Mont Blanc - The Highest Peak in the European Alps

 

Meaning “White Mountain,” the massive Mont Blanc lies on the border of France, Italy and Switzerland. When the summit of Mont Blanc and its glaciers appear under blue sky, it is breathtaking.

 

I was exploring the European Alps in July to photograph this massive Mont Blanc and surrounding landscapes. I hiked the entire “Tour du Mont Blanc” trail, 110+ miles (160+ km) circling the mountain with camera gear for 2 weeks.

 

I saw and photographed Mont Blanc from different angles throughout the walk. The French side, above the town of Chamonix is the most impressive. When it’s clear, the white peaks tower above the town. Since Mont Blanc is massive, the mountain creates its own weather, which is often covered with clouds, just like Alaska’s Mt. McKinley. Viewing the entire Mont Blanc requires good luck.

 

What is most convenient for a photographer in this area is that there are some transportation options to take us to amazing vantage spots in just a few minutes using cable cars. These close up images are from the top of Aiguille du Midi (12,605 ft/ 3,842 m). It was foggy and white out when I reached the viewing deck on the summit in the morning. The thick fog slowly drifted away, and Mont Blanc is seen slightly through the fog. It was a teasing. The strong breeze blew away its white veil and the entire mountain showed off against blue sky! The mountain was huge, shining white under the morning sunshine! It was very close to where I was! I kept shooting the mountain while the fog came and went… Then the mountain decided to stay out for a long period.

 

This is the Italy side of Mont Blanc (“Monte Bianco” in Italian). After some rainy days, the mountain showed off again just before sunset. The mountain was still out next morning. The summit was glowing in golden orange with the rising sun.

 

Another image from the Italy side. Old ruins along the trail.

 

Some more images from the French side. From Le Brévent summit (8,284ft/ 2,525m), across Chamonix Valley, the perfect view of Mont Blanc when it’s clear. After several rainy days, finally the weather was nice on my last day in the area.  

I will continue posting more photos from European Alps on next update.

Summer in Chugach Mountains, Alaska

Summer is here! The most beautiful season in Alaska. 

The Chugach Mountains located below the foothills of Anchorage, are covered with bright greens. The snow melt creates numerous streams that rush down the mountains... Under the bright summer sun, the lush terrain shines!

Here are some quick posts of new images...

I'm leaving for my new photo project/adventure to the European Alps very soon... Please check back.

Reflections of Kenai Lake, Alaska

The spring came early this year... In early May, fresh greens sprouted from the ground soon followed by trees turning lush green about one month earlier than in normal years! 

In June, Alaska is already in midsummer! Plants are growing fast during the long day light hours while wildflowers celebrate in beautiful weather. I've been busy photographing the most beautiful season in Alaska.

Kenai Lake is a large glacial lake located on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula at the headwaters of the world famous (for salmon fishing) Kenai River. When the lake is calm, this blue green water reflects the Kenai Mountains... 

I've always been fascinated with landscape reflections... 

It was early in the morning, the rain had stopped, and sky was a partly clear. No wind of any kind giving way to a water surface perfectly still... very quiet. The sunlight came through the clouds right after sunrise lighting the peaks across the lake. The lights on the mountains were slowly descending... I love the patterns of the lights and shade. I was at the lake for a few hours, watching the lights shifting on the mountains.

Another Kenai Mountains reflections near Turnagain Arm of Cook Inlet.

Denali Aurora

When solar activity was high in early February, I headed north from Anchorage to hopefully get a glimpse of the aurora. The weather cooperated and the sky was clear. The faint northern lights arched in the north sky at 9pm which is usually a good sign for an active aurora night. It would finally be the night that I would photograph northern lights over Denali (Mount McKinley, the highest peak in the North America).

There are numerous locations about 100 miles north from Anchorage to view the south face of Mt. McKinley. The north face of McKinley is more well known - famous in postcards and books, etc, however, the best area to view the north side of the mountain is really remote, 90 miles deep inside Denali National Park. The dirt road within the park was still under the deep snow and temperatures could reach -60 Fahrenheit. Only experienced winter travelers with dog sled teams or snowmobiles can reach the area. The more accessible south side of McKinley is realistic option for winter photography.

When I arrived at the one of spots to view Denali, the faint aurora was already fading away... 

