While I wasn’t so happy with the tour operator on this my second trip to the Norwegian Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, I was able to capture some interesting landscapes and wildlife shots. I was able to concentrate on one of my favorite subjects, abstracts, especially in the glacially carved mountains of Spitsbergen. Also, I wish Vanishing Act didn’t already go to print because I got a couple really good camouflage photos involving a hungry Arctic fox.
Alaska always refreshes me. What with the amazing opportunities to photograph wildlife, the fun people I travel with, and the hospitality of the Alaska Story, that is no surprise. This time we were able to photograph orcas (which makes my photo editor very happy) in addition to all the usual suspects.
On Saturday I leave for Svalbard. Looking forward to polar bears!
I was able to upload the rest of the images from the Sepik before hopping on the airplane to head home.
Traveling up the Sepik River has definitely been a greater challenge than the earlier part of the trip. However, struggle is not without its rewards. References to freshwater crocodiles are in evidence everywhere you look in Sepik tribal culture. The Sepik tribes revere the freshwater crocs since they are the only big, bad thing in their environment (other than the clouds of bloodsucking mosquitoes). They mimic the scales in their corporeal scarification and their houses are made of layered leaves to look like croc scales. Sacred totems and elaborate carvings also colorfully incorporate the crocodile.
Earlier in the week the leading newspaper in PNG, the Post-Courier ran a short front page story on our film project. It is gratifying to know that this project is interesting and important to so many people.
_psEmbed(“https://www.artwolfestock.com”);
Traveling up the Sepik River has definitely been a greater challenge than the earlier part of the trip. However, struggle is not without its rewards. References to freshwater crocodiles are in evidence everywhere you look in Sepik tribal culture. The Sepik tribes revere the freshwater crocs since they are the only big, bad thing in their environment (other than the clouds of bloodsucking mosquitoes). They mimic the scales in their corporeal scarification and their houses are made of layered leaves to look like croc scales. Sacred totems and elaborate carvings also colorfully incorporate the crocodile.
Papua New Guinea is the first location for a Canon Australia film project I am working on with Abraham Joffe (www.untitledfilms.com.au). It has been a couple decades since I have been to the Highlands and I was extremely excited to be photographing the Asaro Mudmen again as well as the Huli and Chimbu. The filmmakers are channeling Baraka (one of my favorite movies), using drones and movement in virtually every shot. Up next: the Sepik River.
I can say without reservation that this trip to Ladakh’s Hemis National Park was a great return to the Himalayas. I found the snow leopards extraordinarily difficult to photograph at close range. And yet with time and serendipity it is quite possible a snow leopard could walk directly through camp. Unfortunately, we experienced neither. We literally worked our butts off. I lost about 7 pounds in a week, hiking the trails every day at elevations between 12 and 14,000 feet. The dance ceremony was at the Likir Monastery, near Leh. Held annually, it commemorates the “letting go” of the previous year’s hardships. While at times disappointing, on a whole, the trip was fascinating and ultimately rewarding.
So begins our trek to Husing, which, purportedly, is one of the better areas to spot the elusive snow leopard as they move to lower altitudes to follow their prey, such as the bharal (blue sheep).
Nestled in the Indian Himalayas Ladakh is one of the best areas to see the elusive snow leopard. I am also getting to know more about the people who live here, and taking in the spectacular scenery and other wildlife.
The first couple days we spent in Leh getting acclimatized to the high altitude before heading out on our snow leopard expedition. The city and the surrounding valley and mountains are home to many imposing palaces and monasteries.
