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Why Alaska?

As a person who loves photography and being outdoors, it was only natural for me to combine the two. I could say it was one of the main reasons that pushed me towards the field of wildlife photography. Alaska is a place that truly puts any outdoor person to the test. Yet, there is a heavy addiction to the wildlife in Alaska, and it is one of the reasons why I’ve chosen to explore here. I’ve been asked many times, “Why Alaska?”, to which I have always responded with, “Why not?”. I do understand that most wildlife photographers prefer the temperate, tropical climates in Africa and Asia. While I cannot deny the majestic beauty of a sunrise over the savannah, or the sun baked sands of the Sahara, Alaska’s cold peaks, harsh terrain, and untamed beauty stole my heart from the start.

When searching for locations to photograph, you will hear Alaska being mentioned quite a few times. The same was true for me. Meeting other wildlife photographers, I heard them talk reverently about their experiences in Alaska. Yes, there were some who didn’t have a great experience, but they all agreed on the undeniable beauty of Alaska and the magic of the place. The reverence they had regarding Alaska piqued my interest, and the images they shared with me had me itching to go and see the place for myself.

Each of them unanimously agreed that Alaska was one place that changes your perspective; not only on photography but also on life. The landscape is breathtaking, even in pictures, and at that point I could only imagine how it would look when I could see it with my own eyes. Apart from the myriad of useful tips and tricks that I garnered from them, there was one important lesson that resonated with me. This is not a location where you just go and click a picture; visiting Alaska is akin to taking a spiritual journey. Having made the trip, I can say that this is in fact true.

Alaska is a gorgeous mystery and a treat for any wildlife photographer. Thanks to Diane McDowell, I was able to spend the majority of May 2017, in Alaska, where I was busy photographing the wildlife of Glacier Bay National Park. I spent a considerable amount of time exploring the wilderness on my own; my only companions being my trusty camera and the wildlife around me. Somewhere along the way, I fell in love with this wild, untamable land, and I decided to extend my stay here with some help from the locals; Mariah, Danielle, Brenda, and Logan.

The landscape and the wildlife of Alaska are breathtaking. There are places so pure in this majestic locale, that the they appear untouched by mankind. The landscape is refreshing and revitalizing. Many photographers have claimed to feel this indescribable bond with nature. A number of us have come back with a strengthened belief in the presence of something bigger than any of us, when standing at the foot of Alaska’s famed mountains and glaciers. It isn’t just the landscape that makes Alaska so attractive. It’s the feeling of being swallowed up by serene beauty and magnificence, while remaining one with the Universe.

A Rich and Diverse Culture

Alaska’s native cultural roots have also persevered through time, and it has very slowly evolved to create a mix between the old and the new. The remote position of Alaska on the map is the main reason it remains relatively untouched. Despite this aspect, Alaska is a cultural hotspot, containing a mix of Native cultures that cannot be found in any other state in the US. Alaska contains a total of 11 different cultures, each with their own language and dialect.

In larger communities and cities such as Anchorage, Fairbanks, Sitka and Kodiak, there is an intermingling of these cultures with modern life that is both entrancing and magical to see. The further you move away from these larger cities, the more you get to see the traditional and native culture of Alaska resonate around you. Many communities still rely on traditional means of gathering resources.

From fishing to hunting, and harvesting other resources, each and every step is taken in a manner that respects nature. It goes without saying that the Alaskan natives are deeply spiritual and believe in establishing a strong connection with Nature. Their legends and stories all share a similar belief and philosophy, even if the languages differ in various communities and localities. This intermingling of different cultures has helped to establish an extremely diverse community.

Native handiwork is also easily found, and there are various museums that showcase various artifacts and fine art. Other areas remain historical landmarks and shed more light on the rich and diverse history of Alaska. In my opinion, a trip to Alaska is never complete without paying homage to the Natives who truly understand and respect this wild land.

