crafterwantabe Loc: Mn

Beautiful

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

Hi Robert, thanks for looking. Actually I didn't quite know what to expect in and around Barrow. I also went with a small group of photographers lead by Bryan Holiday. I met Bryan several years ago when he was still living in Arizona, but now Illinois. Brian is an excellent avian photographer, but more importantly, he knows his birds, how to find them, and how to get close. You may want to check out his website. He has recently joined Lindblad's expedition team (National Geographic's tour company) as well operates privately leading small photo tours. With an educational background in natural history, he is an excellent teacher and has the has the patience to give his clients excellent field experiences. Whether the client's simply wants a record of seeing a particular species, or spending all the time necessary to get "the shot", Bryan will give you the time to satisfy your goals.

I never would have chosen Barrow as a destination, but following a friends suggestion to join the group and wanting to have the experience with Bryan in the field, I decided to tag along. I hope your seeing a few of my photos helps demonstrate it was a good decision.

We spent about 5 days on the tundra around Barrow chasing birds. Apparently late June is a good time to go with most of the birds finishing their norther migration and in the process of nesting with eggs. With the birds on nests they will tend to stay in relatively the same location giving the photographer ample opportunities. And with the sun up basically 24 hours per day, you can stay out in the field as long as you like. For instance, on more than one occasion we were still out shooting at 2AM. Sleep was not on the agenda. The goal of getting back to your hotel room was to download your images, recharge your batteries and take a quick nap before heading back out in the field. It was non-stop.

Seeing Barrow itself was another experience. The thing that gave me the best reminder of where I was located on the globe was the angle of the communication satellite dishes. They were pointed straight south on the horizon. We typically think of satellites as up in space, but no, from Barrow, they orbit laterally to your location. I will say that the town itself was a bit of a disappointment, trash and debree everywhere. Being dark all winter, I guess people really can't see their surroundings and during the summer there is too much to do to spend time cleaning the place up. IMO, it is kind of a shame, but who am I to tell people how to live. We found the locals to be very friendly and very proud of their heritage. A tour of the cultural center gave me a much better understanding of how the natives lived and their customs. But the town again is another example of the poor status of many native Americans. Interestingly, the town was without your typical communication services. The main physical line providing internet and cell phone service was severed by a wandering iceberg and most of the town could not reach out except for local services. Another realization came when I learned there are not roads coming into Barrow from the south, at least during the summer. Air and sea (once the sea ice melts) are the only way to get there. During the winter however, with the sea ice, one can drive to Prudo Bay and them pick a road to Fairbanks. We heard some stories from those who have taken that drive.

Anyway, I could go on. It was a great trip, but not your typical tourist destination. But, for avid birders, we saw many, and for those photographers that don't mind the cold and willing to wear your waders all day and dress warmly, and be willing to sit on the tundra puddles and ponds, paying a visit is definitey worth the time and expense.

Hope you enjoyed the photos. I have more to share, but going thru some 20,000 images will take me some time to process.

MT native Loc: Big Sky Country — Montana

Outstanding capture. That loon species is different than what we see in Montana.

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Wow, sitting in icy water just to get the shot takes real dedication. By the way that's a Pacific Loon

ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or

nice

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

Very nicely done. It’s very sharp and well composed.

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

had plenty of layers on including my waders so didn’t get wet. Thank you for the proper id. i began wondering when someone mentioned that the loon did not look like he common loon found in montana and the range of the common loon did k no it extend to the northern cost of alaska. but in fact, the pacific loon does. again, thanks fir the look and thanks for the proper id.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

Actually this appears to be and Arctic Loon, also called the Tundra Loon. It closely resembles the Pacific Loon but has a flatter crown on it’s head and a white patch on the rear that the Pacific Loon doesn’t have. It’s easy to mistake one for the other.

prcb1949 Loc: Ex Zimbabwe - Now UK

Aaah so that's how you did it. Nice result !

Boris77

Excellent.
I am surprised that the shore line remains above the bird (as it should) as low as you go.
Your waders are another reason I do not pursue wildlife photography.
Boris

jdtonkinson Loc: Red Wing, MN

Wonderful photo and bird

PierreD

Great photo, but... NOT a Common Loon, but rather a PACIFIC LOON.

PierreD

Arctic Loon during breeding season only in W. Alaska, normally absent from Barrow area.

rrozema Loc: Sacramento, California

Great picture. Of note per E bird it's probably an Artic Loon

water falls Loc: Green Bay,Wi

Beautiful capture.!