior for two years and very much enjoyed exploring the wilderness, and I met so many wonderful people. Although, I can do without the excruciatingly long deep dark unbelievably cold winters.

It is interesting how most people around the world think of Alaska as The Land of the Midnight Sun. That is only true in summer. And for many Alaskans, Summer Solstice, which is the longest day of the year, a day when everyone celebrates with block parties and cultural events, a day when you can watch the sun set and rise at the same time as it skips through the trees on the horizon, it has a down side and is also a day of realization that instead of daylight increasing each day as the earth spins on her axis, it is the day when daylight begins decreasing day by day. And you realise too soon winter will arrive before you are ready and be plunged into perpetual darkness of earth’s shadow.

I learned to watch and observe the cycle of life with the animals and plants, and became deeply intune with nature and absolutely fascinated with atmospheric optics, accelerated seasonal changes, waterfowl migration and astronomy. I discovered nature’s barometer and weather gauge, the beautiful Fireweed. I learned that when the Fireweed tops out and blows seed, first snow is only weeks away. It is truly amazing how accurate it is.

I developed a love affair with the sun, having never known such deep darkness in my lifetime such as I endured my first winter there. I lived in Munich Germany for five years, during the time of the fall of the Berlin Wall and German Reunification, when the US first entered the Persian Gulf War. I experienced deep cold in the forests of Bavaria and Austria in winter with white out so deep you could not see two feet in front of you, but nothing compared to the deep flash freeze cold of winter in the Interior with minus -58F or more! Good Lord!! You must cover and protect every square inch of your body. Your skin can freeze within 10 seconds. That is certainly intimidating. I still have all my arctic wear!! I probably won’t be wearing my snow boots, my Beaver hat or Wolf trimmed winter jacket here on Maui but I will always keep them. Oh! And you know, that is another thing, there are many people in the world who are so against people wearing furs. I think they should endure one winter in Alaska and then perhaps they will change their minds. People have been wearing furs for all time to protect themselves and endure the cold. It is the very best of nature’s insulation.

I returned to Maui for a two week holiday during my first winter to restore my soul as the endless cold and darkness was so hard to bear… And when I returned it was two long months later into mid May before the Birch began budding and I thoroughly celebrated the arrival of Spring. I think I knew then that it would be my last year there. I learned so much about many many things and especially celebrated sunshine during the summer months with wandering about and exploring the wilderness as much as I could. Not once did I ever see a Grizzly.

Most days I would go out and return home within twenty four hours, each time with about 6 gigs of images. I have been out for as much as two days alone with nothing but water, my camera, cell phone, extra batteries and a loaded .44 Ruger. In my second summer, the seasonal changes and autumn colours arrived much too fast and I was so amazed how brief it was. First snow in the Interior near North Pole in 2007 arrived in late September and filled me with dread and wonder. Imagine experiencing those two conflicting emotiions simultaneously.

Seven months of winter is abit too much for me. I endured two winters and that was enough. I returned to Maui. I love the vast pristine wilderness, amazing wildlife and diverse culture of Alaska. I have tremendous respect for those in the subarctic regions who have lived there and endured the ridiculously high cost of living and deep freeze winters all or most of their lives. It is a struggle and an amazing tenacity they have.

Completely unlike the lower 48, or anywhere else in the world for that matter, Alaska is a totally different culture and lifestyle and I love it. There is so much freedom.

Oh!! And the permanent fund dividends!!! That was truly awesome!! Last year I received over $3000!! Wow, how cool is that! For many people it is truly a blessing. I wish we had one here on Maui. The cost of living is just as high.

I especially miss the Moose and the brilliant skies. I have seen a sun dog on the summit of Haleakala, but it is unlikely I will have another opportunity to shoot the Yukon Quest and Aurora night skies anytime soon, if ever. At this time, I have no intentions of leaving the island again, not even for a day …..

Mahalo for your kind reply.
Aloha e Malama pono,

Sharon

WOW WOW WOW!!!!!

Fabulous capture!! Should be on the cover of “National Geographic!!”

Mahalo nui loa for your wonderful absolutely fascinating reply. I am delighted to meet you as well Gina. I wish you had posted it here for our conversation thread. Your wonderful intuitive response means so much to me.

At your service, Sharon. Perhaps other Alaska-philes may join in this discussion as well…

Hey, Sharon!

First of all, heartfelt thank yous for sharing your personal memories of time spent living in interior Alaska. That meant a great deal to me for you to open your memory chest of reminiscences. You wrote such a deeply moving account of your life and observations of Nature’s moods in Alaska that I was instantly transported back to the far north. For instance, your words about fireweed being a predictor of seasonal changes and both your dread and wonder at intense freezing cold struck a chord within me.

It is obvious that you ‘get’ Alaska. My husband read your words, remarking that “Sharon is a true Alaska gal, carrying her weapon into the wilderness along with her camera.” It is a beautiful yet forbidding land and, like you, I have tremendous respect for those who live on the edge in the most difficult of conditions.

An aside…my husband’s and my very first Alaskan brown bear encounter was years ago at Hallo Bay in SW Alaska. Our guide, Chris Day does not carry firearms. We put great trust in this gentle lady who possesses an abiding love and appreciation of bear. I’ll never forget that nearly transfiguring moment when a sub-adult bear sidled to within six feet of my husband before Chris quietly said “that’s close enough, bear.” The big bruin looked at Chris, glanced back at my husband and then moved off. THAT’S when we knew we were hooked on Alaska. There was no fear, only exhilaration and wonder.