Nature’s Little Playground

When it comes to the natural beauty of Alaska, it has been truly blessed. The towering mountains, frozen tundra plains, wild rapids, waterfalls and icy glaciers are beautiful to behold. If you’re looking for diversity in landscapes, Alaska has the best to offer. From sunrise to sunset, you will find it very difficult to keep your hand off the shutter button on your camera.

Alaska has sprawling isolated landscapes, punctuated with mountains and hills in the distance. Spring and summer are wonderful times to photograph, because the tundra is in full bloom, and there is plenty of activity to see. One of the best aspects of Alaska is that it definitely changes with the seasons. Winter will show you a very different side of Alaska; one that you might have previously never experienced.

Whether you’re going in the summer or during the winter, you can photograph the same landscape. You will be amazed at the way the lighting changes at different times of the day and still marvel at the results you produce. During the winter months, you can expect to find a lot more snow. Glaciers will have solidified; lakes, rivers and even waterfalls will be frozen with a crystalline ice, while the woods and forests will be blanketed with snow that is mesmerizing to behold.

One of the most magical parts about photographing Alaska is when you have the chance to view the Aurora Borealis, aka the Northern Lights. There are certain times of the night, particularly during fall and early spring, where the close proximity to the North Pole and the atmospheric environment allow you to see the skies of Alaska light up with different hues of green, yellow and pink. This is one of the most magical and ethereal sights you can see and photograph in Alaska. You don’t have to travel to Greenland or Iceland to view this spectacular sight.

The Untamable Fauna

For a wildlife photographer, the fauna of the area also plays a huge role, and Alaska is brimming with interesting animals to photograph. Grizzly bears are almost iconic, as everyone associates them with forests and rivers, and they are easily found hunting for salmon and frolicking in the rivers of Alaska. However, they are more elusive to find, since they are rather anti-social and prefer solitude. You can also come across black bears that are more commonly found residing in Alaska. While they are much smaller in size, compared to grizzly bears, they can be more ferocious and fearsome, because they are more inquisitive.

Packs of wolves also roam the tundra, the mountains, and the forests inhabiting almost 85% of Alaska’s landscape. Based on the locale, their fur coats can vary in color, ranging from white to brown, and even darkening to black at times. Known as social hunters, they have no problem hunting as a pack to bring down larger prey, such as moose or caribou, that also populate the plains in Alaska. At night, it is not uncommon for a pack to start howling or singing, and the plains and hills will come alive with a rather unique sound of creatures communicating.

Canadian lynxes, red foxes, martens and wolverines can also be commonly seen roaming and hunting at different times of the day. Caribou and musk oxen are common herbivores that can be found in the open tundra, whereas the Dali sheep and mountain goat are limited to rocky, mountain areas. Moose tend to stay near the woods and forests, but you can still run into them in the plains as well, particularly near lakes and rivers.

The more unique Alaskan wildlife are the whales and polar bears that can only be found in certain locales. Polar bears are limited to Alaska’s arctic coastlines and during the winter they reside in St. Lawrence Island, St. Matthew Island and the Kuskokwim Delta. During the summer, they tend to migrate across the Arctic Ocean, following the ice to cooler climates and frozen locales.

As you get to the coastline, you can find a number of species of seals, such as the Harbor Seal, the Northern Fur Seal and the Stellar Sea Lion, that reside on the shores of Alaska. The rocky slopes near the sea also provide a nesting ground for the horned puffins, as well as the tufted puffins, during the summer. The sea is also populated with various species of whales, with the Orca being seen most often. Whale watching and whale photography are also very popular, as you can easily see Gray Whales, Humpback Whales, Blue Whales and Beluga Whales at various times of the year.

The culture, the landscape and the nature of Alaska all combine to make it a treasure trove that is worth exploring. There is a reason why wildlife photographers tend to come back to Alaska again and again and some, like me, never want to leave it again. Once you’ve been there and felt the magic for yourself, you will see why.