I moved on to another location with a majestic view of the Alaska Range. (Denali is part of Alaska Range) I was ready by 11pm, but no northern lights were out... just a clear sky with millions of stars above the mountains. I waited for 30 minutes at 16 degrees outside, but nothing happened. I hiked back to the car and waited... It was a long cold night with no aurora activity for hours...

At 5am, finally northern lights were appeared over northern sky. I grabbed gear and running up to the spot. The aurora was slowly stretch out and waving above the mountain. It was mostly faint green and slight pink at the lower edge. 

The bright moon was slowly setting behind the mountains yielding to an amazing show. 

The lights became more intense and danced over Denali and parts of the Alaska Range. The show kept going for over an hour! 

Dragon dancing over the mountain.

At 6am, the lights slowly faded and it was time to pack up. It was such an exciting morning.

Dreams of Paradise - Hawaiian Sea Turtle

Since my last visit to the Big Island of Hawaii, I'd been dreaming of capturing a certain image - a turtle under warm sunset light. For several months I researched to find the ideal location, the place likely to see turtles, and to be on the west side of the island where the sun sets into the ocean.

In December, I flew to Kona, Hawaii again. It was very nice to be in 70 degree weather with plenty of sunshine as opposed to sub zero and dark (only 5 hours daylight) Alaska!

A few hours before sunset, I arrived at the beach in north Kona. The tide was low on the coast with the old lava rock beds exposed among scattered tide pools. Fresh green algae growing on the rocks added more color. I spotted the first turtle resting on the rocks and soon after found several more spread around the rock bed area. I visited each turtle and carefully observed the surrounding environment.

As the sun lowered its angle, I selected a turtle napping near the edge of a shallow tide pool. I carefully composed and set up the camera. The great thing about photographing turtles is they don't move as much as most other wildlife. While I was adjusting the camera position, Mr. turtle slightly opened his eyes, slowly moved its head, and closed his eyes again; still laying in the same spot.

Warm orange sun hid behind the thin clouds above the horizon and beautiful rays reflected on the ocean and tide pools.

When the sun almost touched the horizon, the whole scene turned to lavender! I kept shooting the nature's magical moment. The colors were changing each second as the sun was setting into the Pacific Ocean. Sunset is quick near the equator. It was spiritual moment on this tropical island.

Fall Colors in Chugach Mountains, Alaska

 

Fall colors still abound in many lower 48 states and other parts of the world this time of the year. In Alaska, autumn comes early, depending on which part. It starts in late August and peaks in September. In my last post, I wrote about the colorful mid September fall in eastern Alaska, near the Canadian border. The following week, the fall colors were still gorgeous in the Chugach Mountains north of Anchorage. The high peaks of the Chugach Mountains were already dusted with new snow. Birch trees were bright yellow on the base of the mountains. Smaller trees and shrubs were turning vibrant red.

This is Alaskan wild rose; Prickly Rose, and its rose hips in autumn colors.

Wet meadows around Nancy Lakes were also painted in warm oranges colors.



Twin Peaks, a part of the Chugach Mountains, rise over golden birch trees and a grass meadow under a blue sky.

I love these dramatic color changes in this northern land. Nature was displaying a grand finale to the short summer season. At this moment in mid November, leaves were long gone, and snow starts to take over most parts of Alaska. The long cold, dark winter with has just began...

Fall Colors in Wrangell - St. Elias National Park, Alaska

 

October is the peak season for autumn colors in the U.S and in many parts of the northern hemisphere. In Alaska, the fall color season starts in August and peaks in September.

On a gorgeous September day, eastern Alaska was painted in golden yellow to vivid red! I photographed the northern part of Wrangell - St. Elias National Park. Birch trees, which comprise a large part of fall colors in Alaska, were brilliant under the sun.

 

Tundra and shrubs are decorated in bright orange to red. These amazing autumn colors are special in the northern region and alpine environments exclusively. I just love these colors!

 



Mount Sanford with fall colored birch.
 

Historical cabin surrounded by fall colored birch.
 

 

Gold was discovered at Nabesna in Wrangell - St. Elias National Park in early 1930s. The Rambler Mine is the remains of an abandoned gold mine. The atmosphere was a bit spooky around the mining ruins.