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“Belly Flop” Humpback Whale, Icy Strait, Alaska – Image 2834

Most often when an adult humpback whale jumps out of the water, they clear the water, spin around, and then land on their back. The theory is that the whale's backbone and rib cage can support all of the weight of a whale crashing down on the water better than their bellies that have no internal support. This juvenile whale does not have the technique mastered. It has completely cleared the water and doing a whale of a belly flop. Additionally, I will be one of the two photo leaders on a ...

Tenakee Springs, Alaska – Image 2833

Officially called Tenakee Springs, locals just call it, Tenakee. About 100 people call Tenakee home. Located on the eastside of Chicagof Island, the community's claim to fame is its natural hot sulphur mineral springs. In the early 1900s, Tenakee was a popular retreat for miners escaping the harsh winters of northern Alaska. Now it is mostly a quiet town of about 28 families in 59 households. The only access to Tenakee is by boat, Alaska State ferry, float plane or helicopter. There are ...

“Hanging Out”, Black Bear Cubs, Anan Creek, Alaska – Image 2832

This spruce tree is probably the single most photographed tree in all of Alaska. It is a favorite hang out for bear cubs at Anan Creek. Being very close to the viewing platform, its comfortable branches provide an unbelievable viewing opportunity. The Anan Creek area has a black bear population of some 40 to 50 and another 15 to 20 brown bears. With all these different individuals fishing the creek, the mother bears are always looking for a safe place to store her cubs while she fishes. I ...

Sunset, Lynn Canal, Alaska – Image 2831

I almost never tire of a wonderful sunset shot. This image works because of the moment. Just as the last rays of the setting sun peak out behind the Chilkat Mountains, a small skiff cuts through the sun beam lighting up the water. It is a good image without skiff in the sun beam. But, oh so much better with this added element. So much of photography is about timing and luck, and this moment was total luck. I could not have coordinated all the elements in this photo at the exactly right ...

Killer Whales, Icy Strait Alaska – Image 2830

Killer whales have been in the Juneau area on and off for the past month. There are two types of killer whalesthe resident pods that eat only fish and the transient pods that eat only marine mammals. The more frequent views of the killer whales at this time of time coincides with the spring run of king salmon which are one of the fish-eating killer whales' favorite foods. These animals were in Icy Strait and the images was taken from an Allen Marine catamaran. What I like about this ...

Bald Eagles, Anan Creen, Alaska – Image 2829

Bald eagles get their distinctive white head and white tail feathers at adulthood around age five. Here an adult eagle sits on a branch with a juvenile eagle. I have never had the opportunity to photograph the two age groups together and have not seen any other images of the age pairings together. There was more difference than I had expected or heard of. Besides the tail and head feathers, the beak on the juvenile is black not yellow and the juvenile eyes are black and not yellow like ...

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“As a kid in Buffalo, New York, I always wondered what it would be like to encounter a whale,” says Mark Kelley. Learn more about Mark...