Although I have never lived in Alaska, I have traveled there several times during different seasons, from the Arctic to the SE, and from the Interior to the Aleutians. There is so much about Alaska that fascinates both my husband and me but it is often so very difficult to explain it to those who live Outside. For instance, to describe how an Eskimo village smells like seal or how the complete silence of a secluded bay almost hurts one’s ears or that bone chilling sub-zero icy fingers of cold creep through the seams of layers of clothing is often impossible. Explaining how tiny villages depend upon whale hunting to fellow whale fanatics is generally beyond my ability. That’s what I mean when I tell you that you ‘get’ Alaska. One has to either live there or develop a deep appreciation without preconceived notions to truly accept the Great Land in one’s heart.

I love the quirkiness of Alaskans. Yes, some are folks who are beyond the pale as happens everywhere but there is quite an attitude of can do up there that appeals to me. The sense of independence and self-reliance exhibited in so many Alaskans is refreshing to my husband and me as it is so rarely found in much of the US anymore.

Your images, both Alaskan as well as Hawaiian are stunning, Sharon. I don’t really know where to begin to tell you which ones I like best of all. You realize you are one blessed woman, living like the humpback whales I so admire, both in Alaska and Maui!

When you wrote of the Yukon Quest, my husband’s and my interest also was piqued. We follow sled dog racing in Alaska with interest. Three years ago we attended the Iditarod, with a highlight being at the fourth checkpoint at dawn to see the first team, led by Lance Mackey arrive at Finger Lake. I will never forget Mackey telling us his story at breakfast about how he and his team had just won the Yukon Quest a mere two weeks or so before. The emotion of that moment will remain with me forever. The rest of the next two days at FInger Lake were pure heaven for us in the midst of 1600 dogs. I confess to getting misty-eyed over these four-legged athletes and how they give their very being to running the trail.

This year we decided enough time had passed since our beloved soulmate dog had passed away, finally becoming ready to adopt another shelter dog. We chose the Inupiaq name Qimeq (dog) for our new son before we even met our new dog. As it turned out, DNA studies revealed our pound puppy has SIberian husky in him, befitting his Eskimo name very well! I’m not certain QImeq is Yukon Quest material but our second-chance dog has the heart of champion in him. While most people in our neck of the US’ Midwest cannot even pronounce our dog’s name, it’s a connection with the wild northern land we love pretty much above all other places on earth.

Lately we’ve been following the eruptions of Redoubt Volcano (I included a link to the up to the minute volcano eruption site below). Redoubt is burping with regularity—-it was great to see photos of the erupting volcano posted by a friend who has a beautiful fly-in lodge near Lake Clark. James took the posted photos as he flew his light aircraft back and forth to his permanent home in Soldotna. Thought you might enjoy having a look at what is going on near your old stamping ground.

http://www.avo.alaska.edu/activity/Redoubt.php

I see you live in Makawao. While in Maui I NEED to be near the whales although my husband and I discussed that next time we find ourselves on the island we’d like to return to the upcountry. What a special place that is with the green grassy slopes filled with horses and stunning sights. The coolness of the upcountry is so appealing. You truly have a knack for choosing stunning places to live!

It has been a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Sharon as well as for you to share your Alaskan experiences with me. The Great Land is truly a place that works magic upon one’s soul and it’s clear that you were touched by it’s binding spell. Thank you for sharing a part of your life with me via RedBubble! I look forward to hearing more from you.

All the best,
Whalegeek

A fantastic image. What a great time you must have capturing these images…

What an amazing capture – well composed

Grisly grizzly and a great shot, particularly with the calm seagull biding its time. It is, as you mention above, all part of the diversity of the species up here, although I prefer not to see it in person. I just won’t show this photo to my husband. Our houseguests visit Katmai, but we have not – yet. Your photos are stunning. Great whale captures!

Thanks so very much for all the positive reinfocement you have offered me. I am only just beginnning to explore my love for photography and added to my love of animals, flora and especailly rodeo I am having a ball…

Aloha Gina! Congratulations on your feature in All Countries ~ Wetlands, Ponds, Lakes and Rivers

Remarkable! Just fascinating!

Congratulations on your feature! Absolutely wonderful!

What a fabulous capture!

Great catch…..for both of you!!

Amazing photography to the least . I am so jealous right now.. I have never seen a bear with my own eyes that was not in a zoo. Would love to get a shot like this and see this happening.. Seagull to boot too. Your gallery is delightful indeed~.:)))

Awesome photo and if the gull isn’t careful he maybe next. I’m hoping you had “Ole Bess” loaded and ready at your side. I’ve been this close to a puma and that just ain’t far enough away. The clarity of your capture is excellent.

What a remarkable photo. Three unique beings all twined together to make this image amazing. The predator, the opportunist and the one who brings them all together.

this image just blows my mind! the timing
the action, the energy
the fish, the gull and the bear
what a trio
and the blood dripping from the fishes mouth
where’s adgray?
someone write a poem about this
i love it

What an amazing capture! Love the gull waiting patiently for the leftovers without a care in the world that the bear could turn his direction. Beautifully done!

SUPERB, Gob smacking, Great timing. super action shot, good lighting. Instant fave

Great shot and the seagull looks so nonchalant! Lovely!

Super bear pics too, love this one specially.

WOW, excellent shot, great timing and such a fantastic composition!! Truly a master piece of work!! Nicely done.
Brendan

oh my gosh, unbelievable capture!!!!!!!!! You have such a treasured gift! I look forward to seeing more of your incredible work. I’ve always wanted to go to Alaska, all my life really… this just, ROCKS! Need I say more? : )

Wow, this is something! I love the details here – trickle of blood from the salmon’s mouth and the seagull waiting for scraps… Awesome timing! :)

This is a perfect moment captured. Between the blood pouring out of the fish’s mouth, to the gull sitting there…really can’t get much better!

Stunning shot….!! Love the way the seagull is just stood there watching